That is a great question and the answer is YES if you don’t want them to oxidize again. Here is a a great UV protection spray after your restore them: amzn.to/3QbHDpV
@@vedanttoke20 retail kits will have coatings or sealant wipes, but for a permanent solution get some 2K (*not* "2X," it'll have a button on the bottom) clear coat, which is very similar to your paint's clear coat, and you'll never have to touch them again. Check some headlight restore vids for the poop on that.
I had scratches on both of my front headlights. I use 400 600 1000 grit sandpaper. Then, I used a meguiars rubbing compound , then finished meguiars finishing polish . And my headlights look brand new . Just like the one in the video . This guy knows his stuff. Thanks for your help.
Thanks, loads. I just watched this, then pretty much used the same techniques, rushed into the garage, took all the scratches out of my dive computer's plastic cover, and polished it up until crystal clear. Great video!
For light to medium scratches or age glazing, I use a lintfree cloth and a product called Novus 123 which is 3 bottles. Two bottles contain a emulsified pumice (right word?) or polishing compound, where one is heavier than the other. Novus is well known among pinball machine enthusiasts, that's how I learned about it. It's made specifically for restoring clear plastic. If you want 100% like new results, sanding out scratches might be the only way, but if you are happy with just restoring optical clarity, Novus will do that without any sanding. Another product that works pretty well is Blue Magic or Autosol, both are metal polishing compound creams that contain a pumice/abrasive. I used Blue Magic on 12-year-old car headlights and it made them clear again in just a few minutes each. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked.
Loved the video, now it's time to try it myself on the honda ridgeline headlights and the main problem the grill emblem is the main problem. Thanx for the content
My 2006 Jaguar X-Type Sport 3.0 AWD has some nice but simple headlight array, mine is almost white oxidized. Changing the halogen bulbs today, one goes, I replace all. I decided to try and cleaning them, but nothing really working well. So, came in and found your video, it's an involved approach, but the results are something I want and being retired have the time. Does appear that there may have been some minor repair on the car before, previous owner, perhaps. Over-spray, I would guess. Thanks for taking your time for others and sharing your passion, you are a true professional. Thank you!
great video, interesting you jumped several grit levels from 600 to 1500 to 3000 and still had great results. i still am finding those small scratches from sanding after p3000, compound and polishing. but i'm doing it dry until trizact p15000 then p3000. i guess those scratches are from the dry p800
Have you tried acetone for the first swipe? Never swipe twice with the same area of the cloth. It will not give you the result you are getting but it will take a lot of work out of the first phase. I do not recommend doing this professionally. It will instantly go through latex gloves. That is ok once in a while but probably not daily. Maybe there are better gloves????
@@FixThisHouse No problem. I really like your videos btw. The guys i saw doing this similar thing on CDs has the youtube name "Gackt Cognac" and the video is - THIS WILL FIX YOUR SCRATCHED GAME DISCS" ... Now he uses a drill, which i wouldnt do, id do it manually. Also i would never go beneath sandpaper 2000 to not go too deep. And NEVER touch the labled side (top of cd)... Otherwise its the same principle as you did.
What a great job with the compound you used, need to do a gauge cover on an excavator kids scratched up, an on a ATV windshield, your job turned out outstanding, what do you think about using the clay bars on plastic first, I have no idea, 👍👍👍👍
can I spray the plastic first then the sandpaper before starting or does it give a better result if you spray the sandpaper first then the plastic like you did in the video 02:50 thanks
You wouldn't believe what my almost 84o Dad and I have done to adapt his offset barrel charcoal grill he bought at Kmart in about 1980 for $99.00 to have a damn rotisserie on it! IT TOTALLY WORKS!!! IM SO PROUD OF THIS AND OF HIM!! We did a pork butt roast for maiden voyage today and it's SPECTACULAR!!
Hi! It’s very possible, but you won’t achieve pro results. If you would like to use a drill attachment buffer it is much more affordable and will achieve great results! Here is the link: amzn.to/3WnKeQx
@@FixThisHouse how hard to you press down when you sand. Just got done with mine buff and polish with a drill and there’s still scratches if not some more appeard. Went from 600 to 1500 to 3000 grit Any tips please and thank you
In my country such sanding materials and equipments and the polish cost thousands of dollars in our currency of which I do not earn in even a year. I guess I just have to drive my old car just the way it is...
And who cares? I mean...it's a taillight assy with scratches... Doesn't matter. I do not understand al these judgemental comments. Probably shouldn't be here if ya don't appreciate someone else's expertise.
Do you have to seal headlights so that they don’t oxidize again or can you just use polishing compound every few months?
That is a great question and the answer is YES if you don’t want them to oxidize again. Here is a a great UV protection spray after your restore them: amzn.to/3QbHDpV
@@FixThisHouse thanks so much! 🙏🏻
I just added this to my cart!! Thank you!!
@@FixThisHouse can I use ceramic coating spray from turtle wax hybrid solutions? They say that it can be used on headlights and taillights.
@@vedanttoke20 retail kits will have coatings or sealant wipes, but for a permanent solution get some 2K (*not* "2X," it'll have a button on the bottom) clear coat, which is very similar to your paint's clear coat, and you'll never have to touch them again. Check some headlight restore vids for the poop on that.
I had scratches on both of my front headlights. I use 400 600 1000 grit sandpaper. Then, I used a meguiars rubbing compound , then finished meguiars finishing polish . And my headlights look brand new . Just like the one in the video . This guy knows his stuff. Thanks for your help.
It's very sad to read how critical people can be when you're offering free expert advice.
Keep doing what you do!
You're doing great!!❤
Super satisfying to see the plastic clear and shiny again.
Thank you DZ! 👍🏽😊🙏🏽
Thanks, loads. I just watched this, then pretty much used the same techniques, rushed into the garage, took all the scratches out of my dive computer's plastic cover, and polished it up until crystal clear. Great video!
I’m glad I could be of help! Thank you so much for leaving a feedback! 🙏🏽👍🏽😊
This is exactly what I came on here to do. Did you use the same grit sand paper as the video? If not, what did you do differently?
@@germsytoad9405 Probably. Or finer. Just go for it. Get finer sandpaper and polish up if needed.
For light to medium scratches or age glazing, I use a lintfree cloth and a product called Novus 123 which is 3 bottles. Two bottles contain a emulsified pumice (right word?) or polishing compound, where one is heavier than the other. Novus is well known among pinball machine enthusiasts, that's how I learned about it. It's made specifically for restoring clear plastic. If you want 100% like new results, sanding out scratches might be the only way, but if you are happy with just restoring optical clarity, Novus will do that without any sanding. Another product that works pretty well is Blue Magic or Autosol, both are metal polishing compound creams that contain a pumice/abrasive. I used Blue Magic on 12-year-old car headlights and it made them clear again in just a few minutes each. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked.
Thank you for sharing your technique Bill! 🙏🏽😊
@@karlwithak. Can't be OEM headlights, ,they are not so cheap. For my car they are around 250€ per headlight and it's a cheap little car.
Loved the video, now it's time to try it myself on the honda ridgeline headlights and the main problem the grill emblem is the main problem. Thanx for the content
My 2006 Jaguar X-Type Sport 3.0 AWD has some nice but simple headlight array, mine is almost white oxidized. Changing the halogen bulbs today, one goes, I replace all. I decided to try and cleaning them, but nothing really working well. So, came in and found your video, it's an involved approach, but the results are something I want and being retired have the time. Does appear that there may have been some minor repair on the car before, previous owner, perhaps. Over-spray, I would guess. Thanks for taking your time for others and sharing your passion, you are a true professional. Thank you!
great video, interesting you jumped several grit levels from 600 to 1500 to 3000 and still had great results. i still am finding those small scratches from sanding after p3000, compound and polishing. but i'm doing it dry until trizact p15000 then p3000. i guess those scratches are from the dry p800
Have you tried acetone for the first swipe? Never swipe twice with the same area of the cloth. It will not give you the result you are getting but it will take a lot of work out of the first phase.
I do not recommend doing this professionally. It will instantly go through latex gloves. That is ok once in a while but probably not daily. Maybe there are better gloves????
so so satisfying, I need to get some bits ordered I think
Thank you!
This is so awesome!
And this same method can be applied to CD discs too.
Thank you so much for the advice! 🙏🏽👍🏽😊
@@FixThisHouse No problem. I really like your videos btw.
The guys i saw doing this similar thing on CDs has the youtube name "Gackt Cognac" and the video is - THIS WILL FIX YOUR SCRATCHED GAME DISCS" ... Now he uses a drill, which i wouldnt do, id do it manually. Also i would never go beneath sandpaper 2000 to not go too deep. And NEVER touch the labled side (top of cd)... Otherwise its the same principle as you did.
I wanted to thank you for this tutorial I was able to polish scratched windows on my caravan. I hesitated before that.
Great video, thanks for posting. Have you tried this method with lenses that are crazed ( i.e. spider cracked) ?
I would love to know this as well.
Great vid. This video opened my mind to fixing things instead of replacing them. :)
What a great job with the compound you used, need to do a gauge cover on an excavator kids scratched up, an on a ATV windshield, your job turned out outstanding, what do you think about using the clay bars on plastic first, I have no idea, 👍👍👍👍
Thanks for making this! My Irreplaceable taillights look amazing now! Should I seal them with a clear coat or something you think?
IS IT THE SAME METHOD FOR SPEEDOMETER LENSES?
can I spray the plastic first then the sandpaper before starting or does it give a better result if you spray the sandpaper first then the plastic like you did in the video 02:50
thanks
Just wet it all down and go!
Try not to overthink the details...
nice! wonder if can I just use my drill with the polishing pads and compound?
Yes there are polishing pad adaptors 👍🏽😊 here is the link : amzn.to/3bH6ClS
Just added a kit of these to my cart, too! 👍
looks very good on video and can we apply 2k on for protection?
What about a flame torch ? I wonder if it works
Thank you 🎉
Great vid and to the point.
Thank you for watching! 🙏🏽😊
ALWAYS applicable projects!!!! Ive been wanting to tackle my headlamps-but felt unsure of the correct way-now ITS ON!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you! I know you will do well! 👍🏽🙏🏽👊🏽😎
Good job,I was just wondering I have 400 grit 800 100 up to 3000,is 600 needed?
Hello
Is it possible to use these materials the interior parts of the car that have the shine of the black piano and thank you
Great vid, thanks! If I just have fine swirl marks, which step do you recommend starting on?
I like the video , can i do the same with the gear shifter
What's all the grits you used ?
Love this!!! ❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you. You're so informative and this is an excellent tutorial.
Would this work on cloudy lenses, too?
Thank you! Yes of course! 🙏🏽😊
You wouldn't believe what my almost 84o Dad and I have done to adapt his offset barrel charcoal grill he bought at Kmart in about 1980 for $99.00 to have a damn rotisserie on it!
IT TOTALLY WORKS!!!
IM SO PROUD OF THIS AND OF HIM!!
We did a pork butt roast for maiden voyage today and it's SPECTACULAR!!
And you helped.
Thank you!
Wait...sorry...wrong site.
My apologies.
Will the sanding/buffing work for cloudy plastic headlight covers?
I'm so embarrassed.
Thank you for replying!!
Excellent work. A lot of work but Excellent job! Saving for later
Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊
Can I do the same process but by hand with out the buffing machine ?
@Fix This House
Hi! It’s very possible, but you won’t achieve pro results. If you would like to use a drill attachment buffer it is much more affordable and will achieve great results! Here is the link: amzn.to/3WnKeQx
@@FixThisHouse how hard to you press down when you sand. Just got done with mine buff and polish with a drill and there’s still scratches if not some more appeard. Went from 600 to 1500 to 3000 grit Any tips please and thank you
I tried to sand and compound and polish and cant get the scratches I made off
Hey i know this is an old vid but does this work with a guitar back plate?
Hi just want to know how long did this take and is it good for a sound system cover ty
Hi! Took me less than 30 minutes! It works on plexy glass or any soft type clear surfaces. 👍🏽🙏🏽😊
Can you do this without removing the lens from the vehicle?
Yes definitely! 👍🏽 It’s
Just painters tape off the surroundings probably
What if the plastic material is softer and the rotary buffer keeps grazing the lens.
Best video ive seen thank you for the content!!
Thank you so much! Means a lot my friend! 👍🏽😊🙏🏽
Prtip: use a hand pumped pesticide sprayer your forearm will thank you
What about soft flexible plastic?
Will this work for foged headlamps as well?
Lol only one way to find out buddy!
Yes ofcourse 👍🏽😊
Guess I'm going to try this then!
Thanks for the video .
@@BiggMo well then it wouldn't be worth all that work if it only lasts less than a year!
@@BiggMo wonder if ceramic coating would last a Lil longer.
Great Job , very informative.
Thank you 🙏🏽!
can regular rubbing compound then polish compound be used after the 3000grit sand paper?
@karkule5919 so i can start at 800?
Nice job, thank's !
Isnt it easier on the car??
What if you dont have a buffer??
Elbow grease works.
Thank you
I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽👍🏽😊
Thank you 👍
mines not clear
Should have a Fix this Car channel 😎
Got to keep your mind occupied when you're Edward Snowden the house because of a blizzard Good Job
That was amazing, thanks
Very nice 👍
The fact people think this scratches your light lol I mean I wouldn’t do it but honestly tapping it doesn’t scratch it
In my country such sanding materials and equipments and the polish cost thousands of dollars in our currency of which I do not earn in even a year. I guess I just have to drive my old car just the way it is...
Or buy new or used aftermarket headlights. Surely they won't cost you thousands of $.
Good job
Impressive!
Thank you 🙏🏽!
Nice content
thank you!
Very nice.
Damn, this is the tail light from the fxxking EVO9!!!
And who cares? I mean...it's a taillight assy with scratches...
Doesn't matter.
I do not understand al these judgemental comments.
Probably shouldn't be here if ya don't appreciate someone else's expertise.
@@kimberlycary2722 How do you see my comment judgemental? You have problem with understanding a sentence?
@kimberlycary2722 it's not judgemental, the Mitsubishi Evo IX is a badass car, he's expressing appreciation
Bros got an Evo
For the price of the polishing kit I can purchase 3 sets of headlights
Depends on the vehicle 🚗 👍🏽😊
Then don't watch diy vids and go continue polluting with your throwaway.
Bummer for the planet.
And now there are even more microplastics in the environment :( Just kidding... You gotta do what you gotta do...
Why bother, it will be scratched again in a short while.
Why eat? You'll be hungry again in a short while.
@Blaza303 so you can't discern the difference between necessity and vanity. Pity.