Best Headlight Restoration Kit in 2024? Let’s Find Out!
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- Опубликовано: 23 май 2024
- Some headlight restoration kits just don’t restore headlights, but they do cost you precious time and money. So, let’s test 7 leading brands and we’ll find out which brand is the best of the best!
I bought all of the restoration kits and don’t accept sponsorships. So, thank you for supporting the channel.
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➡ An easy way to find past videos along with products tested: bit.ly/2FCrBpk A big thanks to Jim for putting this together.
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➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Rust-Oleum: amzn.to/3sRuH1G
Armor All: amzn.to/3PetmJy
3M: amzn.to/45ZtgfE
Cerakote: amzn.to/3PzGtql
Rain-X: amzn.to/489J9C7
Meguair’s: amzn.to/3Pf2OYV
Sylvania: amzn.to/3PeB1HM
Videography Equipment:
Sony DSC-RX10 III Cyber-shot Digital Still Camera: amzn.to/2YdXvPw
Canon 70D Camera: amzn.to/31b5Gy0
Azden Microphone: amzn.to/34d3DLE
Go Pro Bundle: amzn.to/3Ca0ZVN
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results. Project Farm LLC 
Хобби
Suggested video: Rechargable WORK LIGHTS- Battery capacity, discharge time, lumen output, water resistance, drop test
Thank you for the video idea!
This is a great one. I’m extremely interested in work lights.
Very good idea, I’ve been needing a led working for outside jobs
Torque Test Channel has some great light testing videos!
Candela > lumens
Was just talking with my daughter two days ago about this very subject. I told her most of the kits were junk and she would be better off with aftermarket replacements. Or just using sandpaper working it wet moving from six to twelve hundred grit and then finish with a good polish. Set of replacement lenses for her vehicle are around 130 dollars. I just sent her the link to your video and told her to give the Sylvania a try. I also reiterated to her the importance of looking at your channel any time she was looking for a product like this or especially tools because you are by far the best out there. Without a doubt you are the modern day consumer reports. Thanks again for all your hard work and ingenuity in bringing us the information we need to make smarter decisions. It has saved me a lot of time money and heartache through the last several years.
Instead of polish, stop sanding at grade 800 sandpaper and then spray it with proper 2k clear coat.
Thanks! Glad to hear!
@@cPetan2 no, keep wet sanding until 3000 grit then polish
@bamwa yes, and after a couple of months, you can do it again. When you spray it with a clear coat, it will last for years.
@@cPetan2 Sylvania sells the coating from their kit separately and it's less toxic than dealing with 2k clear. I'd recommend that for most people. Just don't let it dry in direct sunlight or it'll burn weird lines into the coating.
Please do these headlight showdowns annually! I bet you these manufacturers would love to see their products benchmarked against their competition as well. Thanks for all that you do!
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
+1, can't wait to see how they look after a year.
@@ProjectFarmthis comment, and include the HFT restoration kit
I was a detailer for 35 years and when I started cleaning vehicles for customers when the vehicle was waxed, I always waxed the head lights and tail lights and they never changed in color and always stayed clear. I am proud of all the vehicles I helped to maintain. Just a suggestion that really works. I am 77 and retired 2 years ago. Many of my customers I had for many years.
This makes sense as long as it's a UV-blocking wax (many/most are, since UV is also what's nasty to clearcoat and paint fade). But should be reapplied every 6-12 months.
I have used Liquid Glass Polish on all my cars for 40 years, including headlights. I have never had a headlight assembly that oxidized. Great comparison and advice.
what product is your "liquid glass polish" and where can i buy it@@jackenrod6794
what brand of glass polish@@jackenrod6794
@@jackenrod6794
Never heard of it
The Sylvania works great. Used it after your last video to restore headlights so cloudy the high beams couldn't cut through it. 2 Years later they still look like the day they rolled outta the factory.
Thanks for sharing!
Same experience- I’ve used it 3 times since the last video and it’s incredible
You must not park in the sun😀.
I have used 3 of the Sylvania kits and before a year had passed they were significantly degraded again. To add insult to injury there was now a layer of “sealant” that has to be removed next time. I did save receipts for the last kit I used fo purpose of claiming the “lifetime warranty “. After way to much contact with “customer service “ I got NOWHERE.
Polish the lenses with Mothers polish…treat every few weeks with 303. See any # of RUclips vids for details.
Your Welcome😊
I agree and have used the Sylvania kit for numerous cars myself
@@Jerry-sy8rd "Polish the lenses with Mothers polish…treat every few weeks with 303" - Could you be more specific? // Edit: Okay, I dug up the videos on RUclips Jerry was referring to, and the results looked impressive. In order: "Mothers Polish" = "Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish" in a red jar, and "303" = "303 Protectant" available in a spray bottle (like Windex) from Walmart for @ $16. It has good reviews. I think I will try this method as it seems intuitively simpler, and I like simple.
This is the only channel I believe when I'm told to check back in a year, for a video update.
Yes, I set my alarm clock as I stand back and stand by.
In December of 2020, I purchased the Sylvania headlight restoration kit based on your review of that product back then. Over 3 years later, the headlights on my 1999 Buick Park Avenue still looks great! I see Sylvania is still the product to beat! Thank you for all your in depth reviews!
You are welcome! Thanks for sharing.
That’s a great companion recommendation to this video. I’m definitely sold now, thanks!
@@webster695 If you can afford both, the 3M drill-mounted kit for the sanding/polishing steps and then the coatings in the Sylvania kit, especially the UV coating. The combo is awesome and much less tedious than hand-sanding. I just posted a more in depth review of the combination at top-level here.
@@Spudz76 where is your review?
Did you make a video of it?
Yep bought sylvania after watching this too. Only 5 months in but they look great.
Evidently, I lucked out when my wife asked me to restore the headlights on her nearly 20-year-old car. Not wanting to deal with the inconvenience I ordered replacements and attempted to replace them, TWICE!! Doing business online is a pain, but merchants today want to rip you off at every turn! Ultimately, I called around and when I was told a local detailer would do it for $25, I was there within ten minutes. He did if fact do it very well and within ten minutes. Silverdale
You're amazing. I needed to buy a frying pan and needed to do my headlights. Saved me from researching this stuff. Thanks Todd
Thank you very much!
I was in the market for a new pan and ended up buying the Granitestone.
lol That's one hell of an unlikely Venn Diagram. 😅
good choice... I saw a video on pans and the granitstone for the price was unbeatable... even Chef Ramsey's Hex shit failed with the granitstone was better....@@robbro3589
Same! 😂
I went with the Sylvania kit based on your recommendations. The process involves a lot of sanding on the headlights that seems counterintuitive and leaves the headlights looking bad until the last step. The final coating step made the lights looks literally brand new.
It is a lot of work but in the end, it turned out nice! My wife was even impressed.
Thanks for the feedback.
Great video! Having restored headlights on 15-20 different vehicles for myself, family, and friends, I was very interested in this topic. But my preferred kit was not included! I use the Meguiar's HEAVY DUTY headlight restoration kit and have had very good results on nearly every vehicle. It includes 1000 and 3000 grit sanding pads and a compound that is applied with a drill using a provided buffing pad. The final buffing with compound is where the magic usually happens. I think I will get the Cerakote kit for its superior final coating, and use the Meguiar's HD for the rest.
The other challenge here is differences in headlights among various manufacturers. Besides the noted variation in UV damage, different brands have different properties and may affect the outcome of the testing. It would be great to see a re-do of this that includes the Meguiar's Heavy Duty kit with the top two from this video, in a showdown on the same headlight unit, from two or three different car brands.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
I used the same McGuire's kit on my pickup, 10-15 minutes each light. Six months later, they still look good.
I really like the immediate results of using the coatings, but they seem to breakdown and look bad faster. A quick cleaning and reapplication every 6mo-year is easy enough and looks great. Still sanding and polishing back to original condition is my preference for the project car. The kids junkers get the clean and wipe.
Sylvania you can get just the chemicals (activator + coating) in a larger size for cheap. I haven't found if that is an option for the cerakote, but I would like to give them a try.
It’s funny you said that as I also use the Meguires HD kit for lots of headlights. I was also thinking maybe I’ll get the Cerakote kit for the final coating for superior longevity. Great minds think alike! 👍
That’s what I do on those heavy damaged plastics, even 180 grid and increase up to 2500 then light polish w CSI ceramiX and lastly Cerakote coating… good choice!
I used to write technical user documentation so I know how difficult it is to convey the right information to users. You do an excellent job in narrating your videos with all of the pertinent information. Very well done as always.
Thanks so much!
Hi can you please do video for car dash cam
I also appreciate that he includes that he doesn't know everything (unlike a lot of RUclips videos) and that there may be better/other ways to test things, but portrays the information as tested keeping those things in mind, based on this one application (especially if not being used/tested as intended) of a product, it did (or did not) work well.
Was just looking up restoration kits... thank you!!
The timing here is... VERY IMPRESSIVE!
You're welcome!
I thought the same…!
same on the handheld jumper pack.. love mine 👍😎✊
It's like mind reading. I was looking for a booster a while ago, and bam, new video about boosters. Man is a wizard.
Yesterday I used a a 3M headlight restoration kit on my 2012 Subaru Legacy. I got pretty good results, but next time I'll choose the Sylvania kit. Thanks Todd!
Over the past decade, I have used both the Sylvania and 3M, both worked very well and lasted 2+ years, on about a dozen cars. Some advice is to remove the headlights, if you care about damaging the paint or trim. Tape can help but isn't perfect and is quickly damaged by the drill powered sanding. Use plenty of water and touch of detergent to, lube, clean, and cool the sand paper and lens as you go. Keep moving around in an even pattern and don't press hard to keep from over heating the plastic and melting trash back onto the lens. Stick with the first grit until you don't see any yellow at all in the dust.
Thanks for sharing.
Very informative. I bought my 1st ever restoration kit from Auto Zone for $28. I don't see it here but came highly recommended as the 'best available'. Manual knob sanders/buffers, 3 types of sand paper and a cloth, multiple small sponges and sealer. Use lots of water as instructed. Very pleased with the outcome. 2010 Mazda 6.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
Love PF, he doesn't take sponsorships, doesn't have a crazy video set up, doesn't give you biased BS reviews (like 99% of YT, esp the millionaire tech reviewers) ... just cold hard facts coupled with great narration of his testing methodologies.
Thanks!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this channel is top tier for trying to objectively test products as much as physically possible. This guy is the real deal.
I was actually thinking of buying one of these kits but it seems like a lot of effort to just save a few bucks. I'd rather just pay a shop I trust to detail but I understand not everyone has that option.
Again thanks for all you do man.
With the health problems I have, I decided to just replace the headlights on my cars. These kits look like a lot of work for me. The new headlights for my Silverado look great, and I am waiting for the others to arrive. The headlights on one car are so bad that I might sand all the way through the plastic trying to clean them.
So basically just sand your headlights, finish with 3k paper, and buff....
Cerakote is by FAR the longest lasting restoration kit I've used which is most likely due to their excellent protective coating! I did my headlights about 3 years ago with the Cerakote kit & they're still not yellowing, but they are starting to get cloudy / hazy. All of the other headlight restoration kits I've used in the past reached this stage in about 6 - 9 months.
Thanks for sharing.
I used it and showing some haze after going on 3 years. I was going to use the Chris Fix clear coat paint method. Never heard any long term test.
Because every single "kit" leaves out a critical step: Polishing with 3m hard lens and plastic restorer OR chemical guys headlight restorer. Every kit gives you everything minus ONE critical item. The 3m kit is the best - but - you MUST polish for a lot longer until they are clear. THEN you get Meguiares blue topped can headlight clear spray as the final step. Please use alcohol wipe or NON ammonia glass cleaner prior to spray clear.
Used the same product and hazing is happening. The Ceramic protection has failed and will yellow soon after. Best long term solution is to re sand from 600- to 800/1000 grit. Just need to remove an left over ceramic and defects from the headlights and re clear them with K2 clear or have an auto body shop to clear them
Hello from the UK. I have only just found your channel and have watched around 10 videos. I am hooked! Your reviews are so indepth and honest. My wife keeps asking what the hell am I watching.
Women watch reviews of makeup they're probably not going to buy, men watch reviews of tools they're probably not going to buy 😂 (though when I do buy them I always start here!)
What planet are you living on!
Thanks for sharing!
Check out the review he did recently on non-stick pans, your wife might understand if she catches you watching that one!
@@ranat5526
You know there are probably god knows how many channels you'd be interested in which you haven't discovered yet, right? 😂
Not only was this a comparison between the products, it serves as a quick how to guide for the use of each one. I look forward to seeing what a year's worth of exposure does.
I found you can do this but they will yellow again here in the south fairly quickly. I just decided to get new ones. Have an older car, they are pretty reasonable to buy new. Have a 2007 and 20 15 and they were $85.00 and $115.00. per set.
Need to do the 3m clear coat wipes and they usually last several years. Otherwise with no uv protection they'll yellow again pretty quickly
I found no kits last well over a year. I finally spent 3 hours taping off and sanding the oxidation off and then polishing with paint grade finishing polish and a final clear coat. Has been 2 years and still crystal clear.
It's a crime headlights are not made out of glass. My 1992 Honda Civic's headlights still look brand new, plus the car has never been garaged.
A year later after exposure to UV rays will be THE bottom line.
Being a body shop owner for 45 years and most recently utilized the performance of cerakote products I am looking forward to trying the Sylvania, always greatful for your diligence and hardwork to make it easier for the public obtain wisdom.
Thank you for sharing!
I found the cerakote kit to look worse than original in about 6 months. It looks great for 1-2 months and started to fade/yellow dramatically. Back to the real body shop method, sanding and clearing!
@@promodvette I've used the Sylvania on several cars over the years. It always lasted the few years until I got rid of the car with minimal weathering. Consumers Reports also ranked it the best for whatever that's worth
not to mention that the box says life time warrantee!! I contacted them about my yet again yellowing headlight and they sent me a replacement kit!! def. the kit to go for for a decent long term solution.
Cerakote doesnt make a ton of products but the ones they do work very well for the price. Minus getting it professional done Cerakote having the ceramic wipe to seal is the game changer.
One of those headlight sets is from an early 00s impala. A few years ago I bought one for about $700 with over 200k miles on the clock. My headlights were worse than the ones in the video. And so were all the others at the junkyard. I kid you not when I say I had to start with 600 GRIT if not 400 to clear off the thick yellow crust.
Thanks for sharing.
YOU ARE THE go-to for so many reasons! Thank you for all your testing! You have saved me (and others, I'm sure) frustration, time and money! Thanks again!
You are welcome! Glad to hear!
I had used the Sylvania kit about three years ago on my 2012 Mazda 3 and it made them look brand new again, but I didn't use their clear coat. Instead I used Lens Bright UV clear coat on the headlamps on a sunny day about 40C/103F to bake it on. Three years later they still look new... very happy with the results.
Thanks for sharing.
The Sylvania clear coat is garbage. My headlights yellowed again after about a month.
Where can one find this Lens Bright UV Clear Coat?
Do a Google search............
I also used the Sylvania kit and the headlights looked great when I was finished but it didn't take long for them to yellow again@@vladmirputin7139
Hell yeah, I bought the Sylvania Kit since the last time you uploaded "Best Headlight Restoration Kit" for my 2001 corolla headlights and it's still clear after 3 years
Ditto for me. Worked beautifully.
Agreed
Wow, that is great!
Suggested video: Workwear material comparison
Materials: Leather, denim, canvas, wool, rubber, Kevlar, stainless steel micro chain mail
Measures: Saw blade abrasion, sander abrasion, pull test, puncture resistance, fire resistance, acid resilience, mold resistance, general resilience after long water soak
Suggest leaving comfort, breathability, water permeability, etc for other vids and focus this on general “protection”
Thanks for the suggestion.
Absolutely wonderful! I live in So Cal and our headlights are exposed to a lot of heat/ozone/dust and pollutants. These restoration kits are great for people who don't have access to a polisher. One tip - for those using these kits, make sure you use masking tape to protect the paint around the headlights. Wide blue painters tape is a good idea vs regular masking tape. Don't use duct tape or anything like that.
Great video! Thanks for you hard work.
Thanks and yo are welcome!
I appreciate how you read the instructions verbatim. Not only did the Sylvania do the best job, it also had the easiest to follow instructions as far as I can tell.
Thanks for sharing!
From my experience, Sylvania is superior to other brands, but it is hard to find in retail stores.
In my experience sylvania is nowhere as durable as cerakote though
@@scottlanier5133 ....nowhere as durable as Cerakote... my experience with Sylvania after 2 years of 24/7 exposure to elements still has almost 0 oxidation.
wonder what it would look like to use the Sylvania up to the coating and then use the Cerakote coating -- let each do their strength
Used the Sylvania Kit from your last showdown on a meter/screen for an older Honda atv. Worked phenomenally!
That's great feedback! Sylvania performed well once again!
Same! Its been almost two years and its just now starting to look like its need a touch up. For 20 bucks that was well worth it.
is it available in stores?
Same here, went with Sylvania based on the last video. Almost 2 years later and it's still holding up!
can you find it in store?
Thank you so much for this! Very helpful. However I wish you would have shown us the headlight with the tape off so we could see before and after!
Good review. The youtube Professional Headlight Restoration Guy (think remember name correctly) uses a sanding, compounding, sealing method besides testing kits. What is interesting is his testing of clarity vs illumination. The clearest does not come in first in the illumination test. Who would have figured. I would like to see your version of these two tests. Mad scientist that you are ! What one thinks is the best isn’t always the best. Something right up your alley to have fun checking.For the benefit of us all.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
Based on your last review, I used the Sylvania kit on my 2012 Ridgeline just about a year ago. My truck spends its life parked outside, and is often parked in a parking lot with no shade. The headlights still look *great*.
Thanks for adding where you're parked, wish everyone would share this part of their evaluation.
Thanks for sharing.
Pro detailer here with acces to cerakotes pro quanteties of ceramic. im going to be doing a 9 step process on my 2007 workl ridgeline to getv the headlights perfect. a copy of 3Ms PRO grade headlight kit but with even better polish. and then finishing with an aplication of cerakotes ceramic.
@@lucashurley7612What do you think about doing Sylvanias kit with cerakotes ceramic to finish it off?
Suggested Video : Popular Kitchen Knives - Best bang for buck in terms of durability, initial sharpness, quality, ect. Comparing the cheapest to the most expensive :)
Thanks for the suggestion.
I did the Cerakote kit on my wife's car, and I was SUPER impressed. What a great value for not having to replace the lens housings. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
I've used the sylvania kit before, the initial spray is amazing at taking off the old uv protectant. sometimes you don't even have to sand, just reapply uv protectant.
Thanks for the feedback.
I used Mothers headlight restoration kit in 2020. 4 years later my lights are still very clear. I’m impressed
Thanks for the feedback.
Luckily I'm in the fortunate group with non-yellowing and extremely scratch resistant headlights on all my cars, but I have watched many videos on the subject, AND only now has it become definitive.. and the "how-to aspect" went un-noted..cleary another benefit......thanks again...
@@kafklatsch3198why would you watch many videos on this subject if your headlights are fine?
I recently used the 3M kit sandpaper and the Sylvania kits chemicals to store three cars headlights. I am pleased to say that the two together are a dream team---The 3M sandpaper makes it fast, the Sylvania chemicals make it last. Thank you for another exceptional review!
I have used the 3M kit many times. However the 3M kits I have used did have the protectant included. In my experience the coatings last around 2 years before being noticeably worn and reapplication is necessary. Maintain the coating and one should almost never have to polish again.
You are welcome!
You sir have a level of detail and patience not seen in a long time. Please keep up the good work.
Thanks, will do!
VIDEO SUGGESTIONS:
1. Use the 3M kit to clean several headlights equally, then test various UV clear coat headlight sprays & wipe products on them.
2. Then them expose to sun & weather to see how they hold up over time.
3. Finally, restore these headlights a 2nd time with different top kits and compare how well they restore again.
I came here to ask you to put these out in the sun for a year, but you were already ahead of me! I have used the Sylvania several times. My only complaint is that it only seems to last a year before re-yellowing. And they claim a lifetime warranty, but I tried that and did not receive any response multiple times. For the price, it's not really a big deal, but longevity will be a crucial factor for when I do it again. Thanks for your efforts!
Used the Cerakote almost 2 years ago, still really clear. I am only halfway thru the video so I haven't seen the final results yet.
@@A_Maggot I used a Cerakote kit on my sisters car last year. Did a very good job of restoring them and they still look as good as the day I finished them. I tried a RainX kit 3 years ago on a truck I no longer own. It did a lousy job that I was very dissatisfied with.
i think the best move is to use the Sylvania kit but purchase an after market ceramic coat or better yet, just paint it with UV resistant clear coat and then polish like normal
Thanks for sharing!
Buy yourself some 3M headlight film and apply. Lasts for years and keeps them as clear as the day you cover them with the film.
2 years ago, I bought the restoration kit from HFT for use on my 12 year old Tundra headlights. After about an hour of polishing, about 2/3 of the oxidation had been removed. They looked a whole lot better, but were still foggy and somewhat yellow. HFT's product didn't have a clearcoat, so they've yellowed again. Doing research on Amazon, I settled on the Sylvania kit, which I'm going to apply today.
Todd, you once again proved to me that all your hard work is absolutely valid and I trust your results entirely. Kudos to you and cousin Eddy.
Use the HFT kit and finish with Krylon plastic UV resistant clear coat spray can. It's a better protective coating than any of these kits.
Thanks!
Thank you for this comparison. I am trying to find a product that works. I have had my headlights polished before and it was a little pricey. I watched and thought I might be able to do the same if I know what products were used. This video helped me a lot.
Thanks for this information! I have been using the old trick of toothpaste and a rag 🤦
I use the 3M Kit at my Auto Repair Shop. BUT, after using it, I Ceramic Coat the Headlight Assembly. All my Customers are Very Happy with it..
What ceramic coat product do you use?
@@JoeUrbanYYCProbably the Cerakote brand featured here.
Thanks for sharing!
Hybrid Solutions @@JoeUrbanYYC
Perfect!! It's time to take care of my 2015 Ford Transit headlights and this was exactly what I needed to see! Thank you!!
You're welcome!
Honestly Really appreciate the work you Do. Been watching you for years. Your info has come in handy so many times.
Thank you!!
You are welcome! Glad to hear!
I just restored 4 headlights yesterday with the Cerakote kit. I’ve liked it a lot
Thanks for the feedback on the Cerakote kit!
Happy to see this as my headlights are looking bad
Lots of headlights out there that need restored!
Last week it was cookware and this week it is headlight restoration kits!!!!!! It's like you are reading my mind. Thanks again for the great reviews
You are welcome!
Great video! Just in time for spring. I love the testing methods.
Thanks!
This is so weird. I just noticed a slight haze starting to form on the corner of my headlights. Truck is 10 years old. I considered using a restoration kit, and didn't know which one. Now I do. Timing is everything. Thank you very much for doing what you do!
I've always found the best (and most long lasting) results from wet sanding 600-2000 grit, quick IPA wipe and a few light coats of UV resistant clearcoat. The fine scratches from the 2000 grit create a perfect surface for the UV clearcoat to adhere to. Did my headlights in 2019 and it hasn't faded at all. Plus it only costs around $15 NZD for a 'kit' that can do probably 10 headlights before the paper and paint runs out.
That's what I'm saying 2K clear coat (UV resistant) is the only thing that works reliably. If done correctly it could surpass the factory coat.
1 can of 2k uv clear is $25 . Only stays usable for approx 24 hours. So unless your doing several headlite restores in same day , it can get pricey for the 2k clear. Wish it was available in mini cans for cheap.
@@thegeneraljoe67 hmm maybe the stuff I’ve been using isn’t actually ‘UV resistant’. Either way it seems to be holding up for multiple years so I’m not complaining
@@thegeneraljoe67 if you do that for the first time 1 whole can may be required due to potential mistakes and orange peel removal compensation. My HID headlights for a ford focus were $1600 new. So $25 is not a big deal imo.
I'm in nz too. What brand of uv clearcoat did you yse and where did you buy it from? Cheers mate
Sylvania is the best hands down. I went to the hardware store and bought big sheets of sandpaper. Its been almost 5 years and still look good. When i bought the car they looked like snow caps frost. In not kidding after I applied product they looked brand new. My Benz thanked me too lol😅
Thanks for the feedback.
The best headlight restoration period. 400 up through 1200 wet sand. Then clear coat. Done it a bunch of times. The gunman has a video on this if you want instructions. Love the channel!!
I've used the Armour All kit on my daughters vw Jetta headlights, they were heavily oxidized. Kit was easy to use and I was VERY happy with results. Several months later and they still look good.
Thanks for sharing!
I have to do that on my Jetta headlights. I got a 3m kit at habitat for humanity store so will try that. Funny thing is Toyota headlights of same vintage look clear and good as new .
I'm shocked you didn't test 'Deep Woods Off' bug repellent. I picked up a used headlight a couple years ago and the salvage yard suggested it. Simply washed it in the sink with a little Dawn and warm water, dried it, then wiped 'OFF' across the lens, repeating with clean portion of the rag, till the rag stopped showing signs of discoloration. Blew my mind, looked fantastic, did my GMC after that, both still look great, been a couple years now. In the Air Force, we had 'Windshield polishing kits', if an aircraft window had a minor scratch, they'd attempt to polish it out by hand. No idea what the white slurry was but the final abrasive was 8000 grit, felt like a soft piece of t-shirt. Excellent content as always.
All that does is melt the polycarb. All the bums use it at intersections trying to get a handout.
You must be parking inside, as with no UV protectant it seems to last 4-6 months depending on location, storage.
I had to pick up an orbital buffer for my last car, and some wet sand paper, decent compound an Polycarb-rated UV protectant makes them look like new. Takes about 20-25 minutes per headlight, but glass clear.
Might try this first on my old 03 chevy work truck. Lenses are in rough shape so would be nice if the repellent did a quick job of cutting down the damaged areas. I'll use the Sylvania kit after and a decent UV protector as the truck is outdoors 24/7 and the summers get intense in Vegas.
Hoping the repellent reduces sanding time is all, I'll research it a bit first so I don't damage anything, haha
@@boots7859 I'm parked outside but the garage eves do offer some shade. To be fair, I've always waxed my headlights when waxing the vehicle, that may contribute to their continued clarity.
@@boots7859 I lived in Florida, always parked outside and used DEET and after three years, until I sold it, it still looked better than when I used the 3M kit two years before trying the DEET. The 3M didn't last at all and using the DEET literally took 5 minutes total. I'll never waste time sanding and buffing and all that ever again.
DEET dissolves some plastic. Nasty toxic chemical. I have been using Picaridin based products, of course not for lights. LOL
I just ordered a Sylvania on YOUR recommendation. THANKS!!
Wife just asked me about fence stains and didn’t see a video up(maybe I missed it), thought I’d throw an idea out there. Thanks as always for the great contact and uncompromising honesty!
You are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
Cant wait to see the long term results. I've tried a few different brands in the past, and while they all looked great in the beginning, they have had wildly different results over time.
Yeah, maybe we will need a second test showing results after 6 months.
Thanks for the feedback.
I've been using the Cerakote on my family's vehicles, it works really well. One car is 2 years in and they still look like the day I did them. Our summer heat in FL is brutal also.
For the car that has the Cerakote for 2 years, is it parked outside in the sun every day?
@@wildfriscogood question. I’m curious as well
Really well done. Thank you for taking the time, and making the effort, to tests these kits. I have always been uncertain about which to buy. Now I know. Project Farm rules!!
Thanks!
Great video! I'm literally at Walmart looking at kits when I decided to Google the kits. Saw your video and knew I'd get a real answer.
Thanks.
Even though I don't own a car, this is maybe the most useful RUclips channel out there!
Greetings from Spain 🇪🇦
I did a lot of this on my own lights with the traditional wet sanding with a DA and they polisher. Since then these kits have come out.
Great feedback! Thank you
If you already have the polisher and materials then these kits don't add much. The final coating is all you need.
Ceramic coating is cheap online
@ProjectFarm please try and do something on safety toe work boots. Blue collar workers need something that shows what will and won't hold up. I'm tired of paying 200+ for boots that only last 7 months
@@garythayer9673 He did do boots last year and the year before
I just did the headlights on my Tacoma. I used the Mothers branded kit. It was expensive but worked better than I expected. Similar to others, it's a wet sand product that used a drill. The polish was truly amazing. The lenses look like new. The only downside to this kit is that it doesn't have a protective overcoat and they recommend regular re-polishing. Thanks for the great video.
I have only used the Sylvania kit for the last several years on multiple cars. Love it
I also install clear tint on headlights afterwards so they do not haze again
Thanks for the feedback.
For what it's worth, I purchased a 3M kit well over a decade ago. In that time I've successfully restored dozens of headlights with that kit. I'm still using it; I last used a couple of weeks ago, in fact. The early kits included a "Clarifyer" pad, and the velcro backing on mine is just now starting to separate from the pad. Naturally, I've purchased new sanding discs as needed. And I've incorporated Meguiar's PlasticX polish into the process, and finish it all with 2 coats of ceramic protectant.
A couple of other people have recommended Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish, and you've got to try it, even if it's not for a video. I've tried probably half a dozen headlight restoration kits over the years, and using Mother's is faster and easier and cheaper than any of them, with results just as good. $4 for a small jar of the polish. Clean the lens, wipe the polish on, rub it around a bit, wipe it off. Repeat. Do a third time, if necessary. Clean it again and put a car wax or a sealer or clear coat on top to keep the UV off. Done.
My girlfriend's car is a 2007 Honda Fit and has HUGE headlight covers, but it's twenty minutes and no arm strain, no drill necessary, to do both with Mother's, and they look almost new. There's so little work necessary that I think the effect must be chemical more than abrasive, but it just works. I was skeptical, but there you go.
That's what I used on my previous ride's headlamps. They were large for the car size (Scion iQ), with both sharp angles and curves. The Mother's outdid three others I had tried, which all gave poor results. I was amazed at how clear the Mother's made them, and with so little effort! I liken it to using a good clear coat, but the cool bonus is, you can just polish them up again a year later. No sanding! My current ride has textured (on the outside! Grr.) DRLs, and they're pretty frosted since made in 2011, and I am considering trying acetone vapour treatment tried on them. It depends on the price. Otherwise, I'll just replace them.
I used Mother's for decades. You should try Meguiar's ultimate compound. It's meant for a final polish for auto paint, but I'm finding it great for anything I want to shine. 👍
You could use the Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic spray that project farm tested as the best ceramic coat to finish the headlights after the mothers mag polish.
rubbing compound is the best stuff I have found to clean my headlights
Thanks for sharing!
I bought the Sylvania kit you recommended last time last year. It did a great job and made the headlights I used it on look brand new. Thanks!
You are welcome! Glad to hear!
You do a great job testing all products! Thank you for your efforts!!
Thanks and you are welcome!
Suggested Video: Chalk box/ chalk line. Visibility, excessive chalk dust, drop durability, tensile strength, easy to load chalk, speed to wind. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Thank you for the video idea!
I use the 3M all the time I’ve found this has been the best one! Thank you for doing this video!
Same here, but I bought the meguairs clear coat spray separately and applied it after i finished using the 3m kit. Even severely oxidized headlights always came out looking brand new! The rain x kit also works well but the key is applying the meguairs clear coat. 2 years later and my headlights still look new.
You are welcome!
i used the Sylvania kit on my car after your previous video on these restoration kits, my headlight housings were so yellow and cloudy that you physically could not see the headlight bulbs inside the housing, after the Sylvania kit, they look brand new, and that was a couple years ago now, they still look great today!
I've used Mothers, Turtle Wax and 3M - to my non professional restorer eyes they all made the headlights look much improved but also only lasted about a year before looking moderately bad even with a coating applied after.
In comes Cerakote. Now their kit states it will last the lifetime of your vehicle. My 2015 (bought in 2014) Mazda 6 that only sits outside under the blazing sun in Hawaii 24/7 so it's a great test as the headlights started to fade after about year 5.
First off- while using the Cerakote I foolishly dropped the treatment pad and therefore ruining it. I contacted Cerakote and they sent me an entire new box...like just amazing customer service. Personally I like the 3M kit better for finishing the lens vs Cerakote just because I'm lazy and using a power tool is so much easier but they both do the job to set up the lens to be treated.
The Cerakote final coating is easy to apply as long as you don't drop the wipe like a moron. At the one year mark it still looked almost as good as the day I treated it...I'd say about 90%. At year 2 it looked like about 75%. Unfortunately it really degraded pretty fast after that and now at just beyond year 3 it's ready to be redone.
So lasting a lifetime? Nope, but everything else on these same lenses it only barely lasted a year before needing to be redone. I'm sure Cerakote would send me a new box but I'm happy enough that I will just purchase another one.
But based on these reviews I'm gonna give Sylvania a try and then add the Cerakote on top of it since that coating seems to be more durable after curing.
Thanks for sharing.
I'm so glad you'll do a 1 year follow up to this video and I found the scratch test very useful
I have a 15 year old ford fiesta and my headlights are not yellow at all but they have lots of surface "cracks" most likely due to road debris.
Thanks for sharing.
Hello friends! I restored the headlights on my 2011 Toyota Prius early 2021. I used the Sylvania kit as it was the winner of Project Farm's last show down. Since then I have put approx. 50k miles on the vehicle. The headlights are needing restoration again as they are badly yellowed. I already bought Sylvania kit again, but I think next time I may get a 3M kit and a cerakote kit and see if its the best of both worlds of time savings and a better quality coating.
Thanks a bunch for your videos, sir! :)
Leave sealant off, use Krylon plastic UV resistant clear coat spray can instead. Try that on one headlight.
Thanks for sharing!
For those playing along at home who want the best results:
1. Use 3M dry/wet sandpaper sheets (600/1000/2000 grits) keeping wet while sanding.
2. Clean with soapy water.
3. Use a Meguiar’s buffing compound and Plastic Restorer with a foam disc.
4. Clean with soapy water and then with isopropyl alcohol.
5. Finish with Cerakote wipes.
@@Steven-gv1ke No don’t. That screws with light refraction as it goes through the headlight lens.
Great video! I used the Cerakote kit on my daily driver, about a year ago. The clear coat is starting to chip / flake away, and the exposed plastic is turning yellow again. But it survived a year of the hot Florida sun. So that's not bad. To put it in perspective, some of the other products I tried only lasted a month or two.
Thanks! Thanks for sharing.
funny this video pops up! i just last night 3/8/24 did my 2004 camry headlights with the sylvania kit that i bought 3 years ago after your last video! it worked WONDERS, even being that old! would highly recommend the extra time the sylvania kit takes! thanks for the revisit!
I have always used the 3M kit with great results. It would typically last a couple of years before i had to do it again. The new kits have the UV coating and maybe that will give longer lasting results.
I just did my daughter's car with the new kit so I'll let you know if it lasts longer in a few years!
Great feedback on the 3M kit. Glad there's a UV protective coating available too!
I used a proffesional 3M headlight kit in my detail shop. Same basic principle as the over the counter kit. I followed up with Automotive clear coat paint in a spray can. It prevents the oxidation and will last for years.
I am looking forward to your long term test to see how quickly these lights deteriorate with different coatings. After restoring dozens of lights the only thing I have found that works long term is 2k clear coat after proper preparation. One side not to your testing, different manufacturers use different uv coatings on their headlights. Some are easy to restore and some require extensive sanding so it is not always a fair test when using different lights to do a side by side test.
About a week ago I was looking for a kit to restore the headlights on my girlfriend’s 2013 Prius. Consumer Reports recommended the Sylvania so that’s what I went with. Sure, it took a little extra time to get the lights all cleaned up but we were both extremely happy with the results. Then I see your review and that you also had a great outcome with the exact same kit. Right on! 👍
Thanks for sharing.
Great vid - LOTS of info, loved how thorough your comparisons were!! Would love for you to include the Griots kit in the future. Thanks for your time and effort!
Thanks and you are welcome! Thanks for the suggestion.
I have found that Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish with a micro-fiber cloth and a bit of elbow grease does a great job.
Thanks for sharing!
Since I already have sandpaper and compound, I bought a bottle of Sylvania clear coat only based on your previous review. Luckily they sell it on it's own to reduce the waste. Another great review!
Awesome video! I'm old school, 800 grit sand paper and 7 coats of uv clear still holding up since 2015
Thanks! Thanks for the feedback.
So excited for the follow up video in a year!! :) Thanks for the long term testing!! 🎉😁
You are welcome!
I have personally used the Sylvania restoration kit and it is absolutely amazing. It takes some time and effort, but if you have patience and follow the directions exactly, your result will be amazing. I have used it many times and the headlights look brand new every time. Definitely recommend just have some patience.
how long does the coating last?
My guy, it's just like you read my mind. I was just watching the old video on Friday since I was needing to restore my headlights, then you drop this today right before I was going to place an order for a kit online.
Thanks for sharing!
I've used the Sylvania kit on my 20 year old BMW and it worked extremely well considering the age. The headlights are a few years old (the car is garage kept) and they still look pretty good. You never get the protection afforded by an OEM UV stabilized headlight, but with the hundreds in cost savings compared to buying new lenses or even entire new headlight assemblies, these kits can do some impressive work.
Thanks for the feedback.
I just watched your video on hydrophobic glass treatments and had to subscribe. You really put the work in.
Thanks! Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Thanks for the review. I am wondering about the longevity of these treatments. It would be great to check back later and see which product held after prolonged exposure to sun and rain…
Thank you. The headlights are in a safe place and in direct exposure to sunlight. Hope to provide an update on the headlights in the future.
Thanks for the quick reply! I’ve obviously closed the video too early 😅 . Enjoy the Super Bowl!
I've used the ceracote on 2 vehicles and was highly impressed...INITIALLY. Less than 1 year they have already started to yellow. Yes, I applied it correctly. Spend over an hour on each headlight.
Thanks for sharing.
Interesting. I used the ceracote kit on my sisters car last summer and they still look the same as the day I did them and her car is always parked in uncovered parking. Guess I better keep a close watch on them.
Finally someone that said the truth, its junk. Most people will give 5 stars on amazon with their stupid phone as soon as they get something.
Great channel!
I used the cerakote on my 2010 xterra and the headlights look amazing after 14 years of buildup and I got the kit at Walmart for $9.99. Keep the tests coming...
Thanks, will do!
I get my best results from the rain x with Maguire clear coat n the Tuttle wax is GREAT as well
Been watching your videos for YEARS and really enjoy them. Honestly, I think it's time you revisited some of your older videos and redo/test the products again. Not that there was anything wrong with your initial videos or tests but sometimes a product wasn't included or hadn't been released yet, or perhaps a formula or manufacturing process changed . . ?. Also, you're so creative with your tests I'm sure you have devised some more effective and efficient tests over the years. Call them a revisit, rewind, rebound whatever. Easy but still very useful content.
Thanks! Thanks for the suggestion.
I agree. I would like to see you revisit some tests with all new products. I don't think any formulas really change so I don't think you should redo any old products but all new products then put them on a performance list with the old ones tested and the new ones tested unless you add a test then maybe if you still have all the products tested you should just include them in the added test.
Wow just last night i was looking at my headlight lens covers and wondering what should I do and then today I see this video. Great timing!
Great to hear!
I got one request can you try the prolube oil additive please you're the most honest RUclips tester I've seen so far.
I used the Sylvania kit over a year ago on my 10yo daily driver Toyota Corolla and it's still looks great. There is a lot of elbow grease needed for the Sylvania kit though. Great videos helps me choose a quality product and not throw my money away
Thanks for sharing!
This one is a huge help. Appreciate the vid. I’ve been struggling with my headlights so this video couldn’t have been timed better.
Glad it helped
I've seen professional restorers use a the abrasive and then spray it with a UV resistant clear coat you can buy in the autoparts store.