Headlight Restoration using toothpaste, Fact or Fiction
3/31/14, 01:21 AM
#1
Shelby GT500 Member
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Headlight Restoration using toothpaste, Fact or Fiction
Anyone here ever try removing that nasty yellow oxidation covering their headlights with toothpaste. They got you tube videos showing that toothpaste actually removes the oxidation and makes the lenses nice and clear!
Apparently the toothpaste that has plaque removing additives works best because the oxidation is like plaque. Anyone try this method and what were your results? The you tube videos looked legit and not cutting when the demonstration was being done with the toothpaste trick.
Fact or Crap? Many people swear by this process. Basically, clean off the oxidized headlight lens so its free of dirt and debre. Place two to three lines maybe 3 inches wide on the headlights. Use DA polisher and just move toothpaste around the lens prior to buffing. Turn DA polisher on and move around slowly until oxidation is gone.
Apparently the toothpaste that has plaque removing additives works best because the oxidation is like plaque. Anyone try this method and what were your results? The you tube videos looked legit and not cutting when the demonstration was being done with the toothpaste trick.
Fact or Crap? Many people swear by this process. Basically, clean off the oxidized headlight lens so its free of dirt and debre. Place two to three lines maybe 3 inches wide on the headlights. Use DA polisher and just move toothpaste around the lens prior to buffing. Turn DA polisher on and move around slowly until oxidation is gone.
3/31/14, 06:37 AM
#2
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I've heard this but never tried it. I usually use one of those headlight restoration kits and a drill. Then I put a thin coat of wax on them as well.
3/31/14, 07:52 AM
#3
Shelby GT500 Member
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3/31/14, 08:41 PM
#4
Legacy TMS Member
There is truth to the toothpaste, but only as the abrasive bit. The plaque fighting part... eh, I dunno.
The 'restoration' of the headlamp is nothing more than the removal of the top yellowed layer of coating. Or all of it, in some cases. Which doesn't really 'restore' it, unless you reapply some coating, which is where the two bottle stuff comes in.
Even clear coat paint would suffice, my dad did that to his '90 Mustang headlamps. Used 1500 grit on the faces of 'em, got the yellow gone, then shot 'em with clear paint. Looked brand dang new.
Anyway... SO lookin' forward to doin' this on Awesome..
The 'restoration' of the headlamp is nothing more than the removal of the top yellowed layer of coating. Or all of it, in some cases. Which doesn't really 'restore' it, unless you reapply some coating, which is where the two bottle stuff comes in.
Even clear coat paint would suffice, my dad did that to his '90 Mustang headlamps. Used 1500 grit on the faces of 'em, got the yellow gone, then shot 'em with clear paint. Looked brand dang new.
Anyway... SO lookin' forward to doin' this on Awesome..
4/2/14, 12:12 PM
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My uncles 90s camry's headlights were getting pretty bad last summer so me and my (while plastidipping his wheels) decided to give the toothpaste a try. Barely used any (maybe 5-6 toothbrushing servings i guess) and it was a pretty big difference.
They didn't look brand spankin new in the way the $20 kits do, but they weren't yellow and it was definitely much clearer than before. For essentially less than $1 worth of materials, its worth a try.
Plus everyone knows that minty headlights add like 4rwhp
They didn't look brand spankin new in the way the $20 kits do, but they weren't yellow and it was definitely much clearer than before. For essentially less than $1 worth of materials, its worth a try.
Plus everyone knows that minty headlights add like 4rwhp
4/2/14, 01:35 PM
#7
Shelby GT500 Member
Thread Starter
My uncles 90s camry's headlights were getting pretty bad last summer so me and my (while plastidipping his wheels) decided to give the toothpaste a try. Barely used any (maybe 5-6 toothbrushing servings i guess) and it was a pretty big difference.
They didn't look brand spankin new in the way the $20 kits do, but they weren't yellow and it was definitely much clearer than before. For essentially less than $1 worth of materials, its worth a try.
Plus everyone knows that minty headlights add like 4rwhp
They didn't look brand spankin new in the way the $20 kits do, but they weren't yellow and it was definitely much clearer than before. For essentially less than $1 worth of materials, its worth a try.
Plus everyone knows that minty headlights add like 4rwhp
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