I Restored My Headlights For Less Than $7!

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/25/2016 at 16:12 • Filed to: None

With a few simple household materials, you can restore a fresh look to your ride for less than $7. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (20)

46and2aheadofme > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:20

400 grit? That surprised me, seems pretty low. Disclaimer: not an expert in sandpaper or refinishing headlights.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 46and2aheadofme
02/25/2016 at 16:23

It’s what I had lying around, so I figured I’d give it a shot. The toothpaste got out most of the roughness.

Klaus Schmoll > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:26

I’d like to see a follow up post in a few months. Did they fade even worse over time or was it worth it? And how often do you have to reapply the sealant to work, after every car wash, once a month, etc?

So far, all I’ve seen are “day 1" posts. I’m really interested in this topic, but I’m not so sure as to how well these restored lights hold up over time.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Klaus Schmoll
02/25/2016 at 16:27

I usually wash my truck every week by hand, and then hand wax every three weeks. I’ll do monthly updates for the next few months to see how they hold up.

46and2aheadofme > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:27

Nice. That pic takes me back. First truck was a 78 Chevy. I always did like the GMC grille more and thought many times about swapping it. Still might, it’s still in my Dad’s garage, though it doesn't run. Someday.

MonkeePuzzle > 46and2aheadofme
02/25/2016 at 16:30

woah, yeah, 400 grit is like rubbing gravel on the glass

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 46and2aheadofme
02/25/2016 at 16:30

Is it an SBC? Everything you will need for it will be at your local FLAPS. Go for it!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > 46and2aheadofme
02/25/2016 at 16:31

I found 1500 grit took the “frosting” off of glass that I’d taken a Dremel to. 400 surprises me too though.

vicali > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:38

I’ve done this to the Forester and Tacoma;

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to…

Kinja'd!!!

It looks great but has to be re-sealed each spring.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > vicali
02/25/2016 at 16:41

I’ll have to look into that method.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:42

My headlights are as good as the clearcoat ;)

Kinja'd!!!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe
02/25/2016 at 16:43

Wait, you have a 2500?

Echo51 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:47

Without a constant UV protection(which you’d normally get from a proper clear coat) it’s gonna fade, and look even worse within a few months. If you’re religious with the waxing, maybe yours will make it!

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:48

Not exactly since it’s my grand parent’s but I can pretty much use it whenever I need it.

That is when the lifters aren’t killing themselves

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 16:57

Nice. The polycarbonate headlights, and how they craze in the sun, are an eyesore, not to mention a safety hazard. My solution is usually to buy a replacement on Ebay. Sure, it’s more than $7, but the previous lights lasted ten years, so these ought to last a while.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Echo51
02/25/2016 at 16:57

We’ll see. I’ll probably apply some cheap clearcoat just to keep it sealed, but who knows? It’s probably good enough since I wax religiously.

Echo51 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 17:01

Good lucks to it. My car’s just old enough to have glass headlights... Doesn’t mean the indicators and rear lamps are tho!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
02/25/2016 at 17:03

Fair enough.

46and2aheadofme > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/25/2016 at 17:39

Long bed Bonanza trim, but always wanted to make it a short bed. I recently got permission to unearth it from Dad’s garage and take it to my brother in law’s shop to assess the overall condition. I'll keep you all in the loop!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 46and2aheadofme
02/25/2016 at 17:43

Nice!