The BEST Guide to Restore Headlights PERMANENTLY! 

I worked at a body shop for 3 yrs and learned you can fold over wide tape onto itself (to block the glue on the backside of the tape) then slide that end into tight areas for masking. Blocking the glue on the tape will make it easier to slid into tight areas and will allow the tape to go deeper making for a better masking job.

Thank you for talking about isocyanates and how dangerous they are. No one ever talks about how dangerous they are and they don't protect themselves properly.

I've gotta say, this is the best headlight restoration video I've seen. The timelapse really sends the results home

2 years later and it’s still one of the best produced video on RU-vid when it comes to this 👌🏻 love watching your videos.

I loved the shake sequence. Creativity: 100%.

Brian that was awesome example of a person who knows what he is doing. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. 👍

First time I've seen any youtuber get such a good result. This man is the master.

Thank You SOOOOOO MUCH!!!! I followed all your steps and my Audi W12 head lights turned out PERFECT!!! I started at 6pm and was all done buy 8pm. Everyone watching -- Don't miss any steps for the best results!!!

Im stuck with my car on jackstands in my garage after beginning a DIY 1st attempt at a rust repair job on a fender on my 2010 Acura TSX. im a perfectionist and wanted to ensure i didnt miss a step, or do it improperly. i have found myself watching your videos daily, for over two weeks now. Im hooked at how expressive, detailed, and thorough you are with your explanations. I'd kill to work along side you. I appreciate your content and ability to teach others. Keep doing great things Brian!

I just tried it and I can't believe the results! Thank you paint society.

I ended up re-doing the headlights on my truck today. I used what I had, 600 grit, then 1000 grit. Then followed through with some 2K clear that I had laying around from other auto paint jobs. Turned out quite good. Whole project took 2 hours from start to finish including masking and unmasking. I previously used rustoleum UV clear coat thats 1K, and it yellowed after a year or two. I don't recommend it, do it right and use 2K. This video motivated me to get it done!

Followed your instructions to the letter on my 2014 Focus. Came out perfect except for an insect landing on the first coat. Removed it with tweezers and it didn't ruin the coat. Thanks for the instructions.

Thank you for this, you’ve given me the confidence to be far more thorough in standing away all of the old debris and contaminants before re-clearcoating. I really was too scared to do that previously....live long and prosper buddy!

Ok so this video is so spot on. The only comment above the ones provided about folding tape in 1/2 or less to fit into the open seams is that the second coat is the key and apply liberally not to the running down the headlight thick but heavy. The results are amazing and the steps match this to the tee. Great video thank you.

You’re still a celebrity in our class. Great work big brother.

Thank you! I just did this and could not find anyone who actually sanded the clear coat after using that spray clear. You did just to show exactly my issue. Thanks again. Mine was 20 years of yellow oxidation on a tundra

Thanks for showing the hazy results after the initial sanding because I would think I screwed up if I saw that fogginess. Saving this video for later when temps warm up to start this project.

Congrats!!! The best video to restore your headlights.... I used P320 grit for first pass, and P600 for the second pass. Used instead Eastwood 2K Duraspray, as I wanted unlimited pot life (as Aero-Spray version only lasts 48hrs after activation), and the difference is that it takes much longer final curing time. However, It is polishable after 12 hrs of application. I used P1200 grit to sand the orange peel, and buffered with 3m 3 steps. Great finishing... Once again, THanks for sharing your knowledge on this!!!

Dude, you're the best! "Don't over think it, it's just paint." Until you try it your self :)

As always another great A+ video. I worked in a factory using headlight plastic molded injection machines and there is no clear coating applied to OEM parts. Just doing this simple fix will make better then OEM and last longer. So thanks for showing us how! 👍

Christ... your garage is fancier than my kitchen! Great job on the headlights too.

Just cleaned my 2007 Corolla headlights following your video . . . . W O W . . . DDG . . Drop Dead Gorgeous . . . Your teaching works GR8T . . THNX

I've watched so many restoration videos, but yours is the best by far, much more consistent and better explain. Plus you use much higer quality products, thanks for sharing!

Hi, I have a mobile detailing job and I have added light restoration and this video is the best I have seen. Thank you…you have given me confidence in this journey. Thank you again and I will be following you…

Underrated channel... usually you have to pay for content like this. Great stuff, stay safe.

I can remember when headlamps were made with real glass.

this was best clearcoat headlight video i have seen... i used to wetsand and buff /seal headlights years ago...great how you explained the fogging...that freaked me out a few years ago and ended up just continuing wet sand buff method...thanks

❤I love the way you explain your work, I’m glad I found your video on RU-vid I will definitely try to restore my wife headlights 2010 RX Thank you very much for sharing your work 🎉

I love this guy and what he does. Getting back into painting again to fill some retirement time and he is good for refreshing old minds. Having a binge video watch on Christmas day!

I've watched a LOT of these and have tried a couple different methods but not 100% satisfied with what I've done. This video really explains the process in detail and the results speak for themselves. I can't wait to try it! Thanks so much!

Professionals....ya gotta love em. Thank you for sharing young man.

This is awesome! Now I don’t need to keep buying new headlight housings every year or so! Your channel is full of great info!

The only way to restore headlights! Did mine this way 2 years ago and they're still going strong

I can contribute with a testimonial since it's been over one year and I drive around 19,000 miles per year. Winter time it's harsh salty winter road condition and the car is parked outside at both home and work, so it's direct exposed to the sun during the sunny times. This method works! The headlights only needed a quick and easy polish by hand to get back the nice finish.It's exactly like the paint, one year of using your car on daily basis wears the paint no matter how careful you are and polish is the only way to get back the shine

Very professional. I have a lot of respect for your skill set of clearing headlights. My method is wet sanding and I do use the P grade wet/dry sanding disks. I do my headlight jobs in about an hours time for mobile home services. I thank you for getting a better knowledge on taping off the headlights. I will apply that to my service. Applying the degreaser in the beginning was good knowledge also. I thank you for that also. I use to do spray coats in my early years of mobile headlight service and the results are amazing but I have learned that the spray method is better in an indoor shop setting. I use to get bugs and flies that would get on the clients headlights after I sprayed it that drove me nuts. So for outdoor settings I just finish the job with an auto ceramic. For a longer lasting quality job for 3 to 5 years I have to have the clients car in their garage to apply a polymer vapor application that gets crystal clear results. But you have to wear a respirator and gloves for that method. But the results are stunning. You are so right with making sure you remove all of the old clear coat. In my beginning years restoring headlights I use to leave half of that unaffected clear coat on. But I would always see that divide between a nice clear job and a spotty bottom half. So I learned that the hard way. Always remove it all. Thanks for the video. Good job.👍

This is the best headlight restoration video i could find. Thank you

I've seen Nate over on Dirt Lifestyles use Eastwood on his pumpers, racks and rock sliders, and it always looks great. Seeing you use it on some of you home projects convinced me it is better than I initially even thought before!

Forget the technical details, I just love the way you talk and present !! Fantastic !!!

i love your videos and even i'm german i understand the most. i like your calmness and humor. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 👍

I don’t even paint, but I love this channel! So informative and explained so well I might even try to paint something myself.

Amazing video. I did my headlights the next day and the results were unbelievable.

Just did mines two weekends ago. It turned out perfect! Clearer than my new cars headlights. One regret though is trying to be perfect and taking out the orange peel. Imo, I should have left it alone as is. Trying to rid of the orange peel made the lens duller. Even with Polex and proper buffing it wasn't as crystal clear anymore. Its just me being picky but I would have left it alone without trying to correct. Thanks for the video!

Just found your channel as I'm getting ready for my first paint job and I have to say I've learned a lot. I like the style of your videos and how you demonstrate techniques as well as present information.

A hugely helpful and instructive video! Many thanks for sharing. I was amazed to learn how the clear coat goes over the misty sanded surface, but dries to a completely clear finish.

That’s a cool touch on the headlight design with the VW logo inside the light

I been watching your Chanel now for a week since I got my bmw. I love your videos and slowly build up confidence to do some things on my own. I almost wish I could paint it myself. Thanks so much for sharing all those awesome videos.

As a beginner DIY- er, your videos are sooo clear and concise for me to emulate.. Thank you.. Keep Rocking Bruh

I’m really amazed at what that degreaser did for the yellowing!

Another great video. I like using the plastic clip part of a plastic cap on a pen to tuck tape. Fits in small areas and won't accidentally mar a surface if it slips off the tape or accidentally cut through the tape.

Excellent video, man! Simple and straight to the point without leaving anything out!

Very good video. I already knew this process AND have done it several times and still enjoyed to watch how well you documented it for new comers.

I been watching your videos non stop for days man. thanks for all the great info and inspiration to get out there and finally fix my headlights. I also subscribed thank you

Thanks for taking the time to so concisely explain this process. Cheers Steve

Wet sanding and dry sanding is "not" the same. Wet sanding is done to prevent pieces of material getting trapped between the sandpaper and the surface which will scratch the surface as your sanding it. The best and correct way to wet sand is to have an constant running flow of water to keep the material moving and from building up under your sandpaper. Spray bottles do OK but most people spray some water and then sit there and sand away. They don't use enough water and material builds up and gets trapped under your sand paper. Dry sanding is the worse if your going to be applying paint or clear coat of any kind. Dry sanding just produces the snowball effect, the material has no where to go, gets trapped and scratches your surface so your constantly sanding scratches you will never get rid of. I'm old school of course and use a hose with a constant flow of water but then again, old school techniques have produced some of the most beautiful paint jobs in the world and still do. Just my $0.02! Very good video though!

If you follow the steps, product, and clean, clean, clean, a little work and carefully following the video, you can get these results. A common question on older vehicles is, “My headlamp has 3 bumps near the corners”. These are used to align the headlights. Look for 2 screws, usually one top and one on the side. They are almost touching and most are “Phillips” head. It may take a long screw driver but single screw drivers are sold. If “STAR” shaped, this is called “TORX” and T-15 is the most common. Yours may vary but don’t be afraid to ask the dealer. They won’t charge you! To adjust! Park 12 feet away from the garage door, turn light on, mark the door with a piece of tape. Left should be straight ahead, right should point 1-2” to the right. They should be level, use your eye from the back of the vehicle, then look to see where the fall on the garage door or wall. Don’t get them to high as one adjustment changes the other. Guys/gals who know this will yawn, but most people have never adjusted their lights. I don’t know what year it changed, but these tabs will be in the way. If you feel comfortable, use a power tool with a 120-320 grit sandpaper and just remove them. Please have firm control, tape edges, but use the edge and touch the tab only. Your work should be dime sized and flat with the rest of the housing. Best of luck, hopes this help. Not everyone can afford a newer car, as the cost more than your first house, but look less old. ASE Master since 1978-retired. Great video, excellent lights, camera action and clear instructions. Like/subscribe/bell. Blessings to all!

A note on the lifespan of the fix, I live in the Swedish countryside and have quite a lengthy bit of gravel roads to get home. That dust will surely lessen the lifetime of the UV surface. It isn't a criticism of your work, just a reminder that the environment can decide if it needs to be redone every couple of years or so. While I'm nitpicking 😁, buffing by hand is possible if you don't have a good buffer, with the lower speed of one's hands it just takes a longer time. Another picky point is that using too high speed and/or pressure when using a machine can create too much temperature. Great video, I'll look for the 2 component UV coating here in Sweden, I am looking for a solution where I don't need to buy a kit where it just restores one set of headlights since we have a bunch of cars and I often help my friends with service'n'stuff. Great video, subbed for sure 👍

Brian this is the best explanation of how to do a headlight properly although I'd much rather use a compressor a good clear gun and a solid 2 to one clear

This guy, pretty much destroys all old styles of "wet sanding" freakin' awesome work dude.

Great video. I did the same to my headlights 4 years ago. Except I used a dupli-color sealing spray that wasn't 2k. It has lasted, didn't crack and was cheaper than the can of 2k clear. It can also be reused on other projects long after the can of 2k clear has become useless.

Thanks for the video and talking about the scratches that don't go away. This is my exact car also and while I don't have a garage/ tools, I watch these videos to see different methods - what works what doesn't and why - it helps me choose a good detailer who either knows what works and will be honest/ charge for that work or not.

Thank you Brian I have just found your channel today, I've watched a lot of these headlamp videos and this has to be the best, I think it's the first that has left the lens in the sanded condition before applying the clear coat and it makes sense, I am guessing that when the others polish or buff before applying the clearcoat they are removing the fine texture that the clear needs to make a good bond. I don't think I need to see any other videos on this and now feel confident that I will be able to do the job PROPERLY.

So clear, so concise. So on the money. Bravo

You make it look easy. I tried one of those McGuire's kits and it's crap. I'm relieved to hear your talent-power gets passed on through the t-shirts you touch. Thanks.

Awesome video and great instruction!! Thank you for your trouble - I've certainly learned a lot from your video! Greetings from South Africa!

This really is the BEST GUIDE to restore headlights permanently, that I've seen. Very professional. I tried the Chris Fix method using 400 grit, 600 and finally 2000 grit wet sand. He suggests Rustoleum Clear Gloss for the finish, so that is what I used. Within minutes (as I watched the paint dry) it spiderwebbed. This happened twice unfortunately! And other people (reviews online) have had similar experiences with crazing or spider webbing. On your video, the final grit used is a K800, which is a much coarser grit, but your results with the Eastwood 2K clear, look brilliant! Is my problem the Rustoleum paint? Or is it that the 2000 grit wet sand, leaves the lens too smooth for the clearcoat to adhere properly? Any comments or advice would be most welcome, as I've still got to sand off the Rustoleum and start again.

Thanks you I turned this into a business and got my first customer today!

Love your videos! I’m just getting into DIY with an old car I’m restoring and this has been instrumental in making it look good as new. Thank you very much for the detailed steps and explanations.

You were my main inspiration to start my paint channel thanks for the push! -panelsnap keep sharing the wisdom!

15 years!? damn i feel old, i worked on these at the dealer when they were brand new

Glad to hear about the adhesion promoter. That was the first thing i thought of when spraying plastics

I can testify to how not so long the head light clear coat lasts from factory. My head lights started getting rough and cloudy after about 6 years. What I didn't know, until watching this video, is it is the clear coat! So, I don't see how anyone can fix the hazy headlight without sanding off the old clear coat and taking it through a similar process as yours! The original clear coat on mine was obviously inferior, or it wouldn't of failed after only 6 years from the show room floor. Great video, Brian, and thanks for sharing the knowledge and techniques! Great job!

Great video as always. Love the way you explain how and why you do the things you do. Keep up the good work an by all means keep the teaching videos going, really learned a lot from them. Thank you

Hey Brian Just painted my niece headlights, using your recommendation in this video, they came out amazingly. This was my first time spraying 2k clear. I did exactly as you said, with light first coat... After 4 coats not a single run. I used the best cheap gun you recommended. Thank You so much. I wish I could post a picture, but don't know if that's possible......

Legend, i need to do this to mine, thanks heaps.

I'm very grateful for this comprehensive tutorial from a proper expert.

Love the video! Just a quick question. If I was using “p” grit sandpaper… what finish grit is the k800 equivalent to? In other words what should I finish it with prior to clearcoat with “p” grit sandpaper.

Great video, love hearing the pro tips from someone with experience. And, the cost of the supplies used is still cheaper than the cheapest aftermarket headlight assemblies for most cars.

Great results as usual. Thanks Brian 👍

I for sure can't to wait try this method. I just got a restore kit from the Home Depot. I'll be getting my money back. Stand by.

Its good that you mention PPE for the 2k paints, however I feel like you need to do a more in depth video specificly on safety. 3M doesnt recommand any of the filters for those half face masks be used for isocyanates. Also people need to make sure their eyes and skin are covered.

OH wow, this is the best spray clear coat headlight restoration I've ever seen; this even beats Chris Fix clear coat job he posted cause his spry coat restoration still looked foggy and orange peel after he finished.

Lol first video i watched i thought you looked like Q from Impractical Jokers.. and your name is Brian 🤣🤣🤘

This video was a big help. My lights are better than new now.

Remember when head lights were made of glass and they didn't scratch or yellow? Even if you garage your cars the headlights will still yellow. The bulbs produce heat and create the yellowing when the hot plastic is subjected to the cooler air on the outside. Add hotter head lamp bulbs and they yellow even quicker!

If you don't want to do the clear coat, you can put some XPEL clear film on it. That never yellows either and will protect your headlights from rocks, etc. However it's pretty expensive compared to that 2k can.

Thanks so much Brian...we have 2 older cars that need attention. A '96 Camry, and an '03 Grand Cherokee. Looks like we should be able to take care of both ourselves...🙂 Thanks again for your help Brian, and remember that God loves you ❤ 🙂

Can you do a tutorial on how to paint door jambs (order of spraying) when doing a full car paint job?

Pretty sweet dude. Very professional. Know one ever talks about clear voting the lights. I’ve buffed my light lots of times only to have them fog up again. Now I know why. Hopefully I can still save them.😊

Acetone vapor dispersion would really make your jobs like this easier. Once you've sanded the lens, just hit it with the vapor and they’re instantly clear like new. It’s kinda amazing when you see it the first time.

THIS IS THE BEST TUTORIAL ON THE WEB ,YOU ARE AWSOME

I prefer paint protection film like something from XPEL over the 2K clear, provides protection against impacts, sun, stains, and lasts longer, it is optically clearer also, you have to sand and buff the clear after you apply it to get rid of any orange peel that can possibly distort the light output. You have to buy a respirator, cover the rest of the front end of the vehicle, you just need a little bit of patience with the PPF, no respirator or masking off other areas because of the overspray.

I just did mine today but I think I went to wet on the first coat because it wrinkled on me, going to redo them in a few days but I was impressed on how clear they are now.

okay, shaking the 2k clear montage was funny. loved it.

Thanks to your video I have incorporated headlight restoration into my detailing. Thank You

Just buffing your headlights is like sanding some rusty steel thats sitting outside, temporarily looks good, but if you sand and paint it, it will be protected and won't rust for many years.

Used this technique to bring my 2006 Mazda 6 headlights back to life. Thank you!

DO NOT USE the regular clear coat that you find at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I spent an entire day sanding my lenses only to melt them in about 2 seconds with the wrong clearcoat.

Good job. Best headlight restoration on RU-vid I have ever seen. I did few of those on my previous cars but I have used clearcoat that is dried by UV light. Same results like 2k

Awesome. Been using those kits from the auto parts store and have to redo it every 9 months. Definitely going to do it this way now. Love the videos. Keep it up.

Hi dude,just wanted to say that i thoroughly enjoy watching your tutorials,it inspires me..i shall be doing my very first car respray sometime soon,you make it look so easy my friend,great video's bud..keep it up..