The TRUTH about OFF & Toothpaste vs Headlights! (+Update on WD 40) 

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the Off didn't really help clear my headlight lens, but there have been no mosquito bites anywhere on the grill for the past month.

If only the headlamps were still made of heavy glass, this wouldn't be an issue.

Back in the day, our headlights were made of real glass. Never had to worry about it.

I’m gunna start brushing my teeth with Off!

If the headlight manufacturers did their job properly nobody would have this problem! One could accept this happening after 20 years, but not a few years. Unacceptable!

What causes the headlight lenses to get cloudy like that is something called "crazing" - which is when the UV light from the sun attacks the outer surface of the plastic and causes a lot of microscopic cracks in the surface. This diffuses the light hitting the surface instead of letting it through and makes it look cloudy. Liquid products like OFF and WD-40 and even water, just fill in the cracks and make it look clear again. Of course, water evaporates quicker than oils, so it doesn't last as long, but even the oils will eventually wash away or evaporate and the headlights are still crazed like before. If you had washed that OFF off with soap and water, it would have looked like it did before. What actually works is plain old cheap buffing compound, a clean rag, and about 10 minutes of scrubbing in small circles all over the lens. The toothpaste will work some, but you need to scrub it on with a rag and not a toothbrush, plus you need to scrub a lot longer than five minutes. Buffing compound has a little more aggressive abrasive, so it works faster than toothpaste, but it still takes some time and elbow grease. It basically ablates the cracked surface and gets down to a new, smooth surface. It will stay clearer longer, but eventually will have to be done again due to continued crazing by the sun. My experience is that I have to do it every 12 to 18 months, depending on the car.

I bet your wife was impressed when she saw the dirty bathroom towel! 😁

you talking about "I'm too cheap to go buy another headlight" lmaoooooooo ME TOOOOOO

No matter what you use to clean your headlight lens, the trick is to scrub horizontally ONLY. The cloudiness is crazing cause by dust impact and UV deterioration. If you scrub round and round or both sideways and up and down, it aligns some of the crazing but scrubbing in one direction only leaves a clearer and longer lasting lens.

Many year sago we traveled to a place where insect repellant was necessary, so we bought some stuff that had a very high content of DEET. Much higher than OFF! During the trip it leaked and the plastic cosmetics bag my wife had it in partially melted, so yes, DEET is a solvent to plastics.

Compound and if you have buffing wheel definitely makes a difference than seal it with a good polish to prevent future damage

If you want to clean your head light plastic, use a wet 3000 grit sand paper, keep the water hose dribbling on the plastic as you rub in circles. After you have cleaned the gunk off, Then use chrome polish and a buffer wheel to polish back to a shine. THEN MOST IMPORTANTLY SPRAY THE CLEAN HEADLIGHTS WITH UV PROTECTIVE CLEAR PAINT!!! You should be able to get all the necessary stuff at your local hardware store. This is a ONE TIME AND DONE FIX! At least for me it has been.

What people fail to tell you is that toothpaste works like rubbing compound...you rinse your headlights and put a quarter sized amount on your buffing wheel and polish your headlights on high speed. Then make sure you follow up with headlight polish to prevent your shiny headlights from fading in the sun. Restoring headlights is basically removing the damaged top coat of plastic. The problem with all restore jobs is that you end up removing the hard factory finish so you keep having to polish with rubbing compound and polish it once a year to maintain it.

The absolute best way to clean these up. Start off with 600 grit sand paper sand it until the whole thing is hazy. Then go to 1000 grit. Then move to 2000 grit. Then get some good wax and a buffer. It will last a very long time. I do them all the time for people at work.

Dude, use a towel or rag and use that with the toothpaste. You gotta scrub man...you ain't fightin cavities you're buffing a headlight.

Hey, loved your inference of what works. Using the Off every weekend for a month might be even better for long term. Then once a month. The light assembly on my 2009 BMW 328i cost $1,200 apiece to have replaced. If I do it the assembly’s cost $1,900. I think it’s worth me cleaning them once a month with Off bug spray. I’m going to try the bug spray on my outdoor light fixture that has yellowed. Thanks.

I’ve been having a really rough time lately but you not only gave me a smile but also a genuine laugh with your word “scratchly.” Thank you!! And great idea with the off, I never woulda thought of it

I use an electric grinder on mine, and it ground all the plastic off, no plastic no problem

I'm retired. I don't drive at night. No headlight problems. 😁

OMG! I see where you get the “Yak” moniker. This could have been three minutes long at most.

The correct way I use off for this !! First have a rag or baby diaper ,, the softer the better one that will not leave lint ... Spray entire headlamp , give it five seconds or it will melt the plastic ..rub lamp off in strokes only one direction only couple times . You will see fantastic difference but do only once in 24 hour period , then you can repeat if needed . The affects will last for long time , regardless of comments I have seen below . Have made many people very happy with this at my shop. free of charge

I used OFF on my Tahoe headlights a year ago. Sprayed on and cleaned off, then sprayed on and let dry without rubbing it off. I was amazed and it still looks pretty good a year later.

Thanks for the video, Yak. After spending the evening watching video's and reading comments, I've sanded, wiped with mineral spirits, and clearcoated the front lenses. Looks great - so far (1 hour). Gotta say that the claims that the hazing comes from UV can't be the case. The rear lenses on my 2004 Lexus are very clear with no treatment. Hmmm... same sun, different end of the car. I suspect the highway-driving sand-blasting over the last 16 years and 190,000 miles are the cause of the front lense issue. The less one drives, the better it gets for everybody.

Great video. I agree that some of these restoration kits are expensive and they usually are a one-car application. So I'm curious, how long did the Off last?

The toothpaste would probably have worked better if you worked it in with a rag. That way it would work much like a rubbing compound or wet sanding. Actually buffing is still probably the best option in my opinion.

Mother's brand mag and wheel polish. It is metal polish. Metal polish removes oxidation. Takes two minutes with microfiber cloth. Buff in hard with two fingers. Wipe off with clean part of cloth. 5 ounce container at Walmart in wax section. Works about 4 months. Buff again it gets better. It will not work if it is heat damage. Homeless guy showed me.

Apply a protectant after cleaning the lights. No matter the cleaning method, the finish won't last long without it.

That bathroom towel will Never be the same again

" Remember, I'm not a scientist. I'm just a dude spraying OFF on some headlights". Absolute gold. Haha

As a professional who polishes everyday wet a towel apply the toothpaste. The abrasive is very fine it may take 3 applications. ( NO BAKING SODA ITS TO ABRASIVE IT CAN REMOVE TARNISH FROM SILVER ) Never use a toothbrush it will leave fine scratches of its own. The light grit in the toothpaste will polish the plastic lense surface to remove tiny surface cracks that diffuse the light and make it look foggy. If the surface has deeper crazing use lava soap the pumice in the lava soap is more aggressive than toothpaste and will polish the plastic smooth faster. Then finish up with toothpaste. After you make them as clear as possible seal them with a good car wax this will make them even more clear. Like when you use floor wax on an old scratched vinyl floor.

Need to add two more steps to the OFF option, 1. put polish and 2. clear coat for UV protection, will make it last longer

The problem with DEET is the chemical reaction softens the polycarbonate lens on the headlight. It will clear up the haze but the haze will comeback pretty quick. You need to apply a UV protectant to maintain the clarity.

The toothpaste without baking soda works great. Use the Colgate cavity and worked great for only $1. I didn't use a a tooth brush, used a dish washing brush with short bristles. Don't use circular motions, but up down and left right. Let the toothpaste dry while you do the other headlight. Go back to the first headlight and buff the toothpaste off (I used a 6" electric buffer). Don't wash it off, buff it like with was. Then wash the headlight. Repeat on the other headlight. I did all this with no water hose at my apartment. You might have to do this 2 or more times, but it works. I did this on a 1999 Honda civic, 20 year old headlighrs that were totally yellow fogged. 2 applications and they are almost totally clear! For one dollar. 3rd application will get them totally done. Spend a bit of time with the toothpaste, then wax the headlights. Cheaper than the kits.

After 15 years on a used car lot, I used off on a lot of cars. You will have better luck by spraying the off on the rag (microfiber) first and apply it to the headlight in a fast swiping motion horizontally. If you get too much on the headlight, it WILL soften the plastic cover.

I've used Ben's 30% deet and it actually melts the film off of the headlight vs cleaning or filling cracks as some people think it does. You can feel it start to get tacky, then see it start to remove the foggy layer altogether. Once it's looking clear, one last wet wipe to allow it to glaze over and you're set for 6-8 months or longer. Fastest, cheapest and easiest method to restore headlights imo.

I did the kit and did it right after about 2 weeks it came back..so will be doing the off and keep up with it...thanks

No matter what method is used to clean and clear the Haze, doesn't it need some protective layer to keep it clear for some time?

Light rubbing compound works as well or better than any kit. The abrasive grit actually rubs off the surface of the plastic, which is what has become pitted and oxidized, leaving clear plastic below. A good polishing after using the rubbing compound really makes them clear and shiny, and this method will last as long as the original headlamp did because you are starting with new surface, not one that has just been filled in with an oily substance.

Can't believe you used that beautiful hand towel!

I’ve tried W40 and its good as new and now I aso tried this OFF and man.....it dis a well done job too 👍. Liked all y’all videos including Kayak fishing’s as well.

Harmless fun and entertaining! Thanks ~ all the way from New York!

Hi. I used to ride motorcycles... the thing that was always recommended for exactly this for both fairing windshields and light covers is.... Meguires Wax Cleaner. Works like a charm. Just put it on, wait a minute or so, and then rub it off. Cleans up clear plastic amazingly

Yeah anytime you wet something it's going to remove the flaws, depending on the depth of the damage no different than cleaning your silver set

I used the turtle wax kit with an electric buffer...then used a good quality auto paint supplier clear coat with UV protector...worked GREAT...only wish I sprayed the clear when it wasn't 35 degrees outside, otherwise it would have been perfect....great video for a quick fix though with the OFF spray

Tooth paste totally works. But you have to apply it with a tiny piece of cloth, not a toothbrush.

Don't use a tooth brush jeezus!! An old t-shirt and some elbow grease.

Been watching you for awhile now. I've always wanted to know if these were true. Thanks Jack 👍

I use the OFF Deep Woods Towelettes. Only takes a couple minutes and it lasts about 6 months. It gets me through inspection every year in Pennsylvania.

1200 grit sandpaper and a can of auto clear spray paint works for years!

Use brasso it's what we used in the Navy to clean jet canopies, works great on the small cracks.

Some Barkeepers Friend Clean and Polish powder with a sponge/scouring pad will work wonders on that bathroom sink and sink drain. I wonder if it'll shine up the headlight lenses too?

I've used clear solifan tape, the widest one I could find. cleand and dried headlight then carefully applied the tape. Amazing clear and lasted over a year.

Great review keep em comming!

Been using colgate for years to buff scratches out of CDs. Don't use a toothbrush though use paper towel or soft cloth. Elbow grease a must

Great video, just saw one using a 3M product then saw your vid. (Didn't know about using OFF)! Usually hate vids with rambling about whatever, thanks for keeping on topic!! Thanks for your scientific opinion too! 😁

Love your videos buddy! You’re a lot of fun and are teaching me how to be more light-hearted about stuff like this. Love ya brother…..keep up the fun. You’re a great guy.

I bought some buffing compound and that worked pretty well, mine were in really bad shape.

they say you need to put auto polish on after you clean the head light lens and Everytime you polish your vehicle it stops the uv rays from messing them up.

No six packs were harmed in this video 😂. Thanks man! My entertainment for the night!

Add car wax afterwards....so it wont be foggy again...becuz of the uv from the sun that makes it got back to its old foggy headlamp

I've been told to wet sand with super fine grain sandpaper, then spray with polyurethane.

I used Evaporust. Bought it for the running rust on my car. It failed. Some of the Evaporust got on my headlight and Bam! The cloud came off the headlight. It actually worked. Just saying.

To clear the top layer of “yellow haze” off any headlamp assembly, you must remove the compromised clear coat that is sprayed onto the surface by the manufacturer. This can be done with sandpaper only. After you complete;y remove the old yellowed top layer, you must polish (buff out) the original plastic to a clear, high luster. Then you must spray a “non-yellowing”, high gloss, clear coat lacquer finish on those shiny new headlamps. Otherwise all the work you’ve done will quickly deteriorate. There is no quick, cheap solution.

Yes, fun and entertaining, and helpful. Just purchased the Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer Kit, $10.99 at NAPA. Haven't used it yet, will let you know! Shar Maui, Hawaii

Somebody may have already said this, but Crest toothpaste works really well, especially if you apply a thick layer of it (I use half a tube for each headlight), let it sit, scrub, then spray it off. Personally its my favorite method (the most effective for such a low price), and you only have to apply it every few months.

I used off. It worked for two years ( a couple times), but eventually it started to lightly melt the plastic. Of course I live in Florida, it’s hot.

There's clearing with sanding or compound/polish, but then any work needs to be sealed to prevent oxidation from happening again with a few weeks. I coat with 4everClear by SafeTclear after sanding up to 2000 grit

Yak, can't wait to try the off! tried the toothpaste 4 times and the only thing is that my toothbrush got dirty but the "film" is still there so I'm going to try the "Off". I live in Texas .

Dude, funny as hell! lmao I just use rubbing compound, it lasts ;)

What I've done on my vehicles that works great and for years is, I sand the headlights or taillights fog lights etc whichever I'm doing with 1,000 fine sand paper until they're smooth smooth, then I wash em off and dry em, then I clear coat them with spray paint clear, let em sit a couple of hours then buff em, it works for years. This works for me just wanted to share

Yes there are many different methods but most fade in a short time. My go to is to use cutting compound and then apply a carnuba wax. I use a variable speed polisher and wipe each off with a microfiber towell. It usually lasts about 3 months.

I did power steering fluid. Put on a thick layer and let it dry. Buff it off and repeat as needed. Worked for a few weeks the first time and 6 months the second time. Cost a whole dollar from the dollar store

I asked my dentist (who is a big car nut) about the toothpaste. He said the reason it wasn't too good is that you didn't floss after.

The best way I’ve found to do head lights is to take 400 and 600 and 1200 wet sanding paper and buy you’re self a can of none yellowing and none fading clear coat in a raddle can, then take a garbage bag cut out for the headlight and tape it down and make sure that you tape the rubber around the headlight. And you want to soak the sanding paper for a half an hour in warm water, and start sanding with the 400 first, and as you sand you’ll see a milky film coming off that’s the clear coat from the factory. Then go to the 600 grit and sand the whole headlight now use the 1200 and and till the headlight looks smooth. And dry the headlight and if you have an air compressor blow out and standing water, then let dry and wipe it down with rubbing alcohol and let dry.. now start out with a lite coat of the clear coat let dry for 20 minuets then apply a second coat make it look wet BUT not to the point it wants to run or sag, and let dry for 25 minutes. Now put on the last coat and try to make it look wet and make sure to spray the whole headlight. This works really great mine has been done for two years now..

I bought a cheap kit from Amazon. Consisted of a small buffing wheel and some polishing compound. Worked wonders!!! Still shiny after 6 months!!!!

I use to restore old Corvette Sting Ray’s from 1966 & 1967. Model years I used a Plastic Polish on the Back Window on the Corvette Hardtop to remove the scratches from the Window. The only product that worked and you may want to try is called NOVUS Plastic Polish in the White Bootle with the Red Label. You can even use the product to Polish the car, but I would try it on your Headlights

Scratch-ily😂😂😂I love your personality. Thx for the info. Im going to have my boys do this until we can restore the lights properly. I hope that you do more vids like this. You have talent on camera definitely🤗🐾

Yup, because everyone knows when you are going for a polished clear glass finish, making your compound extra gritty is the way to go....

Hi Mate, did you try to apply clear coat after you applied OFF or WD40? I think it will help to keep it clean longer. Let me know.

I have had Off partially dissolve an old plastic watch I was wearing when hiking in the swamp years ago. I still wouldn’t use it on headlight covers. I just did my wife’s car with a Sylvania kit and it worked very well.

at 0:28 I got distracted by the impression of Will Ferrell's impression of Harry Carey.

I used to work at a car parts place and someone showed me using Meguiar's Marine one step compound to clean (used to clean gel coats on boats, so it's gentle) the headlights. We used a regular wax applicator pad and went to work. Yep, you gotta apply some elbow grease. Once they are clean and shiny, you give the headlights a nice coat of the Meguiars wax to keep them protected which lasted a couple of months. Reapply the wax and it kept the headlights clear. I've also used the bug spray, it works, but over time it clouds up again. The clear coat spray idea is a good one.

Thanks for doing the experiment!

Saw a youtube video where baking soda and water is used to make a paste. Probably the abrasiveness is what restores the headlight.

I enjoyed watching both THIS and the previous WD40 video...like you said there is no 'quick fix'. So we either use a restoration kit or replace headlights, but If I could offer a suggestion to at least search CariD (or some equivalent match) will help $ave some money vs the manufacturers jacked up pricing for replacements. I have used CariD for headlights and fog lights, they are OEM fit and much cheaper. Hope this info helps someone.

WD40, OFF is a cheap fix. You just have to apply it often or after each car wash. Not too bad for the price.

I saw old times glass headlight for sale at Walmart for $9., my plastic encased headlight bulbs $20 each. Never heard of glass headlights turning yellow. Sometime new ain’t better.

I use Mothers aluminium mag wheel polish. Rub on w a little water and repolish the plastic surgace. Works really well about $6 a jar.

Dude! Thanks for the video, we owe you a beer! Well done! Very clever!

I found that Automatic Manual Transmission fluid is by far the best for this as well as on mirrors a windows.Also backup light fluid works but it takes more time and scrubbing.🥴😱

I used off video shows you only put alittle on head light.. try turning on your headlights get surface hot and literally spray off on heavy all over and wipe off immediately. Yellow film will wipe off, if it clouds up repeat process . I did my 06 chevy pick up doing this 2 a yr

OFF DOES eat away the plastic, thats how it works...just like the sandpaper does in the first step of headlight restoration kits. But after that top layer of plastic is gone, you need to seal the exposed plastic and then protect it from UV damage to keep the plastic clear long term

Did you put a coat or two of wax on afterwards to keep it from oxidizing so soon?

You live in the burbiest of burbs! It reminds of that movie "The Burbs" with Tom Hanks. I can see why you film out there. Very picturesque.

It's an awesome quick fix thanks for the awesome DIY I don't mind doing the quick fix. I did the Colgate without the baking soda I like the look I used a terry cloth and not a toothbrush and it looks great I don't mind the quick fix I'll do it when I need it

Loved this. Great sense of humor.

"HONEY WHERE'S MY DAM TOWEL"!?

Use 3000 grit sand paper instead of a towel or tooth brush. The results will amaze you. Thanks for the tip :)

Interesting. Thanks for the info!