Toothpaste for headlights

[Vprbite]

So I've heard toothpaste works on yellowed and hazed headlights. Supposedly it's easier and works better than the kits they sell. Or at least it's a hell of a lot cheaper! I guess it can also work as a rubbing compound for scratches, but I'm in no hurry to try that aspect of it.

So has anyone tried it on their headlights? If not, my truck headlights are definitely in need of some love. If no one has tried this, I'll be the Guinea pig and let you know if it works or if it just leaves them minty fresh : )

[JonSav]

Not permanent fix.

Check out the video from AMMO NYC on headlight restoration, he goes through a few methods

[01sapphirebob]

I did it on my civic. Worked pretty well. They didnt look 100% but better then they did. I believe you have to use just regular toothpaste. Nothing with whiteners, tarter control, etc.

[MalingatorGTS]

Not permanent fix.

Check out the video from AMMO NYC on headlight restoration, he goes through a few methods

^^ This. I have used an old orange pad and a good cutting compound. IMO don't waste your time with toothpaste.

[Vprbite]

Figured it was too good to be true. I'll try a good kit (I don't have any cutting compound at the moment and don't want to buy it just for headlights.)

Nice to have them smell good though.

[daytonprowler]

I've used toothpaste on headlights and it worked just fine.

[BlknBlu]

flossing headlights takes way too long.

Bruce

[City]

I believe you have to use just regular toothpaste. Nothing with whiteners, tarter control, etc.

flossing headlights takes way too long.

Too funny! I've got to google "toothpaste without whiteners and tarter control ... but with haze control".

BTW- I've had success with toothpaste. Crest I think. But never tried it on a Viper.

[BlknBlu]

Try putting Listerine in a foam gun.

Bruce

[Bill Pemberton]

I did Bruce , it made my gums foam.

[v10enomous]

I have one headlight lens on my GenII that's a little hazey with light scratches. I tried 3 or 4 of the popular products and it looks good initially and then reverts back. I'm thinking that it's just too far gone for a permanent correction. Believe it or not, you can get a great albeit temporary result by using furniture polish like Lemon Pledge or Liquid Gold when you detail the car. The pourable products are best. I learned this on the UTV forums where people use it for lexan and polycarbonate windshields. You'll be shocked how well it works.

[BlknBlu]

You can use the same products on paint for headlight correction, any solution with a towel will just clean. A layer needs to be removed to get longer lasting results.

Bruce

[Vprbite]

I figured a cut needs to be done.

Though I was looking and for my truck (Viper lights are fine) new headlights are 80 dollars for the pair and smoked or black or halo ones are between 118 and 150 per pair. I might just replace them with black ones with LEDs for 118 per pair. Truck is all black so I think it will look good.

[daytonprowler]

A little toothpaste and water. It will polish those headlights as well as your teeth.

[Junkman2008]

You can use the same products on paint for headlight correction, any solution with a towel will just clean. A layer needs to be removed to get longer lasting results.

Bruce

You can use duct tape and some clear plastic to fix a busted window too but are we working on Vipers or Honda Civics?

[Vprbite]

No Junkman, not talking about Vipers. 2004 Dodge Ram that regularly sees mud and recently had to winch to friends out of a river we had to cross 6 times to get to our fishing spot. The ram of course didn't get stuck. It was a nasty drive out there though. We cross this river all the time as this is our favorite spot, but this was the first time the water came over my hood for a moment. My friends with lighter trucks were screwed. So I had to winch them out. A couple times each. My truck and winch saved more bacon that oprah's fridge.

I just thought if it worked well and saved me 20 bucks, might as well be worth a try. I considered getting a kit and doing it right because I think an aggressive cut needs done. But as I said, I can get a set of black crystal ones for 118.00. So might as well upgrade for that price.

http://www.autolightpros.com/2004-do...yyAaAnt88P8HAQ

But the standard clear ones are 38 a piece. I just figured for the price, the all black would look good without going too "street truck" with the halo and and full euro style. Looks good on a sleek street ride but not right for the big nasty 4x4 with desert pinstriping. In fact, I have a pretty cool tailgate mod I am gonna do soon. Will post pics when I do. ; )

I think if I am gonna replace them though, I will try the toothpaste thing on one and do a cut on the other and compare the results.

[Junkman2008]

If it was something that I was going to sell, then duct tape it is. But if I planned on keeping it, I wouldn't waste time putting a Band-Aid on it because you're going to need a lot of Band-Aid's. Unless you do a headlight repair correctly, you're going to be doing every month to 2 months.

[Vprbite]

If it was something that I was going to sell, then duct tape it is. But if I planned on keeping it, I wouldn't waste time putting a Band-Aid on it because you're going to need a lot of Band-Aid's. Unless you do a headlight repair correctly, you're going to be doing every month to 2 months.

That makes sense. And it's what I figured. But I thought it was worth asking just in case the toothpaste did actually work well on the plastic. I figured it was worth asking but in my mind I knew it was probably too good to be true. Like most of these supposed "life hacks." For people who don't know any better, it probably does "work well" though. It's better than nothing, and makes them look good for a while. Most people aren't into detailing as much as we are. I think Viper owners know more about detailing than average car owners because of the passion we have for our vehicles. Even those who don't do it themselves have a decent understanding of at least why things are done.

Anyway, I guess it's another example of the old "If it sounds too good to be true..."

[Junkman2008]

... Like most of these supposed "life hacks." For people who don't know any better, it probably does "work well" though.

Which is EXACTLY why I make these long, drawn out videos on detailing. When I first found detailing forums, I saw guys raving on how good their paint looked because they were using product A. Then I saw the same guys at the big car show and about fell out in awe at how BAD their paint looked. I thought to myself, "People are taking these guy's word at something that these guys clearly know nothing about." It reminded me also of a good friend of mine who was always trying to fix me up on a blind date. No matter what, all the chicks he introduced me to where fat. It took a few dates for me to realize that he was just into fat chicks and that was what HE liked. So when I see stuff being touted online now, I look at the source. If the guy is a one-bucket washing, Costco towel using, wax makes his paint shine blabbering fool, I know not to take his word on anything. You're right. For that guy, a headlight cleaned with toothpaste might yield good enough results. You will have to take his word for it if you're inclined that way. But in my videos and the way I see it, my word is worth crap. That's why I let YOUR EYES tell you the truth.

Because who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?

[C.J]

I've used Adam's Revive Polish on fogged headlights, and it works well. I've tried it on many friend's cars where their headlights are really hazed over, and with a little rubbing, it really does a nice job. If you have some on hand, give it a try.

[Vprbite]

For headlights, it seems like choice of product isn't as big an issue. They just need an agressive cut to give any lasting results. Especially when you think about why they are hazed. I've seen people that aren't yellowed but because of the shape are scratched to the point of being like frosted glass.


And junkman, don't be knocking fat girls. They'll keep ya warm and they'll keep ya fed.

[Junkman2008]

The problem with toothpaste is it is too aggressive to leave a perfect finish. So you're going to need to step it down with a lesser aggressive... toothpaste in order to finish down to a perfect shine.

Aw hell, just use polishes!

[Vprbite]

But none of them smell like mint!!!

[Junkman2008]

[TrackAire]

For headlights, it seems like choice of product isn't as big an issue. They just need an agressive cut to give any lasting results. Especially when you think about why they are hazed. I've seen people that aren't yellowed but because of the shape are scratched to the point of being like frosted glass.


And junkman, don't be knocking fat girls. They'll keep ya warm and they'll keep ya fed.

^^^^^ Don't forget about shade they provide when you're out in the summer sun!!