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Restoring Your Headlights | Hacks vs Kits

Crooked Mustache

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I tested viral headlight restoration hacks against real headlight restoration kits to find out what actually works on oxidized headlights.

We tested OFF bug spray, WD-40, Magic Eraser, Gojo hand cleaner, DOT 3 brake fluid, Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish, Rain-X Headlight Restorer, and the Chemical Guys Headlight Restoration & Ceramic Kit on four old headlights from a 2011 Chevy Suburban and a 2006 Saab 9-7X.

Which method actually restores foggy headlights — and which one is complete BS?

Comment what I should test in Part 2.

00:09 We received some complaints
00:20 The products we’re testing
00:42 Discussing the Comments
01:09 Quick Clean up
01:27 Taping Off Headlights
01:48 Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish
02:57 Magic Eraser headlight test
04:26 OFF bug spray headlight hack
07:02 DOT 3 brake fluid test
08:16 Comparing First 4 Results
08:53 WD-40 headlight restoration
10:24 Gojo / Fast Orange test
11:24 Chemical Guys Headlight Restoration Kit
13:25 Rain-X Headlight Restorer Kit
15:22 What actually worked?
15:59 Final 2 Showdown
17:50 Final 2 results side by side
18:01 Completing all Headlights
18:44 Final results Breakdown

#headlightrestoration #headlightrestore #foggyheadlights #carhacks #diycar

20 Comments

@CrookedMustache Creator 4 months ago Pinned

Alright, tell me what I did wrong 😂

What should I test in Part 2 — toothpaste, Cerakote, vinegar/baking soda, polish, compound, or some other driveway science experiment?

@cytherians 1 month ago

I used the Sylvania headlight restoration kit. It starts with an activator that softens the outer layer and lifts off some of the oxidation. You then follow with 3 grades of sandpaper -- 400, 1000, and 2000. After that, you apply a compound. And then after that, more activator, which is then followed with a UV clearcoat. Now, this process worked, but the clearcoat is applied with a shop paper towel in layered strokes that requires finesse... as it's really hard to avoid streaks. But if you do it right, it looks great and will hold up for a couple of years.

@NitroDuchownypl 4 months ago

Świetny film. Cieszę się że trafiłem na wasz kanał 👍
(Great video. I’m glad that i find your channel)

@cubanita0587 4 months ago

3:05 I couldn’t help but think “Wet, squeeze, bang, blow” 😂

@circotribecirco3366 1 month ago

Thank you for the comparison! I tried the wall eraser. There was improvement, but not enough. I tried the turtle wax brand. That's better. Next time, I'll try Mothers. There's an aluminum frame chair I want to clean too.

Now I can ignore all those headlight cleaning hack videos.

@michaelc.1588 2 months ago (edited)

I 🗳 Mothers Mag
I saw a video with mothers on lamp 1 & an Extensive sanding regiment on lamp 2 long with diminishing grits & a polish & a coating....took a long time & MOTHERS still looked better!

@resabape 1 month ago

Is there any sealant suggested for the Mothers product? It looks good but I would like to know how long before the next Mothers treatment without a sealant?

@dan8402 4 months ago (edited)

Mothers mag and aluminum cleaner for the win! Then just put a coat of wax on it, or I am guessing you could do a ceramic treatment to seal it. This assuming you didn't want to pay for the rainx. I wonder how the rainx would work if you used the applicator tool. Maybe a deeper polish?

@andrewjackson7535 4 months ago (edited)

Rain x but how long will it last before you have to do it again?

@josebegui 4 weeks ago

Soft Scrub kitchen appliance cleaner works too - the I polish with toothpaste

@DJ-WHAT-DA-KUT 2 weeks ago

Wish He Would've Used The Buffer With RAIN-X Just Too See if Results Would've Been Clearer.

@dragonbreathwales 2 months ago

Cerakote kit

@theperfectbrother 2 months ago

whats the name of the buffing attachment you used on the drill for the mothers polish

@RLong73 3 weeks ago

You used the chemical guy’s product wrong. You start out with the orange side and then use the white side as well then use the sealer

@SockyNoob 4 days ago

Sylvania kit is the best

@Omardottcom 4 months ago

I wonder if the mother’s even works better if used with the magic eraser. 🤔

@alexneil6488 1 month ago

mothers...

@papagump1744 8 days ago

Mothers#1

@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi 4 months ago

There's a product called VUPLEX. We use it in the aviation industry for aircraft cockpits. It's also used on motorcycle helmets and boat windows etc. allll Polycarbonate or plastic. It's amazing, spray it on follow instructions new plastic use microfibre old plastic use cotton cloth. Give it a couple of goes and most headlights that aren't too bad come back.