I Restored My Yellow Headlights in 10 Minutes! 🤯 DIY Headlight Restoration, by Handy Hacks on YouTube. 6 min 32 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 32 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park the car out of direct sun and wash the headlight lenses with water and a cloth to remove dust and dirt.
Cut a fresh lemon and rub the cut face over the yellowed plastic. Work across the whole lens, not just the centre.
Squeeze a blob of white toothpaste onto a damp kitchen sponge. Avoid gel toothpaste, which has little grit.
Scrub the lens in small circles with firm pressure for a few minutes, adding water to keep the surface wet.
Wipe the toothpaste off with a clean damp cloth and check the lens in good light. Repeat the scrub if it is still cloudy.
Apply a small amount of automotive polish to a clean cloth and buff the lens in circles until it looks clear.
Wipe off the polish residue with a dry microfiber towel and check both headlights for an even finish.
Repeat the whole process on the second headlight so both sides match.
Tips and common mistakes
This is a cosmetic fix, so expect the yellowing to return in about 2 to 3 months.
Rinse the lens well so no toothpaste grit is left behind before you polish.
Test the lemon and toothpaste on a small corner first if the lens is old or has cracks.
Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, since lemon juice and polish can sting.
Questions
Does toothpaste really clear yellow headlights?
The mild grit in white toothpaste can polish away a thin layer of surface haze. It works best on light yellowing and does little for deep clouding or internal damage.
How long does this result last?
Usually around 2 to 3 months before the plastic starts to yellow again. A proper sanding and clear coat job lasts much longer.
Can I use gel toothpaste instead?
No, use a plain white paste toothpaste. Gel types are too smooth to polish the plastic.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
