WD40 VS 3M | Best Headlight Restoration Method?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- DIY Bri Shows you the best method for cleaning your dull yellow headlights, he tests WD-40 against the 3M headlight restoration system. Find out the best headlight restoration polish in this video! Find out the real TRUTH about WD 40 vs Headlights!!
Link to the 3M Kit
amzn.to/2mZyQv6
Link to WD-40
amzn.to/2Ovxc0Z
Link to the Camera I used for this video
amzn.to/2Ke9kLW
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I used chrome polish and a white scrub pad. Buffed off by hand and it's like brand new!
Just did yesterday: Colgate regular toothpaste, baking soda, regular (table) grit-sized salt. Smooth on towel and scrub until you are happy. Leave on 30 minutes. Wipe off with moist towel. Repeat as needed.
Update: adding a little (tablespoon) Pepsi/coke to the mix does strengthen it(credit RP enterprise comment) Just did the other car. I’m getting ready to wipe with the WD-40 per commenter on this post and another TH-cam video to see if it shines. It has been mentioned to spray with Plexus after cleaning to prevent it from getting on there. Spray about 3 times a year. I’m planning to purchase some.
Did you mix the baking soda and salt in with the tooth paste or did you do it seperately
And then use WD-40!
I used those ingredients along with coca cola let it sit for 2 hours, looks like new
@@private1178 thanks for your feedback. Every dollar and time saved is worth it! Some car paint can’t handle the acid in Coca-Cola so may need to cover some of the car with plastic, if that is used.
@@private1178 all I have is Pepsi. Probably would work the same.
You should name this video, "This is Why There are no Quick Fixes to Headlight Restoration." Great job!
I agree! Thanks!
Yeah, really. An honestly titled video on it.
The WD-40 lubricant flows into the miniature valleys that we see as scratches. Since oils have a similar refraction coefficient to plastic the scratches appear to fill in and the lens seems to clean up. Your clever experiment of wiping off the WD-40 with a degreaser shows exactly why this is a temporary measure. Using oils to coat scratches on a number of different materials is actually a very old restoration trick....hey, whatever works!
This is true! Just goes to show us what we don't know about simplicity!
That was an honest review of the WD-40 method. Well done.
Look i
Buddy of mine told me to use deep woods off on a cloth. Cleaned the hell out of my old 96 f150 headlights. I was skeptical but it actually worked quite well. Probably like the wd40 as well
Used the 3M and it works great. You can use your drill with the attachment that comes in the kit. Don't waste your time covering up the problem because it won't last (maybe not even a couple of days). The different grit sandpapers do the job.
I sanded down a really bad pair of headlights on a mk5 Golf it was a little lockdown project in 2020. I used 3000 grit sandpaper then 5000 and then 7000 after that I used T cut polish and finished off with turtle wax polish 90% of the fogging was gone and my mum was simply amazed. She said she kept accidentally thinking her full beams were on when actually her headlights were performing how they should. They were really bad so I could not remove all the fog but all in all I saved her £120 on a new set with only £15 worth of gear.
Popcorn
@@ericmackey461 You actually read his lifestory?
@@gravemind65369
Well done! My first question was, 'Well, how long will the WD40 last?', and the answer was
revealed while watching, thanks!
Use mothers aluminum mag polish. Works like a charm. I used a old wash rag to put the polish on and then wiped it clean with a another wash cloth. Still looks good after two weeks
Shhhhhh they’re not ready for this conversation
@@NOBODY-ws3ui LOL I'm still using Mothers works like a Mother F Los Angeles
It's what I've been using, works great and it is fast.
an* old
Thanks for the video it answered some questions I had. I just tried the 3m system with nice results. It is certainly better than many other kits.
Great to hear!
Sanding the old plastic will cause it to create very tiny cracks. Eventually the cover will fill with water. My Lincoln LS had a new cover added, so the repair center used a polishing wheel to clean the other lens. Five days layer it leaked. There are some better things available that is a type of cleaner polish that brings back the clarity and it has a finisher you put on by hand once per year. That was three years ago.
Yes if you sand them too much they are permantly fucked as the clear coat is gone the sanding method should only be used once and from then onwards prevent further residue by waxxing the lights every season and keeping them polished.
I wondered why your new headlight was leaking...
Most headlights out there, just sand them with 2000 grit, then use any cutting compound to polish them, and voila!. Apply your preferred brand paint protection film on them to keep them looking new for years
Dont forget to sand them with water😁
@@Dankkize So You're telling to me that crude oil is not a good lubricate when sanding poly carbonated headlights? Why so?
Except the sanding causes microscopic fissures that will eventually cause cracks and you'll need to replace the assembly. Clear Coat is NOT for headlamps. Best choice? Use this on a new car: Meguiar's G17804 Keep Clear Headlight Coating. Spray it ever year. (Pick something like every Valentine's Day, so you remember, and it's the same date.) If your car is older, and it's already yellowed, use the sanding methods, but only once, so you don't wear down the plastic. Then, forget using the coating in the kits (many make them; 3M, Sylvania, etc.) because it's just another Clear Coat product, and will eventually wear off again. The Meguiar's doesn't break down.
P.S. Before I learned all this, I was just a kid, and used clear nail polish. I figured it out myself, and it worked, but took forever, and still wasn't as good as Meguiar's.
Guess everyone forgot about Clear or tinted headlight film!! Once you remove the haze just put that film in place and it lasts for years - you can even change it up.
This is an awesome quick fix until the necessary 3M product can be purchased. Pretty much everyone has a can of WD40 or RP7 laying around. I will certainly be doing this on my daughters car! Hugs from Australia.... and many thanks!
I don’t know how but…. I have several cans of WD40 in my garage😅
I had trying the WD40 the results are temporary.
lying* around
WD40 works fine. Just don't wipe over it with degreaser or window cleaner afterwards. It will have to be done regularly because rain and car washes will remove it, but a can of WD40 is pretty cheap and you can do both headlights in about a minute using a cloth rag or even a soft paper towel.
Yeah sure, the choice is Yours whether You do the restoring well every few years, or You play with Your WD-40 wipes every other day.
Personally I have so much other things in my life to do but keep on wiping my cars head lights continuously, many times in a week...
Life is full of choices, some of those are easier than others.
@@MegaMiemiemie tool
@@77racing71 AGREED!!
WD40 and toothpaste with baking soda works great.... its cheap and it lasts.
I was a little annoyed when he asked "did the WD-40 really clean the headlight" and didn't show us the towel.
I used aceytone to remove yellowing and build up of people trying to resore the uv damage...aceytone, 1 swipe, melted it together, then just now I used wd 40 and finished it off....great...thanks for the WD 40 hack......
Mothers mag & crome polish, just did my car and couldnt believe how easy. Even if it only lasts 6 months its incredible! Tried the 3m and was Not as impressed with results.
It's what I use!!👍👍
I always used WD40. Hit it once in a while and you are all good.
Just done my Mazda with WD40, great results !!
Actually, you can get "clear bra" or similar transparent material (at tint shops) to cover your lights. It's cheap and replaceable if damaged by rocks. I get every car I own front wrapped, even the side mirrors.
Works wonders.
My husband used Off spray for mosquitoes. Worked perfect! I used a Mexican product called Ariel. It’s soap. I wet the headlight, and in a cloth, I sprinkled the soap and rub the lights. It worked perfectly for my Maxima headlights. I tried W-40, didn’t work.
Thank you for the truth! Using a rubbing compound, either with a polisher or by hand 😞 since I don't have one, pays off in the long-run. 🙏
*Know your chemistry.* Acetone (nail polish remover) reacts negatively to the polycarbonate headlight cover and will PERFECTLY clear your headlights anywhere from 7-12 months of direct sunlight (UV rays).
The only reason for sanding them (if needed) is if there's a coating such as clearcoat on them. Unnecessary unless you just want it. 👍
I've rerad to NEVER use nail polish remover , just pure acetone ,as the npr has additives .
Does acetone alone clean the headlights, or is it a part of steps to cleaning the headlights?
The wax you're "cleaning off" is UV protection that keeps it from fading and getting yellow again.
i agree with the rest of viewers you should have done the same process for both products, wd40 does more than that, i even clean up my appliances at home with it, stainless steel and even my bbq pit whihc is made of stainless steel and had rust,
I had great rest with only rubbing compound and a old t shirt to buff it of the lights
Same! Followed it up with Maguire's headlight sealer. Wow!
I think the key to keeping these looking clear is to spray seal them with with a clear seal that is ultra violet resistant.
Don't tell the truth to everyone, man! WD-40's manufacturer is going to be bankrupted... LOL
Wax them every season. Because its not just UV that fades them but acid rain too.
After restoration to keep lens clarity I recommend after washing the vehicle apply Turtle wax repair polish with UV blockers!! A small amount on a micro fibre cloth spread evenly over each lens leave for 5min's and then a light buff by hand will double the time before before restoration comes around again, I always use 3M kits have never failed me just Brilliant along with Meguiars clearcoat!!🤔😊🇬🇧👍
WD40 is a great water displacing anti-corrosion product. Not so much a headlight restoring cleaner, as you demonstrate. Also using degreaser and window cleaner on PLASTIC headlights will cause the haze and yellowing to accelerate. After the polishing, good job on that, using a UV protecting coating is advisable.
Instablaster...
WD40 will mask things for a day or two thats it.
Degreaser was used to simulate what washing will do over time not as the actual process
I’ve been looking around for the best method and product. Gonna try this one out. Thank you for sharing.
I didn't see you lather the 3M one in degreaser like the other. I think I'm going to test the WD-40 myself. Water falls from the sky, but engine degreaser doesn't. Unless you've had a train de-railment nearby or are near the Mississippi river post nuclear waste water purge.
Try mothers aluminum polish. 3-5 applications and buffing work best.
I coated my plastic lenses with Turtle Wax paste wax and have not had any dulling in 3 years.
Yes do this every season and your headlights will be just fine prevention is the only way with plastic headlights.
Temporary fix I use is power steering fluid or brake fluid
Would it have made a difference if you prepped the W-d 40 side the same way
You got some serious tool boxes there !!!
There all filled with WD40 cans
@@rocketrod9545 That's right. That dude is a heavy user of WD-40's. LOL.
Great video. I saw another video youtuber that uses WD40 and the headlights looked clean and clear. But I did not relise that after a while the yellowish color came back. Youy proved WD40 actually didn't work.
Tan Ty wrong wd 40 works for me!!!
@@mrgeorgeleach7498 maybe so, but it doesn't work better than the 3M
SF2 works best for me.... cheap.... instant... lasts for weeks... even through a rainstorm no yellowing... cheaper... reusable... longer lasting product 👍🏾.... I'm about getting the most for less not trying to compete with 3m or "wipe new" cleaners🙄🤷🏾♂️
For the long lasting shiny and more shiny ,the 3M kit had better cleaning by the WD40. But, the cleaning by 3M kit spent more time.
No shit, Sherlock?
I have a friend that has a handicap enabled van that was sitting in the sun stationary for 4 years. Never cleaned. My friend did not really keep it clean that well before that. She got the van where she can drive it again and we are going to try and get all the hard gunk off of it and clean and shine it the best we can. A lot of oxidation. The lens have become really yellow and we were thinking about buying new headlights. I am thinking about trying something like this 3M product first. I used to use glass cleaner on my lights when I clean my car, never thought about using WD-40. Are there any negative effects if used over long term?
WD40 will not work it will just mask the issue for 2 days tops depending on climate. If they are really bad polish will not be enough you will need to sand them down then polish them and then wax them and keep waxing them every season to prevent fogginess returning.
Hi good video question 1 you have to clean the headlight with degreaser or windows cleaner and how many time you spray w clear coat one or twice also how long you let it dry 20 or 30 minutes b
I usually spray the WD-40 directly on the headlight itself and then spread it around
3mm kit look good 👍🏼
Fantastic video! Thanks for posting. 👍
I use the liquid 'Bar keepers friend.'
Rub on...rub off. Perfectly clear headlights in minutes.
I hit it with wet sand and clear coat then the wd 40 method let dry then clean soap and water worked fine.
What grit
@@ryanclark7295 600
Schaeffers Penetro 90 would probably clean it too. I've seen demos of their products and I am switching everything. Lab results also show excellent results and blew Amsoil and all others out of the water
IMO Its easier to just re apply the wd40 on the headlights each time I wash my car? its a lot less hassles and cheaper?
That's awesome. Thanks for doing this video!
If you had sanded the WD-40 light it probably would have been just as beautiful
My thoughts exactly
Clear coat ? Wow that sounds pretty cool
Project farm did a video on headlight restoration kits you should check it out. I believe Sylvania came out as the best. So happens they make lights too lol
A quicker and cheaper alternative to the 3M restoration kit is Meguiar's ultimate compound. With a drill pad it might take a little longer, but a few squirts of that on a DA pad and I can restore both my headlights in maybe 30s apiece!
Just use “island girl”
This is well done. I was surprised the WD worked this good. I tried it and I had fair results but it needs more work to do a good job.
Does this work for old plastic headlight covers too ? Or only glass headlight covers.
As far as I know, this applies to plastic headlight covers only. Glass ones do not need any treatment unless you drive thru sand storms on a regular basis.
My diy method is 2000 wet n dry sandpaper with water and just rub back at the headlight until the lens is looking nice and clear and then just use car polish to bring back the shine
You should do a video all about WD40, from its humble beginnings all the way to today...a must have in every toolbox, house, etc.
what clear coat do you recommend?
Faster fix that works and lasts
1 sand with wet 1000 grit paper with soapy water
2 now use 2000 grit wet sand again
3 rinse off with clean water and dont touch with your greasy fingers afterwards
4 use paper towel to damp dry and now it will show a fine milk finish with no blemishes of old coating left behind or redo step 1 and 2 to get it better.
5 once done get a good fine brush and a small can of liquid plastic Varathane
6 Best finish without any runs is headlight out and facing up and brush on an nice thin coat of varathane.
7 will dry to tack in under a hr or 2 but if one careful you can reinstall or let dry overnight in a place with low dust etc and good eg is stash in oven hehehe. Just dont turn on by accident.
This will develop to a factory glass hard surface in few days lasting many years.
8 Headlight will be back to perfect clear factory gloss finish that can be redone in a few years if needed note : i have done fast on vehicles for sale still mounted and got perfect results on all signal lights doing the same way
After using WD40, did you try using clear coat to maintain it.
To use a clear coat You would have to remove the WD-40 from the surface first, because clear coat needs a dry surface to get a grip. So You understand that WD-40 is useless when using a clear coat sealing...
Awesome the truth .... Thankyou I've used both 3M is by far the best ever ! I've had atleast 12 different family members who had hazed headlights and I've made them look new again thanks to 3M !! Great video as always two thumbs up !!!
Thanks man! I really love these 3M kits..
It works i was impressed, i will continue to use it, thanks so much
Thanks Mr For Your Help It Really Did Work
I'm glad it worked!
Use WD-40 on polycarbonate headlight lenses and it will clear them for a while, then UV will turn them BROWN and they will crumble. Mother's, McGuire's, 3M, Eastwood's and other's all make excellent headlight restoration kits but they take some time and effort and the good ones cost some money for the polish and the buffs.
You're so right. WD-40, toothpaste, or other chemicals simply don't do the job.
*Meguiar's
Used on my 2011 Cadillac STX 4 headlights looks great for now.
STX or XTS? Car is still ugly no matter how great or bright you think your headlights look.
Well I know what I will be doing next spring!
I have had satisfactory results using rubbing compound (cleaning ) followed with a coat of Nu-Finish ..
Lasts a couple of years , easy to do , quick 10/15 minutes each lamp , no taping , & cheap ....
same here. I use a headlight polish, which I suspect is rubbing compound with a different label on it. Followed by nu finish. Lasts about a year.
What Kind Of Sealant/Protectant Should I Use after Cleaning Headlights?
+How Do U Get Foggy Film From Inside All The Lights or Plastic Coverings?
Thanks
Q2 Trim works fine
45 bucks though! Yikes!!!
@@1maddoggs Cheaper than two new headlight units especially on more modern cars which use projectors and have DRLs and LEDs etc.
Even to these old Toyota Corolla ae100 can it brighten up
Great presentation and very helpful. Subscribed.
Hi, new subscriber. I saw ur tune-up video on ur suburban, hope the trip went well. I own a 09 tahoe ltz, love her. Two issues. After tuning she still slightly while driving when I brake it feel like the engine isn't down shifting equally with the braking. Again its slightly. Any recommendations?. 2nd issue. My auto ride z55 suspension. Is there something better available now its 2021 other than buying a new air box and rear air shocks.
Hi. I was Very glad to see the headlight video. Mine are far worse then yours.
Have you had a water leak on your front carpets, both sides. I’ve pulled the wheels and the splash guards and sealed every seam but still have a leak but not quite as bad. Any ideas ?
*than
Bam. Works like a charm
Nice!
Question, how about after applying WD40......................apply sealer or clear spray , the head lights will stay clean ?
That's it, I'm grabbing the 3M kit.
Have you tried tooth paste and warm water rinse?
Since these lens were originally clear coated if people would wax them as I have from new they stay new forever basically. The 3M product used carefully will only remove the haze and once waxed properly should look good for some time to come. Wax your automobile like a Fire Engine and it all stays new.
My 17 year old Pilot (2006) and 14 year old Ridgeline (2008) show no evidence of headlight damage. Yes, they are garaged. They only see occasional drive thru car washes.
Well what if you sand the other side as well, then WD-40...
But does'nt sanding thin the lens overtime, increasing the risk of cracking.
You will probably just have to do it max of 2x before you get a new car anyway.
I little big of brake fluid on a clean lint-free rag... nearly as fast as the WD-40 to put on, lasts a long time. Just make sure you don't get any of it on the car's paint.
I’ll use WD-40 tomorrow. Great video , cheers 🍻
On the WD-40 side you used a degreaser and window cleaner, on the other one you just used window cleaner. I wonder if one would seal it after the WD-40 if it would last longer. Just curious
I don't think it would last any longer. WD-40 leaves an oily surface, which would have to be removed before spreading the sealer... Get it?
Went ahead and bought me those buffer things. Will see how it works out. Ty
Nice! Let me know how it goes.
Hey how did it go?
@@savithrivenugopal He dead. Suffocated to those buffer things.
Wow...great polisher...nice video....👍👍😀
does it work on yellowed headlights?
So why didnt you put the engine clearer and glass cleaner on the 3M head light ?
tried WD40 twice. Each time it lasted about overnight and then cloudy again. The 3 M is my next step. When you get the oxidized plastic off by rubbing with the sand paper it is going to say clear longer. WD40 did not work
I do like your video, and smooth presentation .
Yeah but you didn't use the engine degreaser on the last headlight. Thought we missed that? Make things equal if you're going to recommend a product.
And I noticed that the lighting where the 3M was applied was a lot brighter compared to when the other headlight was shown
Glad you showed us that WD-40 may not be a good thing to use in this application.
Tried WD-40 it cleans up good the problem it only last about a week unless you don't mind cleaning them every week. I don't
Headlight was too new. Try a 20Year+ Light cover
Why you didn't put the decreased on the other side as well??
No need to the surface as been removed pay attention before leaving a stupid comment!!🙄
Thanks for sharing your videos. Super helpful.
Thank you brother the video was great!
If you have a quick solution for the peeling paint (e.g. front bumper) I am all ears :)
I don’t know if they just make the video to look good cause I try on my car and doesn’t work like that at all and not that east either
Great demo, thanks
Really good info! Thanks.. new subscriber
A quick rub with wd40 every few months is easier and cheaper. No tools required.
I thought the same thing...Pull out the can and a few seconds with a rag...
Dose not last that long. I have to do it every day
Definitely won’t last a few months maybe a day if u keep your car inside the garage
We 40 or a knock-off brand works for me is cheaper faster and less time consuming!!! It lasts about a week or two and pushes water away when it rains!!!!
Yaa it's work...grrrreat
Great video
The flat brim hat...smh
WD-40 is a no go. Just use some 3M rubbing compound. It does the trick.