Headlight Restoration Without the Gimmicks | Complete Sanding Steps

In today's short but sweet video, I show you how I refinish and restore headlights back to new! No wipe on product, no miracle cream, just good ole fashioned sanding and elbow grease. This method creates the perfect starting point for headlight film to keep headlights looking new for years to come!
So yes, I've made a video on headlight restoration before but this video is all about skipping the appetizer and getting straight to the main course. My white Honda Civic had a case of SEVERE headlight coating failure and needed a complete refresh. The idea is to remove ALL of the existing clear coat to get the headlights down to bare plastic. This is perfect for people with peeling clear coat, or patches in the clear coat. Yellowed headlights that STILL have clear can often be fixed (short term) with a little bit of polish. Once the headlight is down to bare plastic and looking PERFECT, it's best to get them wrapped in paint protection film to keep them from oxidizing or yellowing in the future. Basically, the headlights CAN'T yellow again if they can't oxidize. The other option is 2K clear, great method just more room for error.
Sanding headlights may seem scary, but honestly once you do it once its a cake walk. There's plenty of headlight restorers on the market but the biggest issue is that it's often a short time fix for a long term problem. Sanding will also result in the best finish obtainable in my opinion. For reference, I did this same technique on my Red Honda Civic almost TWO YEARS ago and they still look brand new with the PPF. So sit back, and enjoy the results!
For a longer version of this process WITH the PPF install, click the link below!
Long Version: • A Perfectionist Approa...
Here's a list at some of the things used in this video!
3M 1000 Grit: amzn.to/2YmKaqq
3M: 1500 Grit: amzn.to/2ZsktRv
3M 2000 Grit: amzn.to/2KzF40j
3M 3000 Grit: amzn.to/2Zu1czl
KXK Sanding Blocks: www.theragcompany.com/kxk-dyn...
Rupes Pads and Liquids: theragcompany.com/collections...
Thanks for watching!
- ALLDAYANTHONY

[@keeks1191]

I love that this guy does civic builds helps us so much do more civic builds for cheap ❤️😩😩😩

[@bao1553]

Did this on my headlights, same method except I didn’t have the drill. Turned out great thank Anthony!

[@matth6284]

Awesome dude! I used the video you made with your red Civic to restore my white Civics headlights and they look great now! Keep up the great content man 🤙🏽✌🏽

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Awesome Matt! Glad they are still holding up!

[@duweydang]

I've used the polish/wax method before. Learned to just sand it and clear coat it with 2k aerosol clear. Look brand new and won't oxidize as quickly. And won't need to wax periodically.

[@tezhe8144]

i honestly like your videos when theyre 20 mins plus! very entertaining

[@joe.b206]

Great job! I had to do something similar on my wife’s Acura MDX but I used a headlight restorer kit by Meguiars and it worked perfect.

[@Claasic]

Awesome bro great video thank you so much for getting right to the process and showing us and explaining clearly what to do❤️🤟🏽

[@supercarshiv3074]

Literally goals!!

[@sixeight8621]

Love that transition to the white car in the outro

[@vtec-619]

Lights look amazing!!👌

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Thanks man! Getting better and better!

[@wopino]

Beautiful man, great job 🙌

[@randolph5401]

So satisfying to watch. 🤩

[@AzraelsFlame]

This channel is a really awesome hidden gem

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

thanks fam!

[@hondacivicnation2012]

Beautiful work.

[@B5S4SCHA]

Hey Anthony, I do PPF for a living here in SLC and use Xpel material and can have it plotted, if you need anything shipped your way, I can plot and ship it out to you! Not just headlights, I did the rear lower quarter panels as well! I just did my ek headlights as well, followed your steps, and they look brand new. Nothing beats the OEM headlights

[@kevinmonzel]

I'm trying to restore the headlights on my S2000 and still haven't found a great method. thanks for your vid

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

This in my opinion is the best way to get the best restoration along with PPF

[@kevinmonzel]

@@ALLDAYANTHONY Love chrisfix, tried his headlight method, results weren't up to my vintage Japanese sports car standards. Prolly good enough for a buddies rusty truck. High gloss polish and film is the way to go for show car looks. Thanks Anthony!

[@ag92oo4]

@@kevinmonzel to get a real permanent fix use 2k clear the one with a hardner. The clear coat chrisfix used was just normal clear coat.

[@Gramps83]

@@ag92oo4 2K infers hardener. It stands for 2 component.

[@hunterf.836]

A bunch of great video tutorials on how to restore headlights. I used a 3M kit that worked pretty well. Not new car quality, but definitely improved clarity and look.

[@fullsendz3236]

Another thought, circular motion when sanding also makes the sand scratches smaller and avoids leaving spots that won't buff out

[@rudysalas9138]

This is my weekend task for my headlights.

[@muhammadaliiii]

Most straightforward and best upload yet! Definitely going to try this on my EK soon

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Thanks man! Trimmed this one down a bit compared to my other videos lol

[@lambogini57]

@@ALLDAYANTHONY Hey ALLDAYANTHONY, most places don't have 1500 sand paper, am I able to jump from 1000 to 2000? I checked a lot of hardware shops and they have less than 1000, then they have 1000 and 2000 and above.

[@bigjizzslinger4294]

@@lambogini57 shit walmart has 1500

[@lambogini57]

@@bigjizzslinger4294 but it's only available in a few weeks, nothing in hand right now..

[@alexcosmos1510]

This is what the world needs to see!!!

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Thanks for checking it out

[@NOAHCASAS]

HANDS DOWN THE BEST HEADLIGHTS RESTORATION VIDEO ON YOU·TUBE PART 2 AMAZING RESULTS AND THIS IS FOR THAT BEST A PERMENT RESULTS FOR LONG LASTING YEARS TO COME GREAT AMAZING D.I.Y. VIDEO INFORMATION ON THIS CONTENT THANKS ANTHONY ✌🏼OUT

[@ExpressionCulture]

Great video, very informative

[@Waveito2]

I try avoiding catching things that I don’t want to catch too

[@MichaelFlare]

Finally, one of the few people in modern day showing us how to restore it properly. I freakin hate it when people do all the sanding steps then skip the machine polishing (compound & polish) steps and go straight into that stupid clear coat spray, and think they're headlights are clear and proper. It's so dumb. All they did is disguise the super scratched up lens. If the lens don't look super clear before you apply any sealants (clear coat, sealant, ceramic coat, film), then it's not ready to be sealed.

[@lil-brisk9571]

Awesome gonna have try this on my 02 civic soon

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

give it a shot!

[@MichaelBrianInc]

Great results! If these were yellowed all over what grit would you have used to start? I’m impressed that 1000 took off the old clear so well.

[@GrouchyVlogs]

I literally just searched this topic up and I seen this brand new upload so funny

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Haha awesome!

[@becker22surfer]

I just replaced my prelude headlights but kept the oem ones.. I’ll give this a shot and see if I can save them!

[@neelnag627]

I need clean headlights haha, thanks for the video

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Thanks for watching dude

[@ghostpimp]

Good video!!!

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Thanks man!

[@dionijuniordelacruz1760]

I'LL do the same to my 96 Ex. Todo job broth!!

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Thanks man! Do it!

[@KeganP04]

pog champ now i can restore the lights on my truck

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Do it!

[@user-A-A-RON]

Glass top oven cleaner works great too.

[@johnd.5367]

make more videos about fixing our civics, earned a sub

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Working on it!

[@ZackNakazora1]

Instead of ppf can you apply a good 2k clear and then standard clear coat procedure? Let it harden then cut and buff?

[@jeffc6832]

What are your thoughts on using a short throw DA (Nano or FLEX PXE80) with sanding interface instead of hand sanding?

[@rustyramblings5807]

I was just watching one of your junk yard videos.I just bought a 1980 Civic.Trying to find some parts for it.Any ideas for wrecking yard or used parts?Thanks

[@Moudi]

Another thing, you could ceramic coat the headlights aswell to protect them instead of the film

[@outlawtone8254]

Do you have any tips on what clear coat to use for us that want to do that part ourselves?

[@austyndeko934]

How low is the civic? I bought 2.5 inch lowering springs for my 2005 civic lx but I'm scared they won't fit and will cause bad rubbing.

[@FreddyDalto]

Nice

[@Spellsey]

Hi anthony, i work at a PPF shop. Which ppf are you using? Many PPF dont have any UV inhibitors in there. I always suggest PPFing first then ceramic coating over lights to protect from yellowing.

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Hey man, so xpel ultimate, stek, and suntek will all drastically reduce UV. The idea is not only to stop UV but to keep air from getting to the outside of the headlight. Air also has to do with oxidation

[@Yoltzy03]

Sheeeeeesh!

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh

[@JamieTheCleaner]

Here for the marmot content

[@neailprasad1905]

God damn lol Thas a brand new light

[@mzsexidreadz]

Is there a difference in sandpaper for cars and the one you buy from Home Depot? Is it the same

[@Wildwes1981]

What drill are u useing for the buffing for the head lights ?

[@williamhouse754]

❤️❤️❤️

[@jerryybarra7390]

We want more Honda grom videos

[@trnrchio2262]

The other week on your Instagram you posted a picture of the cleaned up engine bay on the white Civic, are you gonna drop the video on that process cause that'll be super useful

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Yep that’s coming up!

[@trnrchio2262]

@@ALLDAYANTHONY awesome! My 96 hatch and I will be waiting (:

[@boxer951]

You could just add 2k clear coat on it after your done sanding and polishing the headlights. But you definitely have to add protection to the finished headlight,otherwise in 2-3 months it'll look worse then before,trust me I did that 3 times! Till I finally did the 4th time except I added 2k clear coat. Not the 1k though! If you really want it to look good and last years,use the 2k clearcoat. Or wrapping the headlight with a clear vinyl tape also works from what I hear.

[@pabloyip-pon7367]

Can i do this on the inside of my headlights? I have scratches from the inside since Ive done some mods to them

[@isaiahsantiago9989]

Imma detailed in Florida was wondering if I can send you some dope products

[@SlowDelSol]

I have a $30 bottle of ceramic coat from Amazon that I use only on headlight restorations. Works great. I don’t go up to 3000 grit, I stop at 2000 and then heavy compound. I might try adding the 3000 next time and see if I notice a difference.

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Try the 3k! I think it levels out the rest of any sanding marks and adds that final touch

[@bloodyszn2427]

What kind of polisher do you have ?

[@MichaelBrianInc]

Can you use those pads with a cordless drill?

[@MegaMC777]

If I go with the clear coat route, should I go 3000 grid, then clear, then wet sand/ polish if needed, or do what you did there, then clear? Don’t want to to peel off, lol.

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

You could probably clear at 2000 grit if you wanted. Then let cure and sand down with 3k and polish

[@gonzo5721]

I’ve seen other videos where they spray clear coat at the end what are your thoughts?

[@6thstanza700]

It isn't suggested because the clear coat you apply (depending which one you are using) will refract light differently through the lens. There's a video here on youtube about it somewhere, just can't find it.

[@HoodieGlaze]

YESSSSSSSS

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Thanks for showing up man

[@Xmatador20]

So you have to take it to a shop so they can put a film protection for the headlights ? Which shop ? And do you have a link for your polish machine 👍🏻

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

You CAN attempt to do it yourself. I did in my first video and thought I didn’t a horrible job. Most shops can do it for 20-40 bucks a headlight. From there, you’re good to go.

[@Waveito2]

Will air craft stripper work on this to take off the old clear or would it melt through the plastic?

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Hahahaha we all know the answer to that question!

[@benrios9643]

So this is what Anthony does outside of TRC!

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

No idea what you’re taking about!

[@realmccoyarmada]

Just curious, on your other video with your Red civic, why did you use so many level grit sand paper whereas you only use 4 here?

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

I did, and I think that the red did turn out better overall. But still happy with using 4 grits on the white one

[@danieljerloew]

Is that a rubber wedding ring? ;-) practical

[@joshuam.6404]

Is that tool just a orbital tool? Like Milwaukee or something?

[@adidas1984x]

Should you paint clear on it after it’s done ?

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

You can do clear, but I really think PPF is the better long term option. Rock chip resistance and UV resistant

[@6thstanza700]

Is there a reason you didn't want to do the PPF yourself - like you did with the red civic? Wouldn't that be more economical than bringing it to a shop?

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

To be honest, I didn’t do the best job when I did it. At least not good enough for my OCD so I had a shop re-do it lol

[@damient2851]

Tho anyone one just need a quick job use laqer thinner and water and the yellow goes of like that make sure to wipe quick and spray water quick as well cause the thinner will leave smudges if y leave it long enough but only do this if y need a quick job

[@anthonyvasquez9068]

👍

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

thanks for watching man!

[@lambogini57]

Am i able to jump from 1000 to 2000 grit?

[@rickvia8435]

Does it really take 250 gallons of water to clean a headlight lens? I just take a little toothpaste, a wet rag and less than 1/2 pint pint of water (to keep the grit in the toothpaste thinned out). Works GREAT. A ton of water is WAY too much.

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

If you’re comparing this to the work that toothpaste and a wet rag can do, this video may be on an entire other level that what you normally watch

[@user-xm8pr7yr2r]

Anyone have any suggestions for what I should/can do to my 03 lx coupe. I wanna do a lil something with it as this will be my car for a while so please hit me up with any ideas. Also what are good engines I could swap into it?

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Lower it and throw wheels on it!

[@user-xm8pr7yr2r]

@@ALLDAYANTHONY I got it on skunk springs im thinking about doing the 15x7 setup.

[@tommydukes1979]

How long before you sell it?

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

I'm thinking within the next few months! Once I get it all finished up

[@marshaunmurph4158]

HID or LED??

[@bigjizzslinger4294]

Do you not ppf headlight yourself anymore?

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

I can, I’m just not very good at it lol

[@oon783]

Is this chrixfix alternate channel???

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

He’s a brother from another mother

[@critterproformance1824]

I had headlight on my 00 civic and they were to the point to there was no fixing

[@cali562west]

I tried this didn't work so well. I just need up buy new ones.

[@diegos_ej8362]

1

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Verified first!

[@rajsieunarine8436]

He put a lip on her! ^-^

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Shhh 🤫

[@demonevox8893]

Why didn’t you use Cerakote’s headlight restoration kit? Works like a charm. Devin niemela uses it on his channel all the time on his Evos and it works and last long with no issues at all.

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

I think those kits work well for yellowed headlights. Or if you want to wipe on the clear coat after you reach 2k grit worth of sanding. It’s essentially wipe on clear coat that has self leveling abilities. Not a bad thing, just not the route I like to go

[@JamesBond-uj8mz]

It is just solid plastic through and through there is no clearcoat on a headlight, it is just solid plastic through and through

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

No

[@paulclerk8224]

We should be careful on money useage,if you are not spending to earn back,then stop spending.

[@mariannafernandez2706]

Apparently my view on the solution is to venture into business .

[@loganbright154]

True ! Even some rich men made it through investing there money in something doing and they made it.

[@Onlinehustle991]

I do real estate,stock market ,forest trade and cryptosystem.

[@philipcollins288]

The right chioce of an investment has always been a big problem for me I know picking a wrong investment will leave a big scar in the future

[@Brianwalker291]

Of course it is profitable,I made good profit of $20,000 with the capital of $4500 in my last trading I have made over $200,000.

[@ag92oo4]

Skip the the polish and clear film. If you want a real permanent fix use 2k clear the one with a hardner. Clear PPF film overtime will turn yellow and will need to be reapplied.

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

PPF will resist yellowing for around 10 years nowadays. The best part? The film yellows, pull it off and you still have a perfect headlight. Then reapply. With 2k, you’ll stick get rock chips, still get scratches, and in order to refinish, you have to do this ALL over again. I speak from experience. That’s why PPF makes the most long term sense

[@keithroberts5611]

These headlights don't need restoration there fine🤔? Perhaps two years time when lens will be oxidizing yellowing foggy cloudy!!!

[@loganc2068]

Out of the blue... I have a civic I'd like to see go to you I'm in ny and I have a 99 civic coupe about halfway through a kswap. It's got quite a few goodies on it reply if you might be interested and I can give you my email

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

man, I don't think I have room for another civic lol

[@matthewhetes9965]

You think yours are destroyed? You clearly havent seen my car

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

haha give this method a shot! Might bring them back to life!

[@fsega3669]

It’s cheaper and or cost just as much as buying new headlights compared to buying all those products and its less time consuming. It may not be OEM but it’s a budget project car regardless

[@ALLDAYANTHONY]

Yes and no. For a civic, sure. But aftermarket headlights are an entirely different headache. I guess you just need to choose your battles. For me, I would rather go this route for the results and the long term gain