DIY. How To Fix A Blurry Backup Camera.

[@EpicSoundsEnt]

My camera was jacked up for 3 months and all I did was use the Turtlewax Headlight Lens Restorer, dipped a Q-tip in and attached that to my drill. 30 seconds of that and wiped residue off with cloth and its back in business. Thank you!

[@spuddpei]

Thanks so much for this video. We bought our son and family a 2018 grand caravan and the backup camera was very cloudy. I thought I would change it but the dealer wanted almost 600 dollars for the camera and harness. I came upon your video and did exactly what you said to do. The camera view is completely clear now. Thanks again.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Great to hear my video was helpful for you. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@michelebrierre-lindsey8014]

! It worked!!! So simple. You saved me from the dealership trying to upsell me a new camera. Thank you!!!!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Glad it worked for you. Every time I diagnose something, I always look at maintenance items first. You don't always need new parts to make a fix. Thanks for watching and the great feedback.

[@mateo801]

You need to use a polishing disc on on a Dremel on medium speed. Saturate the disc several times with the polishing compound and always keep the disc moving. Once you start to feel friction, cover the polishing disc again. Clears 100% of the fogginess.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks for your input. I will definitely try that next time. Sounds like a great way of doing it.

[@Gonefishin27]

Worked! 😅 On my 2021 Kia Ceed SW. I had assumed that I had condensation inside the outer cover/lens (and no easy way to get the lens off). But your fix worked perfectly, just two minutes. Thank you ❤

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Glad it helped!

[@douglasferris4596]

I fixed mine like that. I used turtle wax. The light one. I put a q-tip on a drill. Dabbed it in the turtle wax. Good as new.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Glad it worked out for you. Can't go wrong with trying to polish it. Especially if are ready to buy a new one. How well did the qtip hold up?

[@douglasferris4596]

Didn’t hold up for long lol but it worked quite well. I had to improvise and use what I had.

[@danielmalice9468]

You don't need to do all that. Get a soft cloth and use either nail polish remover or 90% rubbing alcohol and clean it thoroughly. Big difference on my end. I encourage everyone to also try to order the part cheaply online and install it yourself if this doesn't work as dealerships will charge you hundreds.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I will give it a try. Thanks for the info. Thanks for watching.

[@494994958]

Clear nail polish ?

[@27short]

Nail polish or nail polish remover?

[@danielmalice9468]

@@27short Nail polish remover.

[@Gromitdog1]

Would not use harsh solvent that may rapidly degrade the plastic.

[@maq989]

That polish worked like a charm on my Honda CRV. Thank you!!!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Great to hear it worked for you! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@gregkisinger4183]

I thought the graininess of the backup camera was just standard for my Cadillac SRX. I wonder if I could make it look better as well.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Can't go wrong with cleaning it to see if it helps.

[@ddbear8786]

My Alpine multi view backup camera became blurry like this. At first I thought it might be direct sunlight wearing out the imaging sensor, but now I’ll have to try this polishing trick.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Hope the polishing trick works for you. Let me know how it works for you. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ddbear8786]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 I just tried it, works great! I used the 3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System ($14) and now the backup camera is clear like new. It saved me $300 so now I don't have to replace the Alpine backup camera and all the hassle associated with making an installation appointment etc. Thanks for the tip!

[@johnsharpe734]

Every video on youtube just suggests clean the lenses. My problem is condensation inside them. So, do i wait for warmer weather or can I clean it in some way John

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

You can try removing, disassembling it, drying it and try resealing. But, I'm not sure how well they come apart.

[@jist6953]

Mine too. It happened overnight in a heavy rain storm.

[@peterrudy9207]

I'm wondering how to replace my camera on a 2020 Toyota Camry LE . Is it possible to just disconnect it and connect a new one ? At the bottom it is picking up the edges of my license plate .

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Have you tried loosening the screws and adjusting it? Some vehicles need to be calibrated after a new camera is installed.

[@peterrudy9207]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 I'll try to adjust it , strange it did not show the edge of my bumper before . If by chance that I change it , I expect it is connected to a wire harness under the trunk lid . And just a matter of disconnecting and reconnecting a new camera ?

[@Da9thwardwonder]

Dealership would’ve charged me hundreds.. this method definitely works

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks for the comment. It's definitely something cheap and easy you can try yourself.

[@douglasferris4596]

That polarization wears out after awhile. Especially when it’s dirty and you wipe it off without rinsing it off first. I carry a spray bottle of washer fluid now. Rinse off the headlights rear view camera.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Great idea. Summer or winter? Rubbing a dry dirty lense only makes it worse. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@douglasferris4596]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 well mostly in winter it gets salty. I live in the rust belt. North western Ontario Canada. Salt is pretty abrasive. 🥴

[@glenncalkins6154]

I got laquer thinner on my backup camera and now its blurry, would this fix that issue? i know its different than just cloudy from sunlight

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

It's worth a try. The lacquer probably etched the plastic. The polish has a fine abrasive that will hopefully clean it up. Let me know how it works out for you.

[@Native722]

Can you take out the lens to.clean?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Yes. Some are easier than others.

[@wigglesbee]

whats the head you used on the drill? I have a faded and scuffed rearview camera i gotta fix

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

It was from a mother's headlight restoration kit I had laying around. Thanks for watching.

[@LowFlyer1200]

Good stuff. There’s one small blurry spot in my camera, def not worth buying a new one. I’ll try this.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Thanks for comment. It's definitely something worth trying before buying a new one.

[@Native722]

Mines is blurry but not sure if it's the lens or the camera in itself. No way it gets that damaged that you have to use those tools?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I would start by cleaning, just be careful what you use. Some chemicals will etch the plastic.

[@SebastienGrenier-hb7tx]

Thanks for your DIY video. Worked on my Rav4.

[@spoonfedtruth7666]

Thanks for the video I'm gonna give this a try!

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I am glad you enjoyed the video. Did it work?

[@Mark300win]

Where can i get this dremle tip?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I believe I got it in an old mother's headlight restoration kit. They look different now. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@irfandharma]

All Range Rover has this backups camera issue. My Honda civic 2013 had night vision backup camera and so clean and clear in any weather condition but expensive Range Rover has very basic camera

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

You would think the Range Rover would have the better camera. Just shows more expensive cars aren't always better. Night vision is a great idea.

[@smsingh4733]

Thanks. It works for me.

[@TerryRowe-c3n]

I will give this a try.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Hope it works out for you. Let me know.

[@keenandungee4527]

We’re did u get the red polish thing

[@joleneguerrero4794]

It's been raining alot lately here in Guam and I just noticed my reverse is blurry. I checked the camera and I can see condensation inside. The water droplet are visible. I was thinking of using a hair dryer but I'm scared 😱 Should I use a headlight restore liquid or something?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

If you have condensation on the inside, I would look for a leak, or park it inside for a couple days if possible. It might just need to dry out if you have had alot of rain. A heat gun will probably be too hot.

[@williamstricko2594]

Worked great! Thanx….

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Your welcome glad it helped. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@rufio5035]

I just bought my truck and notice my back up cam was blurry when I got home, I’m guessing when they cleaned it up and gassed it they must have power washed the bed and some water go into the where the camera is located. Im sorta annoyed because I have to wait a couple days to see if it drys out because it’s freezing here on east coast so I’m sure the water in the camera lens is frozen. 😪

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

That's what I dislike about pressure washing vehicles. High pressure water driven into places that shouldn't be exposed to moisture. Hope all works out for you once it dries out. Warranty maybe?

[@roythearcher]

would it not be easier to remove the camera before polishing the lens?

[@johnhealy4511]

Hi my reverse camera lens looks cloudy, when i rub it with my finger or a cloth the lens clears but then after a few seconds the lens becomes cloudy again, any ideas?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Does it only do it when it's cool and wet out, or same on warm dry days? Sounds like it's fogging up on you. Maybe try some anti fog spray from a sporting goods store. Athletes use it so plastic visors don't fog up. Let me know what you find. Thanks for watching

[@alexpelico4649]

polish it like how he did in the last step then clear coat it with some headlight clear coating

[@pedramzarei5001]

Bro, did it work on your car? Mine just have the same issue

[@alexpelico4649]

@@pedramzarei5001 hello i know you were asking him but mine did work, just use headlight polisher with the drill attachment and drill, it works perfectly

[@pedramzarei5001]

"@alexpelico4649, it worked insanely well. I didn't have a drill, so I used a regular cloth and just a bit of headlight polish. It worked really well. I think I need to repeat the steps again to get an even better result. Thank you!"

[@darrell5363]

Mines dirty on the inside but I don’t know how to take it apart

[@williamde7676]

Try using a hair dryer, I hear that might remove the fogginess on the inside lense

[@chauffeurmarco]

Is your camera lens stay out or it goes in

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Camera and everything stayed in. Just polished the outside plastic cover. Made a big difference.

[@F35_JSF]

I think you did a great job of polishing a turd. Its still a turd. The resolution is just really crap for such an expensive vehicle. I mean, I love my yukon xl denali, but gmc really frustrates me sometimes. Well done.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Do the best you can with what you have. Thanks for your input and for watching.

[@wojciechkanclerski]

Or you could try Cerium Oxide as polishing compound

[@yellowgirl8055]

Buy an after market camera if the polish fails. There are plenty the should work. The dealer knows exactly which parts were designed to fail but should they tell us??? Of course not!!! How much $$$ will they lose on unsold inventory??? C'mon.... it's all about the O mighty dollar!! 🤦🤦🤦

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Aftermarket is definitely an option. I would price parts from the dealer as well. I have found that aftermarket isn't always cheaper.

[@Rilesnordet]

Electric tooth brush works great as well..

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Good idea ! Do you use the paint polish or toothpaste?

[@royworthington3781]

Doesn't anyone teach how to fix the GLASS part of the rearview mirror ( not the stupid side mirrors) ?!!!! I guess I'm the only one in the whole world who has a problem with the mirror GLASS fading.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Short of replacing the rearview, perhaps try polishing it. Ask your local Windsheild place, they may give you enough product to try on the rearview. Let me know how it works out for you. Thanks for watching.

[@royworthington3781]

@shanersmechaniclife3164 well I was asking bcuz the glass can be removed and replaced. I just didn't know if anybody that does restorations knew any tricks or supplies, or suppliers.

[@highinthedirt]

condensation in the lens?

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

No the plastic lense was oxidized. Vehicle sat parked for a while.

[@tobiewolfen01]

I thought the same thing.

[@sleekitwan]

This is a good idea, but the night-time issue needs more light. It’s easily solved, and explains why those ‘idiots’ go around with overly-bright rear number plate bulbs fitted! It’s to supplement their reversing light, which here in the UK has a quite tight limit on the wattage - of course, we’ve got the option to use LED technology now, and the limit therefore may not be the issue it once was. I have a Prius with a single reversing bulb - again it is the law not Toyota doing this - and so if I uprate the number plate bulbs, I can become one of those ‘idiots’ and there we go. ! Tip: ONLY buy LED bulbs where the supplier is prepared to provide an ‘Lm’ or Lumens (brightness) figure. Classic small push-fit bulbs, are maybe 200 Lumens to 400 Lumens, written 200Lm. Really bright ones, are up at 800Lm and beyond. I haven’t quite figured what’s what yet on this, but you need to avoid the handful-of-LED sellers online etc, because you will find like me, the BEST bulb they supply will barely match the presently-installed filament bulb. IE they’ve sold you the trash low-power crud nobody wants! So try inputting a search term on google or on the website you are on, with a Lumns value eg search for ‘LED bulb 400Lm’ and the supplier that comes up with a Lumens number, will likely do it for all their bulbs. Basically, you will find the price is exactly proportional to how bright the bulb is in Lumens. So you will get ten bulbs 100Lm bright, or 2 bulbs 1200Lm bright, for say ten dollars US. One last point, unscrupulous sellers, treat the ‘whiteness’ level of bulbs like it’s the power. They know people are looking for how bright LED bulbs are, and they deliberately obfuscate by throwing out figures like ‘6000k’ which sounds high-power but has nothing to do with the light output, it’s only how yellowy or white the light is that the LED emits. I found ONE vendor out of 50, willing to quote the Lumens or light output power but they almost ALL quoted a ‘k’ or WHITENESS of light number. Scheisters the lot of them. Take care all.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Basically you get what you pay for and if it seems too good to be true it usually is. Some really good points. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@davidtaylor2131]

Lemon juice is acidic works best

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Hmmm. Good idea. I think I'll try it next backup camera issue I get. Thanks for watching and your input.

[@jodiwilcox3829]

Can’t see out of mine at all

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Does the display come on? Do your reverse lights work? If not look at fuses or reverse switch. Let me know what you find. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@akoust1c]

It’s not outside the lens it’s underneath the lens…

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

I haven't run into may issues inside the camera provided it hadn't been opened previously. But it is very likely as it gets older and seals deteriorate.

[@jessicamizhquiri6870]

Maybe it's dirty on the inside too???

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

It is possible, especially if you get condensation inside. If that happens then you would have to disassemble or replace it.

[@compingnick]

there's moisture inside it. you can see it.

[@kingofspadesjack572]

Mine is pitch black unless you come real close during night. But During sunny day its fine. How do you fix it? Also looking for Isuzu Alterra 4x 3.0 series 2010 manual.

[@shanersmechaniclife3164]

Did you get your camera figured out? Was it always like that at night? Mine isn't very good at night unless if your in a well lit area. Might be just the way it is?

[@kingofspadesjack572]

@@shanersmechaniclife3164 this is not the default backup cam. So I have to replace it or repair the built-in cam.

[@lgoamity]

Have a 2014 GMC Terrain that recently "went dark" (went from normal to what at first seemed like it'd went from Color to B&W with maybe some Red or Blue highlights on really bright objects). Turned out somehow the Brightness got turned way down. When in Reverse (ON) the Camera's Display brightness can be adjusted. Was almost getting ready to pull the camera (had tried pulling the power to "reset" it. It did confirm that the camera wasn't completely dead... The manual doesn't talk about it and it took an almost accidental stumbling across on KZbin when someone showed the "secret" menu... Available when the camera is active not before or after, but during. While it shouldn't change much a Brightness adjustment might counter the "Haze" some.

[@johnsharpe734]

Wots this noise about??

[@supinac17]

still blurry

[@pauljohnson9326]

I just bought a focus titanium x 17 plate and my camera has condensation left n right but centre is clear . I'm in UK and we have had rain but I think it's something that can't be helped.