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Nov 03, 2024

The Best Headlight Restoration Kits of 2024 | GearJunkie Tested

Over time, a car’s headlights go from crystal clear to cloudy due to age and prolonged exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays. This is where headlight restoration kits come in handy, to help prevent

Over time, a car’s headlights go from crystal clear to cloudy due to age and prolonged exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays. This is where headlight restoration kits come in handy, to help prevent degradation that decreases the headlight output and affects a driver’s visibility at night.

These kits generally cost from $10 to $25. Essentially, the included tools help you remove the lens coating that’s damaged and apply a protective layer. Some headlight restoration kits require a bit of elbow grease. Others include attachments for an electric drill to make the job less arduous. Kits like the SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit don’t require a hand drill and provide optimal clarity. Other options like the Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit from 3M include more sanding accessories but require a hand drill. It really depends on your headlight conditions and age and how much time you can put into cleaning the headlights.

Below are our recommendations for the best headlight restoration kits, so you can bring clarity to your dull and hazy headlight lenses. To learn more about headlight restoration kits and a more in-depth analysis, read the Buyer’s Guide or jump to the Price & Value summary. Still weighing your options? Consult our Comparison Chart. Otherwise, take a look at our selected goods.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Headlight Restoration buyer’s guide on October XX, 2024, to include new, awarded products — the Meguiar’s Ultimate Headlight Restoration Kit and Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer — and Included Materials, Drill & Disc Pads, Dry vs. Wet Sanding, and Price & Value sections.

If you prefer doing things the old-fashioned way, which requires some sweat equity, the SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit ($25) comes with everything you need. This kit is ideal for folks who prefer to do projects by hand and see their headlights return to their former glory. It’s also the best kit to get the job done.

Inside the box you’ll find sandpaper, plastic gloves, and two types of paper towels. There’s a surface activator that quickly removes the top layer of oxidation. You’ll also see a polishing compound, masking tape, and a protective clear coating compound. Following the instructions will restore your headlights to a clear finish with lasting UV protection.

The restoration process begins by spraying the surface activator onto the headlight to soften the plastic. This step is followed by progressively sanding and polishing out the haziness and scratches on the headlight lens.

The last step is the application of the UV blocker coating, which will achieve clarity and make the lenses look almost new. Since this coating offers long-lasting UV protection, SYLVANIA guarantees a polished appearance for the vehicle’s lifetime.

After enduring 15 Idaho summers and winters, our tester’s 2008 Honda Ridgeline headlights were heavily oxidized and cloudy. Following 90 minutes of manual labor, which included sanding and polishing, we applied the UV blocker.

The clear coat brilliantly restored the clarity of the headlight to like-new condition in addition to protecting the lens from future oxidation. This SYLVANIA kit only provides enough materials for one set of headlights, but the warranty lasts as long as the vehicle’s life.

This Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit from 3M ($19) includes almost everything you need to remove years of haze. The only things you need from your garage are a cordless drill (or DA orbital) plus an hour of your time.

We removed years of oxidation from a 2012 Mazda3 typically garaged at home. The owner had the headlight lenses cleaned up by the local dealership about 5 years prior, but the unforgiving sun brought back the cloudiness.

Since this is a kit put together by 3M, they include a couple of indispensable materials: a small roll of their green automotive performance masking tape and a Trizact sanding disc. The remaining contents of the kit include several types of sanding discs (P200, P500, and P800), a disc pad holder drill attachment, a nitrile glove, and 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat wipes.

What makes the Trizact disc special is its 3D-patterned, precise mineral structure, which delivers a fast cut and consistent finish. Equivalent to a 3000-grit sanding disc, it’s used in the final step of polishing to remove abrasive marks and super-fine scratches.

The green automotive performance masking tape will stick even if it gets wet during the sanding process and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue. It also helps prevent accidental damage, so we always mask the area surrounding the headlights as standard practice. Yes, it takes extra time, but it’s the first line of defense if the spinning disc pad holder happens to touch the paint.

During our process, the Mazda3’s lenses were sanded and polished until smooth but left with a cloudy haze. Two coats of the 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat were needed to restore clarity and achieve the best results. Bubbling of the liquid will occur if you apply too much with each swipe. Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Don’t get disappointed if the first coat doesn’t look brilliant, as the second pass will clean things up and restore the clarity to almost new.

The Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit gave us professional-grade results and is easy enough for first-timers to use. Restoring a set of heavily oxidized lenses requires a little less effort than the Sylvania kit, which was the most labor-intensive of the kits tested. Thankfully, we won’t have to repeat the process down the road if the warranty is an indication of how long the coating will last.

Taking full advantage of nanoceramic technology is the Cerakote Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit ($18), which makes the formulation durable and lasts much longer than other protective coatings. No power tools are required, but a cordless drill makes the restoration process much easier. The instructions outline three general steps for restoring your headlight’s clarity to like-new condition. And Cerakote is willing to back up the ceramic coating’s effectiveness as long as the purchaser owns the vehicle.

What sets Cerakote apart from other headlight restoration kits is a professional-grade ceramic coating that bonds to the polycarbonate headlight lenses and lasts for years. Nanoceramic formulations are used in ceramic coatings for automotive paint protection and ceramic window tints. These compounds are powerful and long-lasting because of their hardness properties, chemical inertness, and ability to block harmful UV rays. In the biomedical field, ceramic nanoparticles are considered excellent carriers for drugs, genes, proteins, and imaging agents.

Don’t be fooled by the three steps outlined on the box. A badly oxidized headlight lens requires progressively removing the layers of oxidation and smoothing the surface using P500 and P800 grit sanding discs. The ceramic coating wipes will eliminate the cloudiness. Those wipes also layer on a protective UV-blocking ceramic coating.

We restored the headlight lenses on a 2008 Honda Pilot parked outside full-time, unprotected from harsh Idaho winters and blazing summer heat. The oxidation wipes effectively removed the yellow layer that built up over the years of sun exposure.

Dry sanding using the P500 and P800 grit discs removed the imperfections and smoothed the surface, making it ready for the clear coat. Results were remarkable, and a 6-month checkup barely showed any signs of yellowing.

This Cerakote kit includes four pairs of plastic gloves to protect your skin from touching the chemicals. The bundle also has eight Oxidation Remover wipes, one ergonomic surface prep pad, and four surface prep discs. There are two pre-moistened Ceramic Headlight Restoration Wipes designed to restore and protect the clarity of your headlights. Observant shoppers will notice that Griot’s Garage sells a similar product that produces the same results as Cerakote. The headlight restoration kit sold by Griot’s is a rebranded Cerakote kit with a slightly better warranty that covers the vehicle’s lifetime.

Meguiar’s, known for its high-quality automotive detailing products, stepped up its game and announced the Meguiar’s Ultimate Headlight Restoration Kit ($30) last fall at the 2023 SEMA show. They provided us with a few kits so that we could test their new product away from the marketing hype.

A few things set the Ultimate Headlight Restoration kit apart from its older product, the Two-Step Headlight Restoration kit. This one is an entirely new headlight coating that uses a different delivery system altogether. Now, the protective layer and sealant are applied using a wipe saturated in the new formula. This method doesn’t requier a mask for aerosol overspray or the hassle of removing any overspray if it occurs.

The second major step forward is incorporating a ceramic coating into the new formula. Theoretically, this provides enhanced defense against the harsh conditions encountered on the road throughout the seasons and longer times between touch-ups. Meguiar’s claims their new proprietary ceramic sealant will last 18 months or better. However, some manufacturer warranty supporting their assertions could be included.

The Ultimate Headlight Restoration Kit includes two packets of Ultimate Sealant wipes, 1,000 grit and 3,000 grit 3-inch sanding discs, an easy-grip pommel, and a pair of vinyl gloves. The pommel fits in the hand nicely and is made from a cushy material that is easy to grip. Other headlight restoration kits sometimes include yellow pommels made of hard plastic. The one included in the Meguiar’s kit is a “keeper” in our humble opinion. While a power drill isn’t required, the 3-inch diameter sanding discs will fit a disc pad holder drill attachment if you have one tucked away in a drawer someplace.

We scheduled a 2013 BMW X1 and 2003 Lexus GX470 to work on side by side for one of our tryouts. The headlight lenses on our test subjects weren’t too heavily oxidized or pitted by road debris. Removing the layers of haze manually wasn’t a huge chore. The lenses were cleaned using a mild soap solution and dried thoroughly after sanding to a smooth finish.

Since the wipes are heavily saturated with the sealant coating, one packet was enough to apply two layers to all the headlight lenses across the BMW and Lexus. Between coatings, we shoved the wipes back into the original packet while the first application was allowed to dry and cure for a few minutes.

The results were fantastic, judging by the clarity we achieved after sanding and applying Meguiar’s Ultimate Sealant. Now the front end looks fresh instead of worn and tired. To thoroughly test the long-term protection capabilities of the Ultimate Headlight Restoration Kit involves seeing how it holds up after a year or so of exposure. Something we can’t comment on at the moment.

The Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer ($20) polish uses a straightforward approach to removing years of oxidation from headlight lenses. Basically, they formulated a polishing compound that performs brilliantly at restoring lens clarity without calling for a lot of time and effort. The chemists at CG also included a UV blocker to slow down the aging process caused by exposure to the sun, runs through automated car washes, and abuse from outside elements.

Our time with the Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer compound revealed it is not a super aggressive polish and works best at removing light oxidation and minor imperfections. If lenses are cloudy and yellowed from neglect, sanding the lenses with 500-grit and 800-grit sandpaper is recommended before polishing. Power tools aren’t necessary to get good results, but your arms will thank you later.

The formula incorporates a fully synthetic wax sealant that bonds to polished polycarbonate lenses. This creates a clear coat for protection against harsh UV rays that yellow and haze plastic over time. Chemical Guys predict the protectant will last about three to four months. We’ll report later on how long the sealant will last before a quick touch-up is necessary.

Another feature we liked was how Headlight Restorer micro abrasives work great at removing fine scratches from other plastic surfaces. Nowadays, modern car designs incorporate a lot of piano black surfaces throughout the cabin. It looks nice, but keeping it free of fingerprints and scratches will punish anyone with OCD. A quick polish using a dab of Headlight Restorer and a microfiber applicator pad restored those shiny piano black pieces to a like-new finish.

Meguiar’s Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit ($22) comes from one of the top brands in automotive care and maintenance. The products are specifically formulated to return your cloudy, scratched, oxidized, and yellowed headlights to like-new clarity.

Here, the magic lies in Meguiar’s Headlight Coating. After the polishing step, the coating will transform the cloudy lens into a clear one by filling in the micro-scratches. Since applying the clear coat involves spraying, it’s best to prep the headlight lens by cleaning it and then masking the area around the headlight.

Step one is to smear a glob of Meguiar’s Cleaning Solution, about the size of a quarter, on the abrasive pad. Dab the cleaner on the lens a few times before starting the drill. Move the abrasive pad back and forth across the lens to remove the layers of oxidation. Repeat the process and add more cleaner until the lens has an even foggy appearance.

Step two calls for spraying on the headlight coating — preferably not on a windy day. Wipe the lens clean before applying the headlight coating. Do two overlapping horizontal passes. Wait about 5 minutes for the first coating to dry, and repeat.

As the headlight coating dries, it fills the micro-scratches, leaving a clear and brilliant lens. A vital piece of advice is to avoid layering on too thick of a coat, otherwise runoff and drips will occur. If you see drippings, you will have to go back to the cleaning step to remove them.

Clear as day, the results are amazing. We were especially satisfied when watching the lens transform from cloudy to almost new clarity within a minute of spraying on the first layer of headlight coating. Nonetheless, the coating provided by Meguiar’s Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit will wear off. The lenses will require a repeat cleanup after a year or so, depending on environmental conditions.

Mothers is a brand synonymous with automotive detailing. Thus, the Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit ($33) fits perfectly in its wheelhouse of polishes and cleaners. While it costs a few dollars more than most kits, it is a complete headlight restoration solution.

The Mothers NuLens kit contains sanding discs to remove heavy oxidation and a padded drill attachment to quickly swap the abrasive discs. Inside the box, you’ll also pull out a bottle of PowerPlastic 4Lights and the PowerBall 4Lights foam ball polishing tool. We provided the cordless drill and masking tape.

For our first time using the Mothers kit, we picked a 2006 Subaru Outback with headlight lenses that were heavily oxidized. After washing the headlights, we wet-sanded the lenses with the provided sanding discs (P800, P1500, and 3000) before hitting them with the PowerPlastic 4Lights polishing compound.

After an hour of sanding and polishing, clarity was restored to the lenses, and they looked pretty close to new. The PowerPlastic 4Lights formula contains a UV-blocking polymer that will slow down the rate of oxidation. Just the same, Mothers recommends frequent cleaning using the polishing compound to maintain lens clarity. The 8 ounces of PowerPlastic 4Lights polishing compound are enough to restore lens clarity, with plenty left over for repeated clean-ups when the lenses begin to oxidize again.

Unmistakably, the NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit can produce great results. It just happens to be the priciest of the lot and requires repeated polishing to stave off future hazing. However, touchups are quick and easy if you remember to polish the headlight lens a few times a year.

We’re happy to report that the Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit ($20) readily removes oxidation and discoloration that’s built up on polycarbonate headlights. That’s important because a headlight’s haziness can progressively reduce the light’s effectiveness and potentially become a safety hazard.

The Rain-X kit contains all the products required for each step of your restoration from sanding the surface to polishing and sealing it. Inside the box is a packet of Rain-X Buffing Polish, a Rain-X Headlight Sealant Protectant wipe, a foam polishing pad, and a drill attachment to hold the sanding discs and foam pad.

There’s also a collection of sanding discs to progressively remove oxidation and imperfections and smooth the surface. The user supplies a power drill or DA orbital and masking tape.

Overall, Rain-X will achieve excellent results if you follow the instructions carefully. It’s essential to use the polishing pads in successive order, as each one is specifically designed for use at a particular stage. When the instructions specify which sanding disc to use in a specific order, do not mix up the order in which they’re used. Allow the sealant to dry fully before it gets rained on or goes through a car wash, which is critical to success. Otherwise, the sealant won’t cure correctly and protect your hard work.

Our findings showed that the Rain-X Buffing Polish is effective, but we got better results with the Mothers PowerPlastic 4Lights polishing compound. One bothersome thing was Rain-X’s choice to package the buffing polish in a single-use packet. The packaging means dispensing the desired amount on the foam pad is challenging, and it’s not resealable for future use. Since the Rain-X products don’t include a UV-blocking agent, expect to touch up the lenses in six to twelve months.

Bear in mind that not all headlights are created equal. Some are difficult to restore, while others take less than an hour to work on. The lenses on this 2004 GMC Sierra daily driver were badly oxidized on the outside and inside.

We spent 2 hours masking, sanding, and polishing the front lenses. But the clarity on the driver’s side was unrecoverable, because a lot of the hazing was inside the housing and inaccessible. Regardless, the Rain-X kit is still a great choice for auto maintenance.

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Hand Drill Required, UV Block, Manufacturer’s Warranty.

Our esteemed GearJunkie tester and Buyer’s Guide author, Derek Mau, led the curation and field testing for this guide. A regular work day for Mau involves testing almost anything with four tires and a steering wheel. He obsessively researches and shops for the best deal. Of course, he shares his findings through detailed and informative writing and reviews of all things automotive for GearJunkie.

In this buyer’s guide, we chose headlight restoration kits that require varying degrees of effort. We tested each kit on older cars, trucks, and SUVs with heavily oxidized headlight lenses. We’ve used a couple of kits in the past and have general knowledge of how long the coating will last. Others, where noted, were our first experience using them.

Our choices were based on the final results, as well as the number of steps and effort required to achieve the best clarity. We also considered the price and the frequency of touchups that are needed after the initial restoration.

Every automobile owner should care about having clear headlights. As headlights age, the yellow and fogginess will affect how much light is projected onto the road. This degradation happens when the polycarbonate coating on a headlight lens deteriorates, which happens over the part’s lifespan but is particularly noticeable in regions where cars get a lot of sun. With yellow, scratched, dull, or old headlights, a driver’s nighttime visibility is diminished. Driving can become unsafe for yourself and others on the road.

The good news? Solutions are available to correct the problem yourself. You can either replace your headlight housings — which is costly — or restore them using a headlight restoration kit. With a headlight restoration kit, you can make your headlights shine like new again.

With a little bit of effort, one of our suggested kits will get your headlights back in like-new condition lickity-split. Invest in one of these headlight restoration kits, and you can’t go wrong. When choosing the right headlight restoration kit, consider a few key factors that we’ve outlined below.

Look for kits that have proven effective in restoring clarity to headlights. Check professional and customer reviews and ratings to gauge the kit’s performance. You want to select a kit that can handle the level of oxidation and haziness you’re trying to resolve.

Opt for a headlight restoration kit that is easy to use and comes with clear instructions.

Kits with simple steps and minimal tools tend to be more user-friendly. If manually sanding and polishing isn’t your cup of tea, look for kits that are set up for use with a hand drill.

Ensure the headlight restoration kit includes all necessary materials, such as sandpaper, polishing compound, and sealant.

Some kits may also include drill attachments, masking tape, and protective gloves for convenience. The 3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit is one example that includes everything you need except for a powered drill. You’ll also need a block of time.

Here are the materials that you’ll see listed in restoration kits:

One of the hurdles of restoring a set of hazy headlights is the effort to remove layers of oxidation that have built up over time. The thought of doing all that sanding by hand is enough to dissuade many weekend DIYers. One way to speed up the process without compromising the final results is to use a powered drill to dry or wet sand the lenses.

Some kits, like the 3M Ultra Headlight Restoration Kit and Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit, include a drill attachment with a 3-inch backing plate. The Cerakote Ceramic and Meguiar’s Ultimate headlight restoration kits include 3-inch sanding discs but state no power tools are required. Nevertheless, you can buy a drill attachment for pretty cheap and greatly reduce the amount of manual labor.

Note: On rare occasions, you may come across headlight lenses with three protruding nipples. The purpose of the nipples is to help aim the headlight in the correct direction and height. Unfortunately, it also requires some finesse and manual sanding around them because the round shape of the sanding disc can’t get close enough when using a power tool.

There are some questions about whether wet sanding is better than dry sanding when removing haze and oxidation from the lenses. And different professionals have their opinions about which they prefer. That said, wet or dry sanding are two techniques that will effectively work, but each has advantages.

The choice between wet and dry sanding depends on personal preference. Wet sanding works well to produce a high-quality, smooth finish, but it’s messy, and more cleanup is involved. Effectively, dry sanding will make quick work of initial material removal. Just don’t get too aggressive with the process.

Consider how long the results are expected to last. Some kits, include a sealant that provides long-lasting protection against future oxidation. In particular, the Meguiar’s Ultimate Headlight Restoration, Sylvania, and Cerakote Ceramic kits.

Other products may require more frequent maintenance. Sometimes, the warranty gives an indication as to the product’s longevity if the instructions don’t mention how often touch-ups should occur. For example, Meguiar’s Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit has a warranty limited to product defects. It yields excellent results but requires periodic touch-ups to maintain lens clarity.

Choose a kit from a reputable brand known for producing quality automotive care products. Brands with a history of customer satisfaction and positive reviews are generally more reliable. Mothers, Meguiar’s, and 3M all produce outstanding products that are well-regarded by professional detailers.

Considering these factors, you can select a headlight restoration kit that meets your needs and restores your headlights to like-new condition.

It’s no coincidence that our top choices happen to include a UV blocker mixed in the polishing compound or sealant. For example, the 3M Headlight Clear Coat, Cerakote Ceramic, Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer, Mothers PowerPlastic 4Lights, and SYLVANIA UV Block Clear Coat all contain UV protection of some type.

Undeniably, UV blocking agents in automotive care products offer several advantages:

UV rays from the sun can cause fading, discoloration, and deterioration of automotive surfaces such as paint, plastics, and rubber. UV blocking agents help protect these surfaces from UV-induced damage, prolonging their lifespan and maintaining their appearance.

UV rays can also damage the interior of a vehicle, causing fading and cracking of dashboard materials, leather seats, and other surfaces. UV blocking agents in products like interior cleaners and protectants help prevent this damage, keeping the interior looking newer for longer.

UV blocking agents can help maintain a vehicle’s resale value by protecting its exterior and interior from UV damage.

When it comes time to sell or trade in the car, a well-maintained vehicle with minimal sun damage typically commands a higher resale value. Prospective buyers or dealers are often willing to pay more for a car that has a documented history of regular maintenance and minimal cosmetic faults, as it implies that the vehicle has been cared for and is less likely to have hidden issues.

Regular washing, waxing, and detailing keep the car’s exterior looking clean and well-maintained. UV blocking agents in automotive care products can help preserve the original color and finish, ensuring that your vehicle looks its best between cleanings. Subsequently, they can prevent paint damage, rust, and corrosion, which can detract from the car’s appearance and decrease its value.

UV blocking agents protect against UV damage and can reduce the need for frequent detailing or repairs, saving you time and money in the long run.

Common to the SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration and Cerakote Ceramic Headlight Restoration kits is a UV blocker. Both will maintain lens clarity after restoration without a need for future cleanings. They also offer a warranty that lasts for the life of the car.

Overall, a UV-blocking agent not only ensures a vehicle’s safety and appearance but also helps preserve its value over time. It’s wise to look for headlight restoration and automotive care products that have a UV-blocking agent, for both present enjoyment and future resale or trade-in.

Also, check out our top recommendations for the best car detailing kit to make your ride truly shine.

Aside from taking care of those unsightly headlight lenses, there are several practical reasons for cleaning up the years of oxidation buildup.

Whether you take on the job yourself or hire a professional, consider the following reasons why it’s a good idea to restore the original clarity to those hazy headlights.

Headlights are essential to your safety on the road. If you can’t see the road in front of you, you can’t drive safely. Furthermore, if other drivers can’t see you, then they are in danger as well. Hazy, foggy, or scratched headlights can make driving at night more difficult and dangerous. With clean headlights and an upgraded LED headlight bulb, you can drive confidently at night.

If you need to replace your car’s headlights in the future, you may end up having to shell out some serious dough. A high-quality restoration kit, such as the SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit, sells for $25, which is pocket change by comparison. As with any aspect of your automobile, doing preventative work is far better than paying for costly repairs or replacements.

If you’ve considered selling or trading in your car in the future, you know it must be in optimal shape to get top dollar. Showing up with dirty, yellowing headlights isn’t going to help you seal the deal.

Restoring your headlight lenses can improve the overall appearance, making it look well-maintained. The Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit has a plastic polish that does an excellent job of removing layers of oxidation and restoring lens clarity to seemingly new condition. And it has enough materials to do touchups or more than one set of lenses.

By restoring your headlights to like-new condition instead of replacing them, you reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.

Headlight housings are typically made of polycarbonate materials that can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. After disposal, there’s also the danger of those microplastics getting into our food and water ecosystems. Subsequently, you reduce the demand for new headlights and the associated manufacturing processes, which are resource-intensive and a source of greenhouse emissions.

The disposal of toxic chemicals associated with the manufacture of new headlights also adds to the environmental impact. For all intents and purposes, choosing to restore headlights instead of replacing them contributes to a more sustainable approach to vehicle maintenance and helps reduce one’s ecological footprint.

The biggest variable that influences the price of headlight restoration kits is the type and volume of materials included in the box, as well as the lasting nature and clarity provided by the product. Consider the value each kit offers in terms of effectiveness, ease of use, materials provided, and longevity. For most people, any of these kits would work fine — they’re all under $50.

On the most economical end, kits such as the Cerakote Ceramic Headlight Restoration ($18) require a hand drill, offer UV block, and have a limited manufacturer’s warranty. Here you have oxidation-removing wipes and ceramic coating wipes, as well as four sanding discs.

In the middle rung, one of the best values we found is the Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit ($20). It has all the necessary materials to restore a set of headlight lenses and did an admirable job restoring clarity for such a low cost. The materials include a buffing polish, sealant, four sanding discs (three different types), gloves, a drill attachment, and a headlight polishing pad.

On the higher end, kits like the Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit ($33) include five sanding discs and a plastic polish, as well as a polishing tool and drill attachment. When you pay a bit more, you get a greater quantity of products, so that you can do touch-ups and repeat cleanings.

Commercial headlight restoration kits are intended for car owners who want to restore the lenses’ original clarity.

These headlight renewal kits improve visibility while driving and enhance a vehicle’s tired appearance. They are typically sold in auto parts stores and in the automotive section of big box department stores. You can also buy them online.

Commercial headlight restoration kits are intended for car owners who want to restore the lenses’ original clarity.

A headlight renewal kit will remove years of oxidation, yellowing, and haziness on the lens, which is caused by years of exposure to the elements, road hazards, and the sun’s damaging UV rays.

A complete headlight restoration kit includes a polishing pad, sandpaper, polishing agent or oxidation remover, and a sealant. Some kits also include a drill attachment accessory for the sanding or polishing discs, masking tape, and plastic gloves.

Though you may have heard of people using various other options to clean their hazy headlights (including sandpaper, toothpaste, vinegar, polish, and insect repellent), we recommend buying a dedicated headlight restoration kit.

There are many affordable options. These kits will ensure you get the best results without further damaging your headlights.

As the polycarbonate lens on your headlights ages, it is inevitable that they will start to yellow due to oxidation and exposure to UV rays.

Thankfully, some headlight restoration products include UV blocking agents to help protect these surfaces from UV-induced damage. Those agents prolong the lifespan of headlights and maintain their appearance.

Headlights can also become discolored, faded, and deteriorated from exposure to various chemicals that your car may encounter at home and on the road.

Absolutely! Headlight restoration kits from major brands (including Meguiar’s, Mothers, Sylvania, Cerakote, and 3M) will remove layers of oxidation and restore lens clarity. Light output at night is tremendously improved, along with elevating the look of your vehicle.

Yes, but it isn’t common. Ensure your headlights and turn signals are in good working condition as part of your regular maintenance routine, and you should not have to worry about failing an inspection.

The honest answer is it all depends on your vehicle and its environment.

If you frequently drive on heavily salted roads or your car sits outside in the elements, you’ll probably find yourself doing it more often. Parking outside and daily exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays will increase the rate of oxidation and yellowing of the lenses.

If you aren’t subjecting your vehicle to anything beyond mild conditions, you may get away with using a headlight restoration kit once a year (or less) for maintenance.

Follow the instructions for whatever kit you purchase. Three basic steps for restoring headlight clarity include the following:

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