Do Headlight Restoration Kits Work?

Your headlights are crucial to your safety while on the road, especially if you’re traveling at night. But as your vehicle ages, your headlight lens can degrade, affecting your light’s brightness.

One solution to this problem is to buy a headlight restoration kit. But do these kits really work?

Let’s find out.

How Does a Headlight Restoration Kit Work?

Most headlight restoration kits work by smoothing or polishing the surface of your headlight lens using a pad or abrasive compound.

Headlight restoration kits include sandpaper, polishing pads, lens clarifying compounds, sealing wipes, and spray lubricant.

How Effective Are Headlight Restoration Kits?

So, do these kits really work? It depends.

Several factors like the extent of the lens damage and the type of products you purchase may affect how well these tools can restore your headlights. If you’re talking about mild oxidation or yellowing, a restoration kit will work. However, if the damage is too extensive, it might not do the job for you.

A headlight restoration kit also won’t help if there’s an underlying electrical issue or a problem with the headlight bulb. You’ll have to consult a trusted mechanic to solve it.

How to Restore Your Headlights at Home

The steps can vary depending on the products included in the headlight restoration kit you purchased. To give you an idea, here’s how it’s usually done:

Wash Your Headlights

Before washing your headlights, make sure that there are no cracks on the headlight housing that could potentially let water in.

Use water and a mild soap or a headlight cleaning agent to gently wash your headlights. Avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals, as these could damage the headlight lenses even more.

Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the headlights with a soft, clean cloth to prevent water spots.

Cover the Surrounding Paint With Tape

To prevent damage, you may want to protect the area surrounding your headlight by covering it with painter’s tape.

Polish Your Headlight Using Sandpaper

After you’ve covered the surrounding areas with tape, follow the sanding instructions on the kit. Some kits require wet sanding, which involves spraying the headlight with water as you use the sandpaper.

Clean All Sandpaper Residue

Once you’re done sanding, get rid of the sandpaper residue. You can use water to help rinse it off, but make sure to dry the headlight using a soft cloth afterward.

Apply Polishing Compound

Once you’re done, use a flannel polishing cloth to apply the polishing compound. This will help remove fog on the lens of your headlight, making the lens clearer once again.

Use a UV Sealant to Prevent Oxidation

Some restoration kits include a UV sealant that you can use to help prevent oxidation. This sealant can help keep your headlight lens clear and shiny. Experts recommend applying at least three coats of UV sealant for best results.

Before applying the sealant, make sure the entire headlamp is properly sanded. You can’t change anything anymore once the sealant is applied.

Remember that these steps are only meant to guide you during the process. It’s best to ask a professional for advice in case you have any questions about the instructions that come with the kit.

Can I Use Toothpaste or Baking Soda to Clean Foggy Headlights?

Some DIYers make use of toothpaste or baking soda to clean their headlights. If you’re just trying to remove minor cloudiness or haziness in your lens, these two cleaning agents might work. Toothpaste and baking soda are both abrasive enough to take off the fog without scratching or damaging the headlights.

Another more affordable alternative to a headlight restoration kit is a liquid that can clear haziness. You can apply the solution on a rug, and then use it to rub the cloudiness away.

How Much Does a Headlight Restoration Kit Cost?

You can get a headlight restoration kit for around $15 to $30. Prices can vary depending on the brand and the inclusions in the kit. If you’d like a professional to do the restoration for you, you’ll have to consider the labor rates that apply in your area.

How Much Does a Headlight Lens Replacement Cost?

If the extent of the discoloration is too extensive, you can go ahead and replace your headlight lens. You can get a replacement lens for around $50 to $100. Some products may cost more depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

In some modern vehicles, the headlight lens is permanently sealed to the housing. This makes it impossible to replace the lens separately. In such cases, you’ll need to replace the whole headlight assembly.

What Causes Hazy Headlights?

There can be several reasons why your headlights become foggy as your vehicle ages. Here are the most common reasons why this can happen:

Oxidation

Headlights usually come with a clear top coat that helps prevent oxidation. But over time, this protective coating wears off, leaving your headlights vulnerable to damage caused by UV rays.

Dirt and Road Debris

As your ride gains mileage, dirt and debris from the road can accumulate on your headlights, causing them to appear dimmer than usual. It’s important to clean your headlights regularly to keep them in tip-top shape.

Cracks

Cracks on the surface of your headlight can cause water vapor to get in. Once water vapor gets in, condensation can form inside the lens. This can affect your visibility, especially when traveling at night.

Get a Headlight Restoration Kit for Your Vehicle

The dangers of driving with hazy headlights can’t be understated. With cloudy headlights, you’ll have less visibility while driving. It’ll be harder for you to see the road and other vehicles ahead of you, especially during low-light conditions. This makes you a danger not just to yourself but to others on the road as well. As a responsible driver, you should restore your headlights as soon as possible. Luckily, getting a headlight restoration kit is fast and easy with CarParts.com.

CarParts.com offers a wide selection of headlight restoration kits, and the best part is you can get one without even leaving the comfort of your home. Thanks to our convenient and secure checkout, you can place an order with just a few clicks using your computer or phone. Our strategically located warehouses around the US make it possible for us to process and ship your order as soon as possible. If you order by 12 PM ET, you can expect your new kit to arrive in as fast as two business days.

Don’t wait until your headlights completely degrade before restoring them. Check out our selection of high-quality headlight restoration kits at CarParts.com and order one today!