Headlights are highly underrated as one of the most important safety features your car is equipped with. Nowadays, most new cars come with fancy LED headlights, but if you’ve purchased or own an older model, those lenses might be yellowing with age. And though your car has a few years on it, sometimes replacement headlights are just too expensive. If you’re looking for a cost-effective and time-efficient solution, headlight restoration is where it’s at.
There are a few solutions available to you if you’d like to polish up your headlights to be clear again. A number of do-it-yourself methods can be found with a simple Google search, but many stores will sell headlight restoration kits that include everything you need. If you’d like, you can also visit your local detail shop(s) and see what they would charge for a simple polish.
DIY SolutionsRumor has it that you can use simple toothpaste to clean up your headlights. The fact of the matter is that toothpaste is generally abrasive, but on a microscopic level. This helps to scour away the tiny, hardened particles of plastic that give your headlights their yellowish tinge. There are many tutorials you can follow to polish your own headlights, but make sure you remember a UV sealant. This will help protect the plastic from further sun damage.All-In-One Headlight Restoration KitsNearly all automotive parts stores will carry some kind of detailing equipment, which can include headlight restoration kits. Here are 3 options available right now from popular retailers most likely in your area. The Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit costs just under $20 and includes everything you need to polish your headlights clear as the day they were manufactured. With enough materials to restore both headlights, simply set aside a few hours and your headlights will be looking brand new. Meguiar’s also sells their version of a headlight restoration kit. This one includes just about the same products as the Mothers’ kit, but costs about $10 more. Target also sells Turtle Wax’s headlight lens restorer kit, at a low price of $8.Leave it to the ProfessionalsIf the do-it-yourself solutions and restoration kits for sale aren’t quite your thing, you can also bring your car by the nearest automotive detailing shop and/or dealership. Most places should be able to give you a free quote. You might even ask the service person the next time you’re in for an oil change. In theory, the restoration process is the same as if you were to buy a restoration kit. First, the aged plastic is rejuvenated with a wet sand. Then, those tiny scratches made by the sand paper are polished out for a smooth, clear surface. Finally, sealant is applied to the headlights to ensure they’re protected against further UV damage. Headlight polishes usually don’t take that long to perform, but the results will keep you safe for years to come. Now that you know a little more about how to restore your headlights, are you up for the challenge? Or will you be paying the nearby detail shop a visit? Either way, best of luck! |
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