Hey, how’s it going, guys? Today, I’m going to show you how to permanently restore yellowing headlights fast and easy. Yellowing headlights are a common issue in cars, and not only do they look bad, but they also have a very poor light output on the road at night. So, let’s dive into the process and learn how to restore your headlights to their former glory.
Headlights are made of polycarbonate plastic, which is durable but prone to UV damage. From the factory, they come with a UV protective coating, but over time, this coating wears off. Exposure to UV rays from the sun breaks down the polycarbonate structure, turning the lens from transparent to yellow. If left untreated, the damage can become severe, leading to cracks known as crazing, which can destroy the lens and necessitate an expensive replacement.
The first step in restoring your headlights is to clean them thoroughly. Use a microfiber towel to remove any dirt and debris from the headlight and the surrounding area. This ensures that no contaminants interfere with the restoration process. Once clean, dry the headlight completely.
Restoring your headlights involves removing the damaged layer of plastic. For this, you’ll need abrasives. You can use various products, including cutting compounds, car polish, metal polish, and sandpapers. Sandpapers are graded by grit size, with higher numbers indicating finer abrasives.
For severely yellowed headlights, I recommend using:
Wrap the sandpaper around a foam backing pad to apply uniform pressure.
After sanding, it’s time to polish the headlight. You can do this by hand using a microfiber towel or with a drill and a wool pad for quicker results. Apply the polishing compound and buff the headlight in overlapping passes until it shines. For an extra touch, use a foam pad and plastic polish to bring back the factory-like shine.
To ensure your headlights stay clear and protected, you need to apply a protective coating. Here are your options:
This is the type of coating applied at the factory, but it’s expensive and requires professional equipment. It lasts about five years.
These come in spray cans and are easy to apply. They provide good protection but typically last only about a year.
Clear coats are available in spray cans and can last a few years. However, they can affect light refraction, reducing the visibility range of your headlights.
These fit over your headlights and offer good protection against UV light and rock chips. However, they can leave gaps that turn yellow over time.
This is the best option for long-term protection. These films generally last about five years and can be replaced easily without redoing the restoration process.
And there you have it! By following these steps, you can restore your headlights permanently. Here’s a quick before and after: