What do detailers use to restore headlights?

Headlight restoration is an important part of auto detailing. Over time, headlights can become cloudy, yellowed, and worn down due to UV exposure, weathering, and regular use. This reduces visibility and the effectiveness of the headlights. Professional detailers have a variety of methods and products they can use to restore clarity, luster, and performance to deteriorated headlights.

Causes of Headlight Damage

There are several factors that can contribute to the degradation of headlight lens clarity over time:

• UV exposure from sunlight – UV rays cause the polycarbonate plastic lens material to break down over time resulting in a cloudy, yellowed appearance.
• Oxidation – Oxygen in the air can interact with the lens material leading to oxidation, creating a faded, yellowed appearance.
• Road debris – Dirt, rocks, and road debris kicked up while driving can physically scratch or pit the lens surface over time.
• Temperature extremes – Exposure to hot and cold temperatures can accelerate expansion and contraction of the headlight materials leading to cracking or clouding.
• Chemical staining – Road salt, fuel, and oil can spill or splash onto headlights and cause chemical staining and clouding of the lens.
• Normal wear – The constant vibration and friction from driving can gradually wear down the smoothness and clarity of the headlight lens.

All these factors affect the plastic lens more than the glass housing and lead to reduced light output over time. That’s why professional headlight restoration is recommended to improve safety and driving visibility.

Methods for Headlight Restoration

Professional auto detailers have several techniques they can use to restore cloudy, oxidized, and yellowed headlights back to like-new condition:

Wet Sanding

This abrasive technique uses water and incremental grades of wet/dry automotive sandpaper to level and polish the lens surface. The process involves:

• Washing and drying the headlight area thoroughly.
• Applying masking tape around the working area to protect the surrounding paint.
• Wet sanding the lens using 400-800-1500+ grit sandpaper, always maintaining a shallow angle.
• Wiping away any residue and reapplying water between sanding steps.
• Removing all residue when finished and drying the area.

This removes oxidation, scratches, and top layer yellowing by leveling and smoothing the lens surface to regain clarity. But it must be done carefully to avoid excess material removal.

Compound Buffing

After sanding, an automotive polishing compound is applied using a low-speed buffer or polisher. The process includes:

• Applying a polishing compound to the sanded headlight.
• Buffing using abuffer with a soft polishing pad attachment across the lens surface.
• Removing residue and reapplying polishing compound as needed.
• Finishing with a swirl mark remover on a clean buffing pad.

The buffing action further smooths and polishes the lens to a clear glossy finish. It removes any remaining sanding marks and oxidation.

Clear Coat Sealants

After restoring clarity, detailers apply a clear coat sealant to protect the headlights from future degradation. Options include:

• Polyurethane coating – Provides long-lasting UV protection and gloss.
• Epoxy coating – Forms a protective barrier against oxidation and yellowing.
• Ceramic coating – Provides a super hydrophobic glass-like layer to repel dirt and water.

The clear coat adds a protective layer to block UV rays, prevent oxidation, and repel dirt and liquids. This helps extend the results of headlight restoration significantly.

Headlight Restoration Kits

Detailers may use traditional wet sanding and buffing methods as described above. Or they may use specialized headlight restoration kits which provide all the materials needed. Popular kits contain:

• Waterproof sanding discs – Assorted 400-800-1500+ grits.
• Taping strips – For masking and protection.
• Sanding lubricant – Water or adhesive liquid.
• Buffing pads – Soft wool, microfiber or foam pads.
• Polishing compound – Formulated grit polishes.
• Sealant – Polymer sealant, epoxy, or ceramic solution.
• Applicators – For buffing and applying products.

Using a complete kit can simplify the headlight restoration process. The products are designed to work together effectively through each sanding and polishing step.

DIY Headlight Restoration

It’s also possible for car owners to restore their own cloudy headlights using many of the same techniques and kits that professionals use. Here are some tips for DIY headlight restoration:

• Clean headlights thoroughly first with soap and water. Dry completely.
• Use painter’s tape to mask off surrounding areas from sanding debris.
• Wet sand using 400-800-1500+ grit sandpaper to smooth and level the lens surface.
• Rinse often and change sandpaper frequently to minimize scratches.
• Apply polishing compound with a buffer or by hand with a microfiber cloth.
• Buff until clear and glossy, adding more compound as needed.
• Apply protective clear coat sealant per the product instructions.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and gloves during the process.
• Work methodically and slowly to avoid oversanding or applying too much pressure.

DIY headlight restoration can successfully fix minor yellowing and oxidation in many cases. But severe degradation, deep scratches, and other major issues may require a professional detailer for best results.

Benefits of Headlight Restoration

Here are some of the main benefits that properly restored headlights can provide:

• Improved nighttime visibility – Removing yellowing and oxidation restores optic clarity and light output at night when it’s needed most.
• Better driving safety – Being able to see farther and more clearly at night reduces accident risks.
• Improved vehicle appearance – Crystal clear headlights make the front of the car look new again.
• Restores value – For older vehicles, freshened up headlights can increase resale value.
• Low cost – Headlight restoration only costs around $100-200 professionally which is affordable compared to replacing headlights.
• Long lasting results – With a clear coat sealant, restored headlights can last years without redoing service.

Overall, restoring oxidized, cloudy headlights provides cheaper, longer lasting results versus installing replacement headlights. It renews nighttime visibility and driving safety.

When to Restore vs. Replace Headlights

In some cases where headlight damage is extreme, replacement may be better than restoration. Here are some signs it’s time to replace the headlights altogether:

• Deep cracks, holes, or structural damage in the lens or housing
• Moisture intrusion or fogging inside the headlight housing
• Discoloration or damage that can’t be fully removed by sanding/polishing
• Previous restoration attempts that failed or caused unevenness
• Very old, worn out plastic that is too structurally weak to restore

Replacement is the best option when the headlight damage is beyond the point of recovery. But for minor to moderate yellowing and clouding issues, professional restoration services can often renew headlights at a fraction of replacement cost.

Cost of Professional Headlight Restoration

The cost to professionally restore headlights can range from approximately $100-$200 per pair of headlights. However, exact prices depend on certain factors:

• Level of oxidation and damage – Heavily degraded lenses take more work to restore.
• Vehicle make and model – Some headlights are easier to work on than others.
• Restoration method – Hand sanding takes more time versus power tools.
• Extra services – Polishing, clear coat, etc. add cost if not included.
• Location – Prices are generally higher in metro areas.
• Business overhead – Shop expenses factor into pricing as well.

Despite variables, professional headlight restoration remains very affordable compared to the $300-$600+ cost of replacing headlights. And it can be performed quickly in about 1-2 hours versus waiting days for new headlights to ship.

Finding a Professional Detailer

Use these tips to find a qualified professional headlight restoration service:

• Search online listings for detail shops offering headlight restoration.
• Check ratings/reviews of the business online.
• Look for detailers certified by organizations like the NAPA Autocare Association.
• Ask to see before/after pictures of their work.
• Get an estimate in writing before approving work.
• Inquire about their process and what is included.
• Ask if they apply a protective sealant at the end.

Avoid cheap, quick “drive-through” type operations. Seek experienced detailers who take time doing careful sanding, polishing, and sealing for results that will last.

Conclusion

Headlight restoration is an affordable and effective service professional auto detailers offer. Using methods like wet sanding, compound buffing, and protective sealants, they can eliminate oxidation, yellowing, and clouding to bring dramatic clarity and improvement to deteriorated headlights. Restored headlights not only look better, but allow for much safer driving visibility at night.