There are many myths and false statements about foggy or foggy headlights. Your headlights make your surroundings visible when you are driving. Foggy headlights make visibility very difficult, making it difficult to drive safely. New headlights can be very expensive, but restoration is affordable.
Cloudy or yellow headlights are becoming a major problem with older cars. They can severely reduce nighttime visibility thus becoming a safety issue. Most modern headlights are made of polycarbonate. This plastic material is very porous and sensitive to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and acid rain.
To protect the plastic, manufacturers coat the headlight with a primer and sealant. It is this layer that deteriorates and causes cloudiness and yellowing. Replacement headlights are expensive and time consuming. Take the vehicle to the workshop, again! Why not do it yourself?
95% of all damage to fogged headlights is on the outside and is limited to the factory protective coating. Headlights with interior damage such as moisture or with severe cracks must not be restored, they must be replaced.
The theory behind restoring headlights is simple.
Remove the damaged lining and replace it with a new one. The problem is that most DIY restoration kits remove the old coating but don’t replace it. Many kit manufacturers will admit that the results are temporary or that you must periodically re-coat your lights with wax or some other coating.
About 10% of kits sold include a replacement liner.
If you’re going to restore your headlights, make sure your kit includes a new protective coating or be prepared to wax your headlights weekly.
Some kits include abrasive shafts or balls to help you remove the old coating. I do not recommend using power tools to remove the old coating. Doing so risks burning the polycarbonate and you also need masking around the light to protect the paint. For a single light kit, hand sand. It’s cheaper, more secure, and gives you more control.
Kit prices range from $5.95 (one ounce of rubbing compound) to over $60 with shipping. You don’t always get what you pay for. Many kits are big on hype but short on details. If you really want to save money, just scrub your headlights with toothpaste and wax weekly. If severely damaged, start with 600 grit sandpaper followed by 1200 grit sandpaper, etc. then polish with toothpaste. This will give you the same results as many of the cheap kits on the market.
Now there are some major players in the headlight restoration market; Permatex, Mopar, Wynn’s, Mopar, 3M and others. Many kits include a warranty. If you’re not completely satisfied, we’ll refund your money.
Know what you are getting. Here are the questions to ask:
- Does the kit include a replacement protective layer? If so, is it permanent? Is it guaranteed not to deteriorate?
- What is included in the kit?
- Are MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) included or available from the manufacturer?
- Do you know what chemicals are in the kit?
- Can you see the instructions or see a demo video clip before buying?
Long story short, most headlights can be restored and you can do it yourself.
If this is what you want, do some research and choose wisely. Don’t spend a few hours carefully sanding and polishing your lights without replacing the protective coating you removed.
Alternatively, headlight restoration is becoming big business and many areas have dealers and contractors available to restore headlights. Although more expensive than doing it yourself, these folks are able to restore most headlights to near-new condition at a fraction of the cost of headlight replacement.