How do you identify? Are you a car geek or enthusiast? Or motorhead? If you need to offer proof to your family and friends that, yes, you need to spend time restoring your car headlights, let them know that it’s a practical, even necessary, task to complete.
Headlights with an aged, cloudy, or hazy appearance aren’t just unattractive, they are unsafe! Clouded lenses compromise night vision and even drastically reduces your headlights’ power. Time is the main culprit, but UV rays expedite the aging process. Also, most modern vehicles use a set-up that is more prone to discoloration: plastic lenses and replaceable bulbs. So let’s find out how to clean them!
Purchasing Headlight Restoration Kits
Consider these key factors when shopping for your ideal headlight restoration kit:
- Materials: Do you have everything you need, including a drill? Or do you need an all-in-one kit? Thankfully, you can find both from a variety of brands.
- Ingredients: Headlight restoration kits vary considerably regarding which cleaning agent they advertise. You will find ceramic coating, UV block clear coating, gel-based coating, and more.
- Effort: Some like to get their hands dirty, pull out the power tools, and have some fun. Others want a good product but also a quick fix. While you browse, keep your eyes open for the level of effort needed that you prefer.
Top Pick: 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System Kit
This quality 3M headlight restoration kit gives you everything you need to make you a resourceful car owner. You get 3M Trizact sanding discs, disc holder for household drill, compounding pad, and rubbing compound. Use the kit to clear up plastic headlights, fog lights, taillights, directional lights, and more. It’s a simple four-step process you can complete in under an hour.
Best UV Blocker: SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit
No matter where you live, those darn UV rays are clouding up your headlights right now, unless the car’s parked in a garage, of course. The SYLVANIA headlight restoration kit includes a surface activator, clarifying compound, and a UV block clear coat — all the stuff you need to rid your car’s lenses of corrosion.
Best Ceramic Coating: CERAKOTE Headlight Restoration Kit
CERAKOTE is all about ceramic coating — from automotive, firearms, aerospace, and high-end electronics. What does this have to do with your headlights? Well, the ceramic coating chemically bonds to your headlights, doing its job to ward off UV ray damage for a long time. It takes three simple steps and absolutely no power tools.
Best All-in-One Kit: Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit
You have the brains, and the Mothers NuLens kit has everything else. What’s in the box? You get a drill-mounted PowerBall 4Lights polishing tool, PowerPlastic 4Lights liquid polish, a three-inch backing plate, and restoration discs. You will want to apply a fresh coat of polish with the polishing tool or by hand each month. Use this kit to drive more safely and in a more attractive vehicle.
