Headlight Restoration Near Me

If you have cloudy headlights or yellow headlights you may need a restoration service. A restoration service is basically an advanced cleaning that restores the clarity back into the headlights. While aesthetically it improves the look of your vehicle, more importantly, it helps you see more of the road. In this article, I will discuss DIY headlight cleaning, where to get the service done, and how much it costs. I will also share my experience with the headlight restoration near me.

If you are in need of “headlight restoration near me” see the map below…

How Does the Headlight Restoration Near Me Operates?

At the headlight restoration near me, they use high-end cleaning tools and solvents to remove stains and dirt from the headlight lenses. You can often do this as a walk-in service without the need to schedule an appointment.

For modern cars with plastic lenses, the treatment is a bit more straightforward. For an older vehicle with a glass headlamp, it requires just a bit more physical work and some advanced techniques. A vintage headlight typically takes more time to restore, but it will really be dependent upon the condition that it is in.

Your prices may vary depending on the material your headlight is made out of.

How Much is a Headlight Restoration Service?

On average your costs will be about $100 for a shop to restore plastic headlights. I have seen as little cost as $50 and as high cost as $150 in my area, Glass on a vintage vehicle will be more expensive and will need to be priced out at your local shop.

Why Do Headlights Get Foggy?

There are multiple reasons that car headlights get hazy, fogged, foggy and discolored. The most common reasons are:

Ultraviolet rays from the sun
Vehicle exhaust
Road debris can

Exposed enough over a period of time, these all can cause your headlights to dull, haze, and discolor.

How Often Should Headlights Be Cleaned?

There is no standard or set timeframe for a headlight replacement or restoration. It is a service that you seek when you need it. Typical signs that you need a restoration or replacement of the headlights are when your visibility is compromised or reduced.

Some folks who don’t even drive a vintage vehicle at night will have their headlamps restored to improve the vehicle’s appearance.

Can You Restore Your Headlights Yourself?

You most certainly can do a headlight restoration or replacement on your own, especially on plastic. In fact you should try and do it yourself before hiring a full repair service or worse yet, replacing the headlamps.

For equipment, you can consider getting a headlight restoration kit. These ready-to-work kits, have everything you need, but will still require you to put in some effort. They are not something you just wipe on your headlight and viola they are restored.

On driving a vintage vehcile, my advice is to seek a professional shop that handles old glass headlamps.

Follow these steps before you consider a restoration service on a plastic headlamp…

DIY Plastic Headlight Restoration

Wash the Vehicle: Wash the entire vehicle first to remove the dust and debris that has built up on the exterior. A quick basic hand wash with soap and water is fine.
Use a Cool, Dry and Well Lit Area : Move the vehicle into to a shaded and cool place. Make sure you have enough light to see minor scratches, dings, and dents. Before you do any work, make sure the headlamps are completely dry and have no moisture. Experts recommend ensuring that the headlamps are at room temperature.
Prep- Work: Use a painter’s tape to mask the area around the headlights. Painter’s tape peels off easily and it is specially made for paint protection. This will protect your paint when you begin the restoration process.
Restoration Process: To start, apply wet sandpaper to thin out hazy and fogged plastic lenses. Wet a sheet of 1500-grit sandpaper then start sanding the entire handlamp area in a consistent and straight motion with consistent pressure. Be methodical with your strokes, if you started with vertical strokes, then maintain that motion throughout. Stop occasionally to examine your work. You will keep sanding until the headlamp looks clear. You could apply higher-grit sandpapers if you thought you needed to. The key to a successful restoration is consistency and uniformity in your stroke.
Apply Polish: Sanding the lens creates tiny pieces of sandpaper residue on them and can cause tiny scratches on them. To handle this and remove all of these imperfections you can apply a plastic polish compound. This is applied with a microfiber towel. You will treat the entire headlight with the plastic polish compound. You will do this for about 3-5 minutes per headlight and you will certainly see a difference. If you are not happy, start back at step 4 with sanding.
Deoxydize and Seal: One of the causes of hazy headlights is Oxidization. To counteract that you can apply a headlight deoxidizer. This will improve your headlights’ brightness and illuminate more of the road. Another option you have is to apply UV sealants to reduce the effects of UV rays.

Benefits of Restoring Your Headlights

Since your headlights are a safety feature, they are essential to maintain your safety. Your headlights are the primary way to see the road ahead when it’s dark. It not only helps you see the road but helps other drivers see you.

Who Restores Headlights Near Me?

There are plenty of shops that perform this service. You can actually even get this done at some big box chain brands like Jiffy Lube. The best shops to seek though in my opinion are professional auto detailers. These are places that have the tools, products and are trained in the correct techniques for headlamp restoration. I would trust a local auto detail shop with a plastic headlight.

For a vintage headlight made of glass, I would call first and see what their experience is with restoring headlights on classic cars.

How to Choose a Headlight Restoration Service Near Me

When it comes to finding the best front headlight replacement and restoration near me, there are a few ways I go about seeking this. Price, location, and availability are all things to consider, but for a classic car, I may do much more extensive research.

Here is the way I would approach having this work done and some questions I may ask.

Vehicle Types Serviced: What kind of vehicles do they do? Am I taking my classic car to an everyday shop that deals with plastic headlights? Am I taking my everyday commuter car to a shop that does classic vehicles (in which case you may be overpaying).

Services Offered, Products Used: Do they do headlight restoration or is this just a detail shop? If organic or natural compounds is important to you then you need to ask about their products used up front.

Reviews and Testimonials: What are their customer reviews saying? Look at pictures posted by real customers. Read both good and bad reviews. It may even be better to read reviews on Yelp and Google to ensure they are real.

Pricing: Is it price fair? How bad of shape are my headlights in?

Location and Availability: Can I conveniently get my vehicle to their shop? Do they offer a mobile headlight restoration service?

Maintaining Restored Headlights

After restoring your headlights, it’s crucial to maintain them to ensure they stay clear and effective. Proper maintenance not only enhances the appearance of your vehicle but also ensures safety while driving. Here are some essential tips and regular maintenance advice to keep your restored headlights in top condition.

Protecting Against Environmental Factors

UV damage is a major culprit in causing headlights to turn yellow or become cloudy. To combat this, apply a protective coating that specifically offers UV protection.

This protective coating acts as a barrier against the sun’s harsh rays and prolongs the clarity of your headlights. Reapplying this sealant every few months is a top priority to ensure continuous protection.

Regular Cleaning Routine

Dirt and road debris can accumulate on the lens of your headlights, leading to scratches and dullness. A simple but effective first step in maintenance is regular cleaning. Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to wipe any road debris from your headlights. This not only maintains their appearance but also enhances visibility.

Monitoring and Quick Fixes

Inspect your headlights regularly for signs of oxidation or discoloration. If you notice they’re starting to get foggy or cloudy again, a quick polishing session can help.

Use a mild polishing compound and a microfiber cloth to gently buff the surface. This can remove minor scratches and restore clarity without the need for a full headlight replacement or repair.

Addressing Damage Promptly

If you find any cracks or significant scratches on your headlights, it’s important to address and repair these promptly. Small cracks can lead to bigger issues, like water seeping in and causing further damage.

In such cases, seeking professional services for repair or replacement might be necessary. Remember, delaying these services or repairs can escalate the cost and complexity of the fix.

Avoiding Harsh Chemicals

When maintaining your headlights, avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials. These can strip away the clear coat and damage the lens. Stick to products designed for headlight care to avoid any risk to the effectiveness of cloudy headlights during your restoration work.

By following these simple yet effective maintenance tips, you can ensure your headlights remain clear and functional, enhancing both the performance and safety of your vehicle. Regular upkeep is key to getting the most out of your headlight restoration efforts.