Headlight restoration in Burlington.

Most modern headlight lenses are polycarbonate plastic with a factory clear coat. Sun, heat, road debris and years of washing wear that coating thin. Once the UV layer is gone, the plastic itself oxidizes, turning yellow and hazy. The haze scatters the light, so the beam looks dim and patchy on the road.

It is common on cars that live outside, and it is more common the older the vehicle gets. This page is for owners who have noticed it, a lease return or sale coming up, or an inspection that flagged dim lights. Read more in our guide on why headlights turn yellow.

It is not the same as moisture inside the lens or a cracked housing. Those need a repair shop, and we say so when we see them.

A quick test: if the lens looks clear when wet but frosted when dry, the surface is oxidized rather than damaged beneath. That is the best case for restoration. If the haze stays when the lens is wet, or if it is on the inside, the problem is deeper and a polish will not reach it.

Restoration is abrasion followed by sealing. Skipping the seal is why DIY kits fade fast.

1. Wash and inspect the lenses for cracks, internal moisture or deep pitting.
2. Tape off the surrounding paint and trim to protect it.
3. Wet sand in a few grits, from coarse enough to remove the oxidized layer to fine enough to leave an even haze.
4. Machine polish the lens until it is clear.
5. Clean off residue with a panel wipe so the lens is bare and dry.
6. Apply a UV-protective sealant that replaces the missing factory coat.
7. Check both lights side by side in daylight at the walk-around, and fix any uneven areas.

If you are already booking exterior detailing, headlights fit naturally into the same visit.

Sanding sounds harsh, but it is the only way to remove the dead layer evenly. Each finer grit removes the scratches from the one before it, and the polish brings back transparency. Without sealing, the bare plastic starts to yellow again within months, which is why many kit-based fixes do not last.

Allow 45 minutes to 1.5 hours for a pair, depending on how bad they are. Lightly hazed lenses take less. Heavily yellowed or pitted ones take more passes. Sealant needs a short cure, so we plan the job so you can leave the car alone after.

Because it is a short job, headlight work often rides alongside a larger package. See the guide to detailing times for how it fits in.

Both headlights get the same treatment so that they match. A restored lens next to a cloudy one looks odd, and a mismatched pair can make the car look worse. If only one is bad, we may still do both, and we discuss that when we quote.

Headlight restoration is quoted with your vehicle, so there is no fixed number here. The price depends on how bad the lenses are and whether you are adding it to a package. Adding it to a full detail or exterior detail is usually the most efficient approach.

• Standalone: quoted with your vehicle.
• Added to The Full Detail or Exterior Revival: quoted with your vehicle.
• Additional vehicles in the same booking are 20% off.

Add a photo of each lens to your quote request and we reply with a tailored price, usually the same day.

Headlight restoration pairs well with an exterior detail, since the lenses are cleaned and polished while the car is already wet and masked. It is also a worthwhile addition when preparing a car for sale or lease return, because cloudy lights make the front end look worn.

The new sealant is a replacement UV layer, and it behaves like factory clear coat. Look after it.

• Wash headlights with the rest of the car and avoid harsh solvents.
• Park in shade or a garage when you can.
• Re-apply a UV sealant or coating every so often. A ceramic coating, as on our ceramic coating page, is another way to protect them.
• Do not scrub with abrasive pads.

Night driving is the real benefit. A clear lens passes more light to the road, which makes the beam brighter and more even. It is a safety improvement as well as a cosmetic one, though it does not change the bulb or the alignment of the light.

Headlight work is short and clean, which makes it ideal at your place in Burlington or Oakville. We bring our own water, power and lighting, so we can sand and polish in any driveway. See headlight restoration in Burlington and headlight restoration in Oakville for local details.

The walk-around lets you compare both lenses to the unrestored one in daylight, and to confirm they match.