The Best Headlight Restoration Kits
Headlights are essential for safety. Unfortunately, most drivers keep cars for decades without ever considering headlight maintenance. After years of constant exposure to the elements, those plastic lenses that cover your bulbs can really start to take a beating. Then, the lenses become opaque and foggy, making your night drives less bright and less safe. A simple and affordable solution to this issue is the headlight restoration kit. Headlight restoration kits contain everything you need to get those lenses back to crystal-clear clarity in no time. Read on to discover our list of the best headlight restoration kits available.
3M Headlight Restoration Kit
Clear as Crystal
“Headlight restoration” might sound like a difficult process. Fortunately, with this kit from 3M, it’s easier than ever. 3M is a highly respected name in auto-parts and they live up to their sterling reputation with this headlight restoration kit. The kit includes a few sets of sanding discs, a foam pad, and a rubbing compound to break down the foggy buildup. One unique addition that really impressed us with this kit is its disc pad holder. The disc pad holder is a power-drill extension that you can equip with one of the sanding discs for easier removal. Considering the low asking price, this offering from 3M is a total steal of a deal.
Pros:
- Offers a disc pad holder to allow for faster, easier buildup removal
- Includes multiple grades and sets of sanding pads
- Very affordable
Cons:
- The sanding pads could be more durable
Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit
That New Car Sheen
Hazy headlights aren’t just a safety hazard. They also significantly age the look of your car. Sylvania’s affordable and convenient headlight restoration kit is here to help you kill two birds with one stone. This kit comes with a ton of goodies that’ll make this job a cakewalk. Sylvania offers a surface activator for application during sanding, premium sandpaper, polish cloths, vinyl gloves, and two different finishing agents. Their UV-blocking clear coat offers protection from sun staining and the clarifying compound keeps your lenses in the face of the elements. In just three easy steps, you can be on the bright path to clearer headlights with this kit from Sylvania.
Pros:
- Offers two different finishing agents
- Provides protective gloves
- Durable, thick sandpaper
Cons:
- Reapplication may be necessary every few months
Cerakote Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit
Let it Shine
This ceramic, UV-busting finisher from Cerakote is one of the best in the business. Cerakote’s proprietary ceramic coating chemically bonds to your lenses, providing maximum protection from UV rays and weather. Some kits offer protection for a couple of months or a year, but this kit is on another level. In fact, this may very well be the only headlight restoration kit you ever need to buy. Cerakote also includes an oxidization remover, surface prep pads, and ceramic finishing wipes. As you may have guessed, this kind of quality comes at a higher price. However, we highly recommend this pick to anyone looking for a one-and-done headlight restoration kit.
Pros:
- High-end ceramic finishing agent that provides premium protection
- No tools required
- The oxidization remover is highly effective and easy to use
Cons:
- Considerably more expensive than our other picks
Mookis Headlight Restoration Kit
Just Like New
If you want to get this job done with as little grunt work as possible, this headlight restoration kit from Mookis is the pick you’ve been waiting for. Mookis offers a power-drill adapter for their sanding discs that chips off oxidization and grime in no time. Hand-sanding can be an arduous and time-consuming process. This kit makes things a little easier with power tool functionality. Mookis also offers two finishing agents, sponges, and some masking tape to protect your car’s paint job. Mookis’s headlight restoration kit is simple, affordable, and long-lasting, so it’s a great way to keep your lights bright for the long haul.
Pros:
- Features two high-quality finishing agents
- Protects from UV rays as much as it does weather
- Provides masking tape to prevent the finishing agent from messing up your car’s paint job
Cons:
- The UV finishing agent dries in streaks if not applied properly
Rust-Oleum Headlight Restoration Kit
Light Your Way
Clarity of vision while driving at night is invaluable. Luckily, Rust-Oleum provides you with that peace of mind for a shockingly low price. This headlight restoration kit is eminently affordable but still stacks up against the higher-priced competition. Rust-Oleum provides a polishing pad for sanding, nano-polymer finishing wipes, protective gloves, and a microfiber cloth. This headlight restoration kit will knock out oxidization and weathering from your lenses while offering continued protection from UV rays in the future. For anyone looking to get the job done on a budget, this is the pick for you.
Pros:
- Nano-polymer finishing agent provides maximum UV protection
- Very affordable
- Microfiber cloth helps make your lenses crystal clear
Cons:
- Not the longest-lasting restoration kit
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main components of headlight restoration kits?
Most headlight restoration kits consist of some kind of abrasive element, a cleaning agent, and a coating agent for finishing. The abrasive element grinds off the layer of hazy filament that builds up on your lenses and the coating element gives them a protective finish. Some kits also provide disc pad holders, which are power-drill extensions that allow you to scrape off the weathered layer with less effort.
How often will I need to use my headlight restoration kit?
If you apply the kit properly and your lenses aren’t too old or cheap, the coating should last you a long while. At the maximum, you should apply the kit every few months. Those that don’t mind a little bit of headlight fog can even apply a restoration kit once every two years or so.
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