Do Car Headlight Restoration Kits Really Work?
While not a permanent solution, these kits do make a noticeable difference—and are a better value than replacing your headlights
Over time, some cars’ headlights have a tendency to go from crystal clear to cloudy. But how much does this degradation affect a driver’s visibility at night, and is there anything you can do to correct the problem?
“The yellow and fogginess you see on car headlights as they age will affect how much light is projected out onto the road and degrades your visibility,” says John Ibbotson, chief mechanic for Consumer Reports and longtime headlight tester. “There’s a polycarbonate coating that goes on headlight lenses, and that’s what’s deteriorating as your headlights age, particularly in areas where cars get a lot of sun.”
The good news is you have options. You can either replace your headlight housings or restore them using a headlight restoration kit. These can cost from $10 to $25. Essentially, they help you sand off the damaged lens coating, then reapply a protective layer. The kits require a bit of elbow grease. Some require an electric drill for buffing.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from an episode of "Talking Cars with Consumer Reports."
