Headlight Restoration Kits: Are They Worth It?

Headlight Restoration Kits: Are They Worth It?

If your vehicle is a few years old and has been through some extreme environmental conditions, you may have noticed your headlights don't work quite as well as they did coming off the lot. It's only natural that the plastic casings will age, but what can be done to reverse it? Both we and our partners at Fenkell Automotive here in Detroit, MI have seen the late-night infomercials that claim to restore your headlights to like-new conditions, but do they work?

The process of most kits is simple. They work by sanding down the damaged plastic surface and buffing it out so the new, unblemished surface is exposed. Different brands use different techniques and have different amounts of steps, but they all work on the same principle. So, do they work? Overall, yes. They do. You'll get varying results based on the quality of the kit and how strictly you follow the instructions, but you will have a noticeable difference in the brightness of your headlights. 

The next question is: Are they worth purchasing? They answer is maybe. There are two factors to consider. The first is whether or not the plastic is really the issue. Is the bulb to blame as well? Is so, no matter how clear the plastic is, the light just won't be that bright. The second is the cost of the restoration kit versus a new headlight. If you have a particularly expensive model of headlight, you may want to eek out a few more months by restoring. It the price is negligible, you may want to spring for a new one and replace it yourself. Before you puck up the phone and order one of the many kits available, take a second to consider your options.

Written By: Todd Hendrickson