Best headlight restoration kit?
I have an older (10 years old) SUV that has some bad fogging/hazing on the headlights. Which kit should I get to clear it up?
Best headlight restoration kit?
- Last Updated:
- May 23rd, 2020 6:59 pm
Tags:
- SCORE0
- 1C5 [OP]
- Deal Addict
- Nov 20, 2008
- 1005 posts
- 337 upvotes
22 replies
- FilaGuy
- Member
- Dec 1, 2014
- 272 posts
- 298 upvotes
- Burlington, ON
A Professionally detailer should be able to do a better job but I've read good things about the meguiars headlight restoration kit.
I had a detailer do my Volvo XC90 headlights years ago.. came out looking new and at a fraction of the cost of replacing.
I had a detailer do my Volvo XC90 headlights years ago.. came out looking new and at a fraction of the cost of replacing.
- smacd
- Deal Guru
- Oct 6, 2007
- 10789 posts
- 9474 upvotes
- Kootenays
I use my Porter Cable DA polisher and Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moth ... 2983p.html and 5 minutes on each headlight brings them back to "new" condition.
- 1C5 [OP]
- Deal Addict
- Nov 20, 2008
- 1005 posts
- 337 upvotes
Which polishing pad?smacd wrote: ↑ I use my Porter Cable DA polisher and Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moth ... 2983p.html and 5 minutes on each headlight brings them back to "new" condition.
- m4gician
- Deal Fanatic
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- Sep 2, 2006
- 6351 posts
- 998 upvotes
- Toronto, ON
- smacd
- Deal Guru
- Oct 6, 2007
- 10789 posts
- 9474 upvotes
- Kootenays
- cristianosham
- Deal Addict
- Sep 6, 2017
- 4598 posts
- 3069 upvotes
Toothpaste like those youtube videos.
- iSimple
- Deal Guru
- Sep 13, 2007
- 10935 posts
- 6499 upvotes
- Toronto
That doesn't lastcristianosham wrote: ↑ Toothpaste like those youtube videos.
- derass
- Deal Addict
- Sep 8, 2017
- 4684 posts
- 4945 upvotes
- GTA
I like the 3M kit. It comes with the various sanding discs to remove the oxidized plastic, and a buffing pad and compound to get them crystal clear. But it doesn't come with a sealant, so I use CarPro DLux coating. But my last restoration only lasted 2.5 yrs, so I'm still looking for a better sealant/maintenance strategy.
Maybe 2K clear would be a better solution, but I would like to take the headlights out for that, and I think it requires a heat lamp to cure properly.
Maybe 2K clear would be a better solution, but I would like to take the headlights out for that, and I think it requires a heat lamp to cure properly.
- Brian71
- Sr. Member
- Jul 20, 2012
- 778 posts
- 341 upvotes
- Guelph
I just used the Meguiars kit last week on my g/f"s Sante Fe. Easy to use, just follow the directions. I was happy with the results. After polishing you apply a protective coating which I think is Rain-X.
- Fraser River Rat
- Deal Addict
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- Mar 4, 2007
- 2319 posts
- 480 upvotes
- Vancouver
Hi,
If you're going to keep the suv for more than several more years, you might be better off to get new headlight housings from RockAuto. They're reasonably priced for most vehicles.
https://www.rockauto.com/
If you're going to keep the suv for more than several more years, you might be better off to get new headlight housings from RockAuto. They're reasonably priced for most vehicles.
https://www.rockauto.com/
- Viperoni
- Deal Addict
- Mar 30, 2010
- 3063 posts
- 1416 upvotes
- GTA
Kits dont last because they (almost always) dont seal and protect the headlights against UV - that's what causes yellowing.
Beyond a professional clear coat applied by a body shop, about the only rattlecan that will provide UV protection out of a clear coat is "SprayMax 2k" - sells for about $35 @ NAPA
Beyond a professional clear coat applied by a body shop, about the only rattlecan that will provide UV protection out of a clear coat is "SprayMax 2k" - sells for about $35 @ NAPA
- Xtrema
- Deal Guru
- Sep 1, 2004
- 11915 posts
- 11912 upvotes
- sickcars
- Deal Guru
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- Mar 13, 2004
- 13727 posts
- 5428 upvotes
- Ontario
Was about to say you can polish them then Ceramic Coat the headlights or at the very least Wax them with a quality product 2 or 3 times a year - https://carzilla.ca/collections/brand-c ... lecoat-9oz
- derass
- Deal Addict
- Sep 8, 2017
- 4684 posts
- 4945 upvotes
- GTA
I think that's where I went wrong.
I restored mine and coated them, but never did anything to maintain them. Maybe if I waxed them a few times a year the restoration would've lasted longer.
I restored mine and coated them, but never did anything to maintain them. Maybe if I waxed them a few times a year the restoration would've lasted longer.
- Xtrema
- Deal Guru
- Sep 1, 2004
- 11915 posts
- 11912 upvotes
New to cermatic coating so I have no idea how long they last but I expect at least a year or so.
- smacd
- Deal Guru
- Oct 6, 2007
- 10789 posts
- 9474 upvotes
- Kootenays
I don't mind 5 minutes per side, once a year. I usually buff out any scuffs in the paint at the same time.
- 1C5 [OP]
- Deal Addict
- Nov 20, 2008
- 1005 posts
- 337 upvotes
I used the Meguiar's heavy duty kit. Did a good job for only a few minutes of effort. Will see how long it lasts.
- EP32k2
- Deal Expert
- Jan 15, 2006
- 21118 posts
- 23080 upvotes
- Richmond Hill
- craftsman
- Deal Expert
- Jan 27, 2006
- 21623 posts
- 15249 upvotes
- Vancouver, BC
Several years ago, Meguiars had a paste product called "Headlight Protectant" that they sold separately and it was basically sunscreen for the headlights - the stuff even smells like sunscreen. I've used it for the past 7 years on my car and the headlights are still crystal clear.
I see that Meguiars seems to have re-released the product in a spray can now called "Headlight Coating". Canadian Tire has it bundled with a restoration kit for $25.
I see that Meguiars seems to have re-released the product in a spray can now called "Headlight Coating". Canadian Tire has it bundled with a restoration kit for $25.