Let's Clear Some Things Up (Headlight Restoration)
May 14, 2023
You know how exposing your skin to sunlight can cause sunburn and other unhealthy things. Sunlight can also create major problems for your headlights. After they've been exposed to ultraviolet light, acrylic headlights can yellow and fog due to oxidation. And when that happens, less light can pass through the plastic, reducing the effectiveness—and safety—of your headlights.
It's not just the UV light that causes headlights to turn cloudy. Road grime and debris gets kicked up and can scratch the plastic, diffusing the light that should pass through them when they're clear. Plus, when your vehicle was new from the factory, the headlights had watertight seals all around to prevent moisture from getting into them and fogging them up with water vapor. Just like clouds can hide the sun, tiny water molecules can diffuse the light from your headlight bulbs.
Sure, you could buy replacement parts and start fresh. But the good news is many vehicle repair facilities can restore your original headlights to perform like they did when you first bought your vehicle. Here's how it works:
- A technician will protect your vehicle's paint by either taking the headlights out or by taping off the paint near the headlights and leaving them in place.
- Residue is removed from the headlight surfaces by wet sanding to remove the oxidized plastic.
- Using special compounds, the technician will buff and polish the surface of the lens so it looks as smooth as glass.
- The newly-polished plastic is then sealed with wax or a special sealant designed to keep them operating like new.
- If the seals that keep the moisture out of the inside of your headlights have dried out or cracked, they will be restored or replaced to keep condensation from forming again.
Visibility at night is vital for safe driving, and if your headlights aren't performing up to their potential, the less you'll be able to see ahead of you.
There are many advantages of having your headlights restored rather than buying new or aftermarket replacements. It's friendlier to the planet since plastics are made of oil, so it's reducing the amount of plastic that is manufactured. And it's usually cheaper to have your headlights restored rather than replaced.
Consider headlight restoration a way to literally recycle those parts of your vehicle. That seems to be perfectly clear!
Gary Knurek GoodYear
1973 Livernois
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-362-0350
Need Service?
More articles from Gary Knurek, Authorized GoodYear Dealer

Tread Carefully: What Normal Tire Wear Looks Like
August 30, 2026
Every day we get in our vehicle and drive, we are putting wear and tear on our tires. Some wear is, of course, normal, but its important to know whats NOT normal. Not only can that alert you to potential safety issues, I can also save you money and fuel. Your tires tread (the part that contacts t... More

Helping Your Engine Breathe Easier
August 23, 2026
You may have heard someone tell you its time to replace your vehicles engine air filter and thought, Its OK. Ill do it in a while. While its tempting to put that off, keep in mind that having your engine air filter replaced is one of the easiest ways to maintain your vehicles performance and ef... More

Wobbly in Turns? Your Sway Bar May Be to Blame
August 16, 2026
When you take a corner in your vehicle, its supposed to feel controlled and stable. But you might notice one day that your vehicle feels like it is unstable, or even like its floating. It can be a scary sensation that gets your attention. If you feel that as you change lanes or when turning a ... More
