Restoring a headlight lens involves cleaning, sanding, polishing, and sealing the lens to remove oxidation and restore clarity. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
You'll need:
- Headlight restoration kit (like the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit)
- Car soap and water
- Painter's tape
- Clean microfiber cloths
- Spray bottle with water
- UV sealant (included in most kits)
Step 2: Clean the Headlight Lenses
Thoroughly wash the headlight lenses with car soap and water to remove any dirt, grime, or debris. This ensures proper sanding and polishing. Rinse and dry completely.
Step 3: Tape Off Surrounding Areas
Use painter's tape to carefully mask off the paint surrounding the headlight lenses. This protects the paint from accidental sanding or polishing.
Step 4: Sand Away the Oxidation
This is the most crucial step. Most headlight restoration kits include several grades of sandpaper (e.g., 400 grit, 800 grit, 2000 grit).
- Start with the coarsest grit (e.g., 400 grit): Wet the sandpaper and the lens with water. Sand the lens in a uniform, overlapping pattern (horizontal, then vertical) until the entire surface is uniformly hazed. Apply moderate pressure.
- Move to the next grit (e.g., 800 grit): Repeat the sanding process, using the same uniform pattern. Wet the sandpaper and the lens frequently. The goal is to remove the scratches left by the previous grit.
- Finish with the finest grit (e.g., 2000 grit): Repeat the sanding process. The lens should now appear smoother, but still hazy.
Important: Keep the sandpaper and lens wet during the entire sanding process. This helps to prevent the sandpaper from clogging and reduces heat buildup.
Step 5: Polish the Lenses
Apply the polishing compound (included in the kit) to a clean microfiber cloth or the applicator pad provided. Polish the lens using firm, circular motions. Continue polishing until the lens becomes clear. You may need to apply more compound as needed. If the kit includes a polishing tool attachment for a drill, this can significantly speed up the polishing process.
Step 6: Apply UV Sealant
This is a critical step to prevent the headlights from oxidizing again quickly. Apply the UV sealant (usually a wipe or spray) according to the kit's instructions. Allow the sealant to cure fully, as directed on the packaging. This typically involves keeping the car out of direct sunlight for a specified period.
Step 7: Test It Out
Remove the painter's tape and inspect your work. Turn on your headlights to ensure they are significantly brighter and clearer than before.
