Headlight polishing is a simple yet important procedure that improves your vehicle's appearance and enhances road safety. Over the years, the plastic surfaces of headlights are exposed to the sun's UV radiation, dirt, and scratches, causing them to become hazy and dull. This can significantly reduce light output, which in turn affects visibility, especially in the dark and in poor weather conditions.
Fortunately, headlight polishing is an affordable and effective solution that helps restore the original clarity of your lights without needing to replace the entire headlight assembly. In this article, we'll explain why headlight polishing is important, how it's done, and what benefits it offers.
Why is headlight polishing necessary?
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Better visibility and safety
Dull and scratched headlights reduce light transmission, which decreases visibility on the road. This can be especially dangerous in the dark and on rainy roads. Polished headlights significantly improve light output and make driving safer. -
Cost savings
Buying new headlights can be expensive, especially for modern vehicles that use advanced LED or xenon lights. By polishing your headlights, you can avoid unnecessary spare parts costs and extend the lifespan of the headlight units. -
More stylish appearance
Clear headlights not only improve the driving experience but also enhance your car's appearance. Dull headlights can make a car look older and run-down, while polished lights restore a newer look.
How is headlight polishing done?
There are a few options for what should be done to the headlights. If the lights are only slightly faded, it's not advisable to immediately resort to the most aggressive methods and start wet sanding the headlights; in this case, simple polishing might be enough. Below, we've listed 3 different scenarios and instructions on how you can polish your headlights in your own garage.
You will need:
- Wet sandpaper in grits 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000
- Sanding pad (This ensures an even sanding result as pressure is distributed evenly across the surface being sanded)
- Polishing compound
- Masking tape
- Isopropyl alcohol or Fure Glass Cleaner
- UV protection (Headlight coating or clear coat spray)
- Microfiber cloths
1. Thorough cleaning of headlights
The work begins with a thorough cleaning of the lamps. For this, an excellent cleaning agent is, for example, Fure Car Shampoo.
Prepare washing water in a bucket and wash the headlights carefully with a wash mitt or a soft sponge. Clean the lights thoroughly and ensure no impurities, such as insects or tar, remain on the surface. Finally, rinse the lights with clean water. If you are skilled with tools, you can also remove the headlights from the car, which reduces the need to protect the rest of the car and makes the job easier. If you do not remove the headlight, protect the painted surface around it with masking tape.
2. Wet sanding
Now that the headlights are clean, you can start wet sanding. Take a spray bottle with clean water and thoroughly wet the headlight surface and the sandpaper. Start sanding horizontally with the coarsest paper. Rinse the sandpaper and headlight with water so that debris from the headlight does not clog the sandpaper. Periodically dry the headlight with a microfiber cloth and check your progress. Once all scratches align with the sanding direction and the entire headlight is matte, you can move to a finer grit sandpaper and change the sanding direction to vertical. Continue sanding until the marks align with the sanding direction, then switch to an even finer paper and change the sanding direction to horizontal. Continue this process until you reach 2000 grit paper.
Headlight polishing can also be done with an orbital polisher if you already have one or are willing to invest in one. An orbital polisher significantly reduces manual effort and results in a better finish.
3. Headlight polishing
Now that scratches and impurities have been removed from the headlight, it's time to polish it. For this, you'll need polishing compound and, for example, a polishing pad that can be attached to a drill. Headlight polishing is done similarly to machine polishing a painted surface.
Begin headlight polishing with a coarse abrasive paste, working over the headlight with slow and even movements. Periodically wipe the headlight clean with a microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol to check the situation. Once the headlight surface has brightened and the scratches have disappeared, switch to a finer abrasive paste. Continue polishing until the headlight is clear and clean.
If you wish, you can also skip the polishing step and, after wet sanding, paint the headlight with a clear coat from a spray can. This will restore the headlight's shine and simultaneously protect it from UV radiation. Once the lacquer has dried, you can re-install the lights on the car.
4. Protection
Now that the headlights have been polished and the lens is clear, it's time to protect it. During wet sanding, the headlight's original yellowish UV protection was removed, and now the headlight needs to be protected to prevent it from fading again. For this, coatings designed for plastic surfaces that contain UV protection are used. Unfortunately, Fure's selection does not include these, but for example, our reseller Shineld has such products with installation instructions! www.shineld.fi
Benefits of polishing – more than just clear lights
- Better resale value: Well-maintained headlights give buyers a better first impression.
- More power in winter conditions: Clear lights make driving safer, as snow and rain do not reflect light in the same way as from dull surfaces.
- Environmentally friendly option: By polishing old headlights, you save natural resources that would be consumed in manufacturing new parts.
And with that, the job is done, and your headlights have been restored to their new shine! Properly protected, headlight polishing will not be in vain, and the headlights will stay clear for a long time. If you have any questions about the procedures, feel free to call us or send an email, and we will do our best to answer them :)
Unfortunately, we do not have supplies in stock, but I recommend visiting our reseller Shineld's website. You will find everything you need for headlight polishing there!
