How to Repair & Restore a Headlight

Headlights are one of the most important safety features on any vehicle. This simple feature allows you to see better in dark or foggy situations but also allows others to see you coming. Over time, a headlight lens can get pitted, grimy, scratched and cloudy. All of these decrease the amount and quality of the light emanating from the headlights. To repair and restore the headlight, you'll need to clean, sand and wax the plastic compound that makes up the lens to make it as good as new.

• 1

  Wash the lens with a sponge or rag soaked in water and a grease-cutting dish soap. The grease cutting compounds will help break up tar residue that has been left on the lens. If any stubborn or larger pieces of tar or grime remain, use a small plastic putty knife to scrape them off.

• 2

  Dip a clean rag in some denatured alcohol and rub it onto the lens to removed any cloudiness. Let it dry for one minute and inspect the lens for any cloudiness or yellowing. Repeat this process if necessary.

• 3

  Sand the headlight with an 800-grit wet/dry sandpaper that has been thoroughly soaked in clean water. Making sure the paper stays wet, sand in a tight circular motion to remove scratches and small chips.

• 4

  Sand with a 1000-grit sandpaper also soaked in water to eliminate any remaining small scratches and polish the plastic finish. Again, make sure the paper stays wet.

• 5

  Use a clean rag to rub car wax into the plastic lens. Let it dry for one minute and then buff out with a clean corner of the rag.