Every mile you drive, your plastic headlight lenses are under chemical and radiation attack. Your headlight lenses don\u2019t stand a chance against ultraviolet rays from the sun and volatile compounds in vehicle exhaust, which is why they start to yellow and \u201cfog\u201d over \u2014 not the same as<\/span> condensation inside<\/em> the headlight<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n In the past, replacement was the only option, and an expensive one at that, but headlight restoration can bring your lenses back to near-factory condition. Using a kit, like the<\/span> 3M Headlight Restoration System<\/a><\/strong>, can restore your night visibility and safety, and only requires the kit, masking tape, a hand drill, spray bottle, clean cloth and some patience. It\u2019s simple four-step process:<\/span><\/p>\n Start by thoroughly cleaning the headlights and surrounding areas. Then tape off the areas around the headlights, so that only the lens is exposed. This is basically to prevent you from accidentally sanding the edge of the hood or bumper while you work.<\/span><\/p>\n Remove oxidized parts of your headlight lens and then work your way back to a smooth surface. Using a hand drill, rated between 1,200 and 1,600 rpm, start with the 500-grit sanding disc to remove yellowing and pitting. Be sure to keep moving over the surface of the lens and don\u2019t apply excessive pressure. Wipe the headlight down and check that the surface is evenly frosted.<\/span><\/p>\n Next, you\u2019ll step up to 1,000-grit discs. Again, wipe the headlight down and check that the surface is evenly frosted. Sand any spots that bear marks from the 500-grit step.<\/span><\/p>\n Step up to the 3,000-grit finishing discs. Spray the headlight lens and sanding pad frequently with water and the entire surface of the lens until yellowing and pitting is removed. Again, keep the sanding pad moving over the surface of the lens and don\u2019t apply excessive pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n The longer you spend on this step the better your final results will be, and at the end of this step, you should note a significant improvement in headlight lens clarity.<\/span><\/p>\n Using the foam buffing pad and a dime-size spot of rubbing compound will really improve clarity. Apply the polish to the foam pad, then rub it over the headlight lens before<\/em> turning on the drill. This will help to prevent spattering polishing compound all over the place when you want to be rubbing it into the headlight.<\/span><\/p>\n Using medium pressure, polish the surface of the headlight until it gleams. Wipe down the headlight, which should look nearly new by now. Apply protectant if included in the kit and wipe off with a microfiber cloth. You\u2019re ready for the road!<\/span><\/p>\n Considering that headlights can cost anywhere from $200 to well over $1,000, the value this headlight restoration kit offers just can\u2019t be overlooked. Set aside an hour for headlight restoration and restore night vision, safety and your vehicle\u2019s appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n For more information on headlight restoration, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local<\/span> NAPA AUTO PARTS store<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo Credit: Seth Birenbaum,\u00a0Pomona Swap Meet.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n This article has been reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder, National Automotive Parts Association. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Click here for more<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>automotive tips and stories<\/a><\/i><\/strong>\u00a0from NAPA, or here for more information on<\/span> the next Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":9658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[805],"tags":[2451,5465,3475,5464,5468,5463,5466,933,3026,5470,5469,5467],"class_list":["post-9656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-classic-tips","tag-3m","tag-3m-headlight-restoration-system","tag-benjamin-jerew","tag-condensation-inside-headlight","tag-headlight-lens","tag-headlight-restoration","tag-headlight-restoration-kit","tag-headlights","tag-napa-know-how","tag-replace-headlight-lens","tag-restore-headlight-lens","tag-seth-birenbaum"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t1. Prepare<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Sand
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n3. Wet-sand<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Polish<\/strong><\/h3>\n