Polycarbonate headlight lenses leave the factory with a UV-resistant hard coat. Florida sun burns through it in a few years, and the lens underneath yellows and hazes — cutting light output and ageing the whole front of the car. Restoration removes the failed layer and re-protects the lens.
The process
- Mask surrounding paint and trim.
- Wet-sand through progressively finer grits to remove the oxidized layer.
- Machine polish to optical clarity.
- Apply a UV-resistant protective coating so the haze doesn’t return in a season.
Limits
Restoration treats the outside of the lens. Internal moisture, cracked lenses and failed reflectors are replacement items. Deeply pitted lenses may improve significantly without reaching perfect.
What to expect
- Noticeably clearer lenses and better night visibility
- Protective coating applied, not just polished
- Usually completed within the same visit
Honest limits.
- Cannot fix internal condensation, cracks or reflector failure.
- Severely pitted lenses improve but may not return to new.
Benefits
- Safer night driving
- Immediate visual improvement
- Far cheaper than replacement housings
Frequently asked
How long does the clarity last?
With a proper UV-protective coating applied afterwards, typically a year or more; without it, haze can return in months.