We all have tow vehicles and daily drivers.
Seems like most every newer vehicle has headlight covers / lenses made of Lexan or a similar clear plastic.
They get ugly after a few years, foggy looking, and that probably cuts down the effectiveness of the headlights for night driving.
I have seen quite a few products for "restoring" the lenses, never tried any yet. My son bought some kit once, that did not work at all. Some are basically a wet wipe that sure doesn't seem like it would work. I've seen kits that have a buffing wheel you put in a drill, and a compound you use with it. Mine on my truck are bad enough I am considering just buying new OEM lenses. Girl friend has an SUV, hers are getting bad, but she rarely drives at night, it is more of an appearance thing with her. She has been Googling all kinds of stuff, some of it sounds ridiculous, like toothpaste, backwoods bug repellent, etc.

Looking for a recommendation, (or several). I trust this group for tech advice, so I'd like to hear of any personally tried products that actually work, will clear up the lenses and won't take an hour or 2 of elbow grease to do it. Or should I just buy new ones?

I have tried several over the years and the best results only lasted a few days and once the uv rays had their way it seemed worse. I usually buy new but there are some so expensive it's a toss up on buying a new car. LOL

Try the Cerakote kit. It's been at least a full year since we did my son's car and they still look great.

Less than $20 at Walmart.

You can wet sand them and buff with a normal buffing wheel and compound and buy a can of good spray bomb clear and clear them and they will last

3M Headlight Restoration Kit works well, but it is a lot of work. It will take about an hour per lense if done right. The results should last about 2 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Little Chief:
I usually buy new but there are some so expensive it's a toss up on buying a new car. LOL

Man, you are not kidding! After searching for way too long, it appears NOBODY sells the lenses, you have to replace the entire assemblies, (including Low and High Beam, Marker lights, Turn Signals, DRL, chrome trim, etc). My high beam lenses are perfectly clear, all I need is the little 2.5x5 inch low-beam lens, but you can't buy them anywhere. The whole replacement assemblies range from $350 per side for generic Chinese crap, to $1,718 Each at Autozone for "OE Quality" replacements! Wow.
After reading quite a few reviews, it looks like the Cerakote kit that Tony recommended is the highest rated, and lots of people posted before & after pictures of theirs, so I guess I will try that option. They claim the ceramic coating lasts the life of the car, but one guy said his held up for 3+ years and was re-ordering.
It seems insane that a person would have to spend $3500 for a bolt-on solution.
Thanks to all of you guys that offered your input, it is sincerely appreciated.

The only way that will last wet sand with 600 grit and get a body to spray with clear. Most rattle cans will turn yellow.

quote:

Originally posted by Lenny5160:
Try the Cerakote kit. It's been at least a full year since we did my son's car and they still look great.

Less than $20 at Walmart.

This on 2 vehicles a year ago and they look great

Firstly, search YouTube for how-to's and reviews. Project Farm is typically reliable. Treat them exactly how you would paint restoration, remembering if you generate too much heat it will smear the plastic. Once you have the results you want put a purpose engineered clear coat to protect from UV.

Was looking for something. Looked into replacing both lamp assembly on her Equinox on the tube To replace them you literally have to almost remove the entire front end. It would be a 10-15 beer job.Complete front bumper assmy has to come off and the inner fenders. Cerakote kit ordered. Thank You

We removed them and water sanded with 1500 paper. Urethane 2000 clear. Been five years now. Done a few of them..

We had to replace one low beam light bulb in our grand daughters 2016 Subaru Outback. It required removing the entire front end, including the grill and all the attaching hardware, a three and a half hour process. While the front end was off I had all of the light bulbs replaced. Cost of all 6 bulbs about $25 plus three labor hour shop charge @ 82.50 per hour ($288.75). The shop offered to clear the lens covers for another $100, I was done at $314.

I would have been money ahead by NOT changing the light bulbs, selling the car and buying her a 100 year buss pass.

There will be NO "Second Time"!

Bob