Best Headlight Restoration Kit (2023 Reviews and Guide)
Are you looking for the best headlight restoration kit to repair and properly restore your car’s headlights to their former glory? This detailed guide and reviews can help you with that. We examined the leading headlight restoration kits, so read on to find the best one for your car.
Brief Overview of Our Top Selection
WhyDoesEverythingSuck is reader-supported. We may receive a commission if you buy through links on this page. However, this doesn’t affect our opinions. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System
Editor's choice
- No noticeable degradation over time
- Only four steps to complete the restoration
- UV protection lasts up to three years
- Compatible with various power tools
10
$21.95
Read Review Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit
Redditors' top choice
- Perfect results when properly used
- Re-oxidation protection lasts up to a year
- Safely smooths scratches and oxidation
- Protection lasts up to 12 months
9.2
$28.99
Read Review Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit
Excellent choice for power tool users
- Ideal for badly damaged headlights
- Reusable precision foam ball
- Fast and easy for power tool users
- High precision foam polishing ball
9.9
$27.99
Read Review Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit
Top-rated headlight restoration kit
- Headlights look brand new
- Overwhelming positive feedback
- Low risk of damaging car paint
- Takes only 30 minutes
9.5
$19.99
Read Review Turtle Wax Speed Headlight Cleaner Kit
Top choice for budget-buyers
- Clear and sparkling finish
- Ideal for headlight maintenance
- Pro results without a power tool
- Great for long-term maintenance
9.8
$10.00
Read Review Philips Headlight Restoration Kit
Fantastic for long-term UV protection
- Long-term UV protection
- Quality sandpapers and solutions
- Application takes less than 30 mins
- Works on different lenses
9.6
$22.21
Read Review Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit
Most popular easy-to-use kit
- Three solutions for restoration
- Highly improves visibility
- Ideal for headlights and taillights
- Works with most power tools
9.4
$18.28
Read Review Headlight Restore.US Headlight Restoration Kit
Perfect for plastic headlights
- Scrubbing with wipes only
- Ideal for quick maintenance
- Lasting UV protection
- Fixes light damage and yellowing
9.3
$10.97
Read Review Adam's Polishes Headlight Restoration Kit
Top new headlight restoration kit
- Sandpapers work on all scratches
- Removes yellowing, improves shine
- Long-term UV protection coating
- Ideal for oxidation
9.7
$28.04
Read ReviewTop Headlight Restoration Kit Reviews
To help you make the best decision possible, we tried and tested each product for quality and efficacy. Let’s begin!
3M Headlight Lens Restoration System
10
Editor's choice
- Kit contents: Disc pad holder, six gold sanding discs, four white finishing discs, Trizact refining disc, rubbing compound, buffing pad
- Used on: Plastic lenses
- Warranty: Limited, one-year
The popular 3M headlight restoration kit is one of the top products of this type on the market, according to countless 3M headlight restoration kit reviews, and we believe it is the very best. First of all, 3M is a highly-trusted brand in the automotive industry, also known for making one of the best windshield repair kits. Most of their products are made for professionals, so you can expect them to deliver the best possible results.
Our 3m headlight restoration kit review has to note that this kit is surprisingly easy to use for a product made for professionals. While this also means it takes a bit to use it properly and even though it requires a (1,200–1,600 rpm) drill to work, the instructions are detailed and straightforward enough for anyone to be able to follow along.
And, of course, if you truly want the best possible results, you have to go with a professional headlight restoration kit. While some of the users complained about the process taking a bit longer than with similar kits, the results more than make up for this. Even though the 3M heavy-duty headlight restoration kit doesn’t include a drill, it has everything else you need. This includes a Trizact sanding disc and a rubbing compound.
All in all, with this top-rated headlight restoration kit, you can effectively remove all the yellowing and buildup from your headlights without damaging them, and that’s precisely what you need from a restoration kit.
Pros
- + No noticeable degradation over time
- + Only four steps to complete the restoration
- + UV protection lasts up to three years
- + Compatible with various power tools
Cons
- − Takes longer than average to use
Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit
9.2
Redditors' top choice
- Kit contents: Cleaner and polish, headlight coating, applicator pad, wool pad, 1,000 and 3,000 grit sandpaper, sanding pad
- Used on: Plastic headlights
- Warranty: One-year
Meguiar’s headlight restoration kit is another heavy-duty kit that requires you to use a drill to achieve the best possible results. But just as we’ve explained in the 3M headlight restoration kit review, you want to have a kit that needs a power drill as it’s the best way to achieve pristinely clean headlights and remove deeper scratches. With Meguiar’s professional headlight restoration kit, you achieve exactly that, a clean, professional look for your headlights. When adequately used, the equipment can effectively remove all cloudiness, yellowing, and of course, all oxidation.
Despite the fact a drill is required, the set is easy to use. You start with some light sanding, and then you apply the cleaner/polish with the wool pad that can be attached to most power drills. As all Meguiar’s headlight restoration reviews have shown, this helps clean the plastic properly without damaging it. Then you can finish it with the special protectant solution that can save your headlights from oxidation and yellowing for up to 12 months.
Pros
- + Perfect results when properly used
- + Re-oxidation protection lasts up to a year
- + Safely smooths scratches and oxidation
- + Protection lasts up to 12 months
Cons
- − Requires a power drill for the best results
Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit
9.9
Excellent choice for power tool users
- Kit contents: Five sanding pads, drill adapter, polishing tool, polish compound
- Used on: Plastic and acrylic headlights
- Warranty: None
Mothers is a notable brand in the car industry, so it’s no wonder that their headlight renewal kit is virtually perfect. It works on all plastic and acrylic headlights, and with proper use, it will always help you restore the headlights to total clarity. Almost every Mothers headlight restoration kit review mentions how efficiently the product removes all stains, scratches, and smudges, so it’s no wonder that it’s excellent even for badly damaged headlights.
The kit comes with a reusable polishing tool, something you rarely get with other headlight restoration kits. Even though the sandpapers can be used only once, especially when the headlights require major restoration, thanks to the product’s long-lasting effects, you won’t need to use them again for a long time. By the time you need them, it would be much easier to get a new kit anyway. With all the other items in it, the Mothers headlight restoration kit offers a genuine all-in-one service. You can even use the foam ball to keep the lights clear once they get a bit dirty again.
Some Mothers headlight restoration kit reviews mention that it’s not as efficient if used without a drill. Still, they fail to consider that this product is made for power tool users, and if you’re one, you’ll hardly be disappointed with the results.
Pros
- + Ideal for badly damaged headlights
- + Reusable precision foam ball
- + Fast and easy for power tool users
- + High precision foam polishing ball
Cons
- − Sandpapers not suitable for multiple uses
Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit
9.5
Top-rated headlight restoration kit
- Kit contents: Surface activator, clarifying compound, UV block clear coat, waterproof sandpaper, two application cloths, blue lint-free UC coat applicator cloth, vinyl gloves
- Used on: Plastic lenses
- Warranty: Lifetime
Sylvania is one of the most popular brands on the market, and most drivers have heard about it, as long as they ever had to buy new tail light bulbs or replacement headlights. So it’s only natural that the company offers one of the best headlight restoration kits money can buy. The Sylvania headlight restoration kit is made by a reputable brand, so it’s not surprising that it comes with a lifetime warranty, which is more than most restoration kits can offer. On top of that, it works pretty well.
The Sylvania headlight restoration case includes all the products you need, from the compounds and UV block coatings to the applicator cloths and sandpaper for cleaning. All of these are used in a simple three-step process. Even though some headlight restoration kit reviews for Sylvania’s kit state that the instructions weren’t clear enough, we’ve found that they worked well for us after reading them over more than once.
You start by using the Surface Activator that makes the plastic softer. After leaving it for 30 seconds, you can sand and polish the lights. Once that’s done, you need to reapply the Activator and use the UV Block Clear Coat to cover the lenses in a protective layer. All of this only takes 30 minutes per light, and the kit helps you completely clear your headlights, just as most Sylvania headlight lens restorer reviews state. This might be too long for some, and even though the instructions might be a bit unclear, the results are undoubtedly worth it as they are often much better than with other products.
Pros
- + Headlights look brand new
- + Overwhelming positive feedback
- + Low risk of damaging car paint
- + Takes only 30 minutes
Cons
- − Some complaints of unclear instruction
Turtle Wax Speed Headlight Cleaner Kit
9.8
Top choice for budget-buyers
- Kit contents: Precision polishing pad, two ceramic acrylic sealing wipes, repair and renew compound polish, protective plastic gloves
- Used on: All plexiglass, lenses, and plastic surfaces
- Warranty: None
We’ll start our Turtle Wax headlight restorer review by saying that even though this kit is one of the best ones on the market, it’s still made for budget-buyers. Unfortunately, that means that it offers a bit less than others. However, it’s still clear that this is one of the top kits you can buy in this price range. Aside from its other qualities, it effectively clears the headlights and lets you put on a polish that provides long-lasting protection.
While compiling our Turtle Wax headlight restoration review, we noticed that the kit works almost as well as other, more expensive kits, proving that it’s one of the best-value kits on the market. The kit provides you with quality ceramic acrylic wipes and a simple polish that’s incredibly effective, as most Turtle Wax headlight restorer reviews have shown. As it easily deals with scratches, complicated oxidation, and swirl marks, it’s clear why the Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit is a favorite among budget buyers.
Pros
- + Clear and sparkling finish
- + Ideal for headlight maintenance
- + Pro results without a power tool
- + Great for long-term maintenance
Cons
- − Not many additional tools
Philips Headlight Restoration Kit
9.6
Fantastic for long-term UV protection
- Kit contents: Water-based pretreatment, cleaner/polish, shine restorer/preserver, two 600 grit sandpapers, two 1,500 grit sandpapers, two 2,000 grit sandpapers, paper towels, gloves
- Used on: Headlights, taillights, reflective lens covers, turn signal lights
- Warranty: None
Philips headlight restoration kit comes from one of the most popular brands in the industry and certainly the most popular brand overall on this entire list. This is one of the top headlight restoration kits out there as it includes three different headlight restoration spray solutions, but also because it provides you with excellent long-term results. The kit even gives you three different sandpapers, including the coarse 600 grit sandpaper that helps you really dig in and clean the lenses thoroughly. The best part is that the whole process takes about 30 minutes.
Of course, it should be noted that this is a one-time use kit, and you’re likely to use up all of the compounds by the end. Thankfully, as most headlight restore kit reviews have attested, including our own testing, one use is all that you’ll need. That’s because the whole application process, including the pretreatment solution, the cleaner, and the restorer, does a marvelous job, better than many other kits in the same price range.
Add to that the quality sandpapers and a carefully designed application process, and you are left with thoroughly cleaned headlights and an added UV protection that will last for the next two years. In short, Philips’s answer to all of those wondering do headlight restoration kits really work is a resounding “Yes.”
Pros
- + Long-term UV protection
- + Quality sandpapers and solutions
- + Application takes less than 30 mins
- + Works on different lenses
Cons
- − Not enough material for testing
Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit
9.4
Most popular easy-to-use kit
- Kit contents: Lubricant, restorer, sealant, three polishing pads, microfiber cloth
- Used on: Plastic headlights
- Warranty: Limited six-month warranty
The Rain-X headlight restoration kit is the simplest product of its kind you’ll ever find. It’s easier to apply than other kits with fewer accessories. The Rain-X has a restorer, lubricant, and sealant, and all of them need to be applied. Despite that, you can do it in no time with its simple instructions. Still, you have to do it carefully for it to work.
While testing the product for our Rain-X headlight restorer review, we noticed that the results come very fast, whereas with most other kits, you need to wait for a while, even if the cleaning process itself is quick. You can use the kit with your hands or on a power drill; it’s up to you. The important thing is that the Rain-X headlight restoration kit always provides a deeper clean, removes all impurities, yellowing, and even damaging scratches. On top of all of that, it provides long-lasting protection with its sealant, making it truly the best headlight restoration kit in 2021 for a wide range of people.
Some people have complained that it doesn’t work as well as advertised, but it seems that most of them haven’t been using it right, typically skipping a solution, not rubbing vigorously enough, or deciding not to use a drill when they should.
Pros
- + Three solutions for restoration
- + Highly improves visibility
- + Ideal for headlights and taillights
- + Works with most power tools
Cons
- − Strict adherence to instructions needed
Headlight Restore.US Headlight Restoration Kit
9.3
Perfect for plastic headlights
- Kit contents: Two cleaning wipes, finishing and coating UV protection wipe
- Used on: Plastic headlights
- Warranty: None
Do headlight restoration kits actually work? If you’re still not sure, you’ll be glad to know that they certainly do, even those that only consist of a few wipes. This is precisely what this kit includes, making it less effective on heavily scratched and dirty headlights. However, the kit focuses on simplicity, and it’s not intended for extremely foggy lights.
It is, however, intended for light damage and yellowing and is immensely effective in this regard, also providing lasting UV protection. You only need to clean the headlights with one set of wipes, let them dry, and then coat them with the remaining wipe. As every headlight restore wipes review on this product will tell you, the wipes do what they need to do, as they always properly clean dirty headlights while also finishing and coating the upper layer for improved UV protection. On top of that, they can achieve the same result on oxidized and discolored lights, all within reason, of course.
The kit is made for maintenance, so you don’t have to wonder how long does headlight restoration last with this product — it lasts long enough for a simple and easy-to-use maintenance product.
Pros
- + Scrubbing with wipes only
- + Ideal for quick maintenance
- + Lasting UV protection
- + Fixes light damage and yellowing
Cons
- − Not as useful on very foggy lights
Adam's Polishes Headlight Restoration Kit
9.7
Top new headlight restoration kit
- Kit contents: Four oxidation remover wipes, two coating wipes, sanding applicator, two 2,000 grit sandpapers, two 3,000 grit sandpapers, four gloves
- Used on: Severely damaged headlights
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for the best headlight restoration kit in Australia, the US, or some other country, this is probably the best newly released kit you can get. That’s because this pro headlight restoration kit includes everything you need to fully restore your severely damaged headlights.
It offers two different sets of wipes, one for oxidation removal and the other for proper coating. You also get two sets of sandpaper to truly dig in and fix the more serious damage. The only thing the set doesn’t have is a sealant, but the coating is enough to keep the headlights clean and safe for a long time, just as most headlight restoration kit reviews of this product can confirm.
Pros
- + Sandpapers work on all scratches
- + Removes yellowing, improves shine
- + Long-term UV protection coating
- + Ideal for oxidation
Cons
- − No protective coating sealant
How to Pick the Best Headlight Restoration Kit
— Buyer’s Guide —
The DIY market is a big one, and over 71% of DIYers choose quality over cost. However, if you decide to restore your headlights with a kit, that doesn’t mean you’ll be sacrificing quality. Instead, you only need to choose the best kit for what you need. To do that, there are a few simple things you need to know first.
The Price of the Best Headlight Restoration Kit
As always, you need to look at the price. Every dollar counts, especially when you consider that the average American spends $10,410 on their vehicles and transportation in general. However, the price doesn’t always clearly show what is the best headlight restoration kit, but it does enough. That’s because the price of a kit is often tied to what it does and how well it restores the lights.
Below $10
There are many great kits below the $10 mark, but these are rarely good against heavy discoloration and oxidation. They are primarily suited for simple issues and maintenance.
$10–$25
It all depends on the brand, but most great ones will offer very comprehensive kits that often come with several solutions for cleaning, restoration, coating, and long-term UV protection. You’ll often get accessories as well. But what headlight restoration kit works best in this price range? Most buyers will find that all of them do a great job.
Over $25
Everything above $25 will simply do the best job possible. That’s because the best headlight restoration kit is made for professionals and practically always requires the use of power tools to do the job right. But once you do it, you won’t have to worry about your headlights for a long time.
Single- and Multi-Step Products
Many kits are made to do the job in a single step, but these rarely do the job you need the best headlight restoration kits to do. They only use a cleaning solution, so you can only clean the headlights without properly restoring them and preparing them for the future. That’s why we only recommend multi-step products that let you do everything needed for proper headlight restoration.
Power Tools or No Power Tools?
Many kits don’t use power tools, but some do, as they require you to use their rough sandpaper that works best with a power tool. So, what headlight restoration kit works best? The ones that require power tools or those that don’t? In most cases, those with power tools are the only ones able to do the best job imaginable. That’s especially true if the damage is intense. However, if your headlights are slightly damaged, you probably won’t need power tools. Sometimes, sandpaper used with hands is enough, and in some cases, even wipes can do the trick. It all depends on the level of discoloration, oxidation, and damage.
On Which Type of Lens Are They Used?
As you’ll see in every headlight restoration kit review we’ve made, each is used on specific lenses, so you need to take that into consideration as well. Some work only on plastic, while others can work on many other types as well.
UV Protection
Many headlight restoration kits use UV blockers in addition to the other compounds. These blockers are great for keeping the headlights clear for a much longer time. So, if you want to do less maintenance, you should consider these above others.
FAQ
Do headlight restoration kits really work?
The kits do work as long as they contain the proper accessories and restoration solutions. One of the most important ingredients in a headlight restoration kit is the sandpaper that can really dig in and remove all the stains. Besides that, it’s also vital that the kit can help you reapply the protective layer to ensure the lights don’t get damaged on their own as soon as you start driving again. It’s also essential to stick to the instructions if you want the advertised results and that you don’t end up damaging your headlights.
Does headlight restoration last?
Yes, it does. In general, most of the kits we recommend provide results that last anywhere between ten months and three years. This sizable difference in how long the fully restored headlights last depends on numerous factors. Your headlights’ cleanliness is affected by the environmental conditions, the type of lens your car has, and how well you maintain your vehicle. However, it also depends on how well you’ve used the kit.
Which headlight restoration kit works best?
As is always the case, it really depends on a wide range of factors and especially on what you’re looking for. We’ve made sure to include a wide range of different restoration kits as we know that buyers are looking for different things. Some want perfect results and don’t care about the price, others are looking for value, and some want to spend as little as possible. So, based on the things you want, one of the restoration kits on our list is bound to be the best for you.
How long do headlight restoration kits last?
Most headlight restoration kits have long shelf dates as they use formulas that last for a long time. Also, you won’t have to worry about them as they are meant to be used a few times only, and by the time you use them for the last time, the expiry date will likely be a long way off.
How do professionals restore headlights?
As most headlight lens restorer reviews and guides will tell you, most professionals use the same methods as many of the kits you get to buy do. They use power tools and sandpaper to scrape off the dirt, discoloration, and damage from the headlights. Then they polish the lenses before ending the process by applying a clear coat to preserve and protect the finish. As you’ve probably seen from almost every headlight restoration kit review in this guide, the kits allow you to do the same thing. Some don’t require the use of power tools, but the rest is pretty much the same. In other words, you can do the same thing professionals do on your own.
The Bottom Line
All in all, the best headlight restoration kit can genuinely help you adequately treat, clean, and restore your headlights to their former glory. Every kit on this list does a great job, each in its own unique way — with power tools or without, and by using a different number and types of sandpaper and solutions. The goal they achieve is the same, and it’s up to you to choose the one that offers the best solution you need.
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Nemanja Petkovic
A driven content specialist and copywriter, Nemanja takes pride in the fact that he was among the first to find success as a content writer in his hometown of Nis, Serbia. Now, many years later, writing is his profession and calling—something he loves and will never stop doing. By regularly following the trends in SEO and content marketing, writing every day on a variety of topics, he consistently strives for improvement and new challenges—never failing to provide top-quality content for his readers.