How to polish yellowish headlights on a vehicle

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Are you having trouble with your vehicle's headlights to see on a dark road? That yellowish color on the headlights is polycarbonate or plastic rust. Read the steps below to learn two methods to help bring your old headlights back to life.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using a Headlight Optic Restorer

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 1

Step 1. Go to the auto parts store and buy a headlight optic restorer

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 2

Step 2. Wash the headlights and then dry them

You must do it in the shade.

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 3

Step 3. Apply the restorative in small amounts with a cotton towel and make deep circular movements on small parts of the optics

It should dry out as you do it.
Repeat the process in the same place until it dries. Use the clean part of a towel to remove the rest of the compound.

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 4

Step 4. If you are satisfied with the results, repeat the process for all the headlights

Remember to work on small areas.

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 5

Step 5. If you are not satisfied with the results, try the next method

Method 2 of 2: Sandpaper and Clear Coat Spray Paint

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 6

Step 1. Get the necessary items

Method two requires: wet and dry sandpaper (800 to 1500 thick), a spray bottle with clean water, dry cotton towels, and a clear coat spray paint for UV protection.

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 7

Step 2. Wash the headlights

When they are clean, spray the 800 sandpaper with water and make gentle circular movements on one of the optics. Sandpaper must be wet at all times. Spray the optics to clean the area.

Brighten Your Car's Yellowing Headlights Step 8

Step 3. Repeat the process on the same lens with the 1500 grit sandpaper

Wash the optics and let them dry. It will look even worse than before. Once it dries completely, spray a thin coat of the spray paint according to the directions on the bottle. Remember to cover the vehicle's paint and all areas that can be stained with the spray. When the spray paint dries, you can compare the polished optics with the other. People say you have to stick with the other lens, but this is your chance to compare and decide if you want to replace or fix it. You will be able to take pride in yourself and show your loved ones your new skill and the difference you made in optics.

Advice

Wear a protective mask when using spray paint.
Do not do it on windy days or in the sun.
Allow the clear paint to dry overnight before driving in the rain or taking the vehicle to a car wash.
Cover everything around the work area to avoid exposing it to spray paint.