How We Restore Clarity

The process of restoring a headlight is actually dependent on removing the damaged layer of outer plastic. So a bit less of restoring, and more about delicate destruction. This requires a high level of sanding and must be done evenly across the entire surface of the plastic to remove only the tiniest possible layer of uneven and oxidized plastic. Sanding causes the plastic to rapidly change temperature, so Detailing Wizards regulates the temperature during the process of sanding.

Sanding - Removes oxidation and imperfections in deep layers of the headlight’s plastic exterior
Polishing - Smooths the surface of the headlight to allow light to form correctly through the plastic and retain full brightness and clarity
Sealing - Fills in micro details to increase light performance and protect the headlight against harsh environmental elements for longer lasting high quality performance

Before

After

What is a headlight Restoration

A headlight restoration focuses on restoring a headlight's ability to emit a strong and correctly focused beam of light to illuminate the road as well as alerting other drivers of someone's presence.

Having trouble seeing the treeline at night?

A headlight restoration may be needed if someone is having trouble distinguishing and understanding the night environment. Having more trouble seeing the treeline? Maybe it's becoming harder to even see the road or signs gradually? Perhaps there's a noticeable dark spot on the road that wasn't there before? Upon looking at the headlight, it may become apparent that it's hazier and harder to see through than when it was new. In many cases, it picks up a yellow color.

Reduced light output becomes seriously dangerous at night or in rainy, snowy, or foggy weather
A new headlight is very expensive since it typically requires replacing the entire unit even if the light is perfectly functional
Beautiful and expensive cars deserve to have beautiful headlights that last for the entire age of the car

An old or hazy headlight blocks the light being emitted by upwards of 80% which significantly reduces visibility. When a headlight is exposed to UV rays, salt, sand, rocks, and other everyday environmental conditions, the clearcoating fades away and the plastic begins to roughen on the surface causing the hazy effect. Once exposed to enough oxygen and UV, the color changes and further reduces visibility.

The entire process takes precision, expertise, skill, and hard work, but it results in a headlight that is as clear as how it came from the factory while remaining protected for a much longer time.

Message of transparency

So why the transparency? We assume our customers are looking for perfection across the board. We consider that different people are in different situations. They may have time to work on their car, but not the experience, tools, etc. They may have the skillset, but just not the time or convenience needed. They may prefer someone else to do the work. They may prefer to do everything on their own. To all of those people, our transparency offers them the chance to understand the depth of our process and to learn about the quality and value we provide as well as enabling them to make a choice for themselves based on more relevant information. Simply, we have nothing to hide behind. Proper high quality work is difficult and requires a high level of experience to achieve our standards. By stating our standards clearly every step of the way, customers can know exactly what to expect. We believe in fairness, transparency, and proudly showing how we stand out and living by our promise of hard, high quality work. We'll never take shortcuts at our customer's expense

Pricing

Our headlight restoration is priced based on the level of severity of the headlight's degradation, size, and complexity. This ranges from $150-$200 for a pair of headlights.

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See our detailed process

Sanding

Detailing Wizards wet sands the outer layer of plastic away. Once oxidation is removed, we refine the surface using 3M Trizact foam sanding discs in a progressive grit sequence. I choose 3M Trizact foam sanding discs in a progressive grit sequence because they provide a level of control, consistency, and optical clarity that regular sanding discs simply can't match. Trizact uses a uniform, micron graded abrasive structure that cuts evenly and predictably, while the foam backing conforms to the curves of headlight lenses and reduces pressure on edges, preventing deep, uneven scratches. I start with 1000 grit only where oxidation runs deep, carefully removing just the damaged material and nothing more. The 1500 grit then averages the surface, removing the 1000-grit marks and creating a uniform scratch profile across the lens. The 3000 grit step is critical for optical clarity, reducing scratches to a micron level so light passes cleanly through the plastic instead of scattering and causing haze. This process reduces sanding time, minimizes heat buildup in the polycarbonate, improves polishability, and creates a surface that allows sealants to bond more effectively, resulting in a clearer finish and a longer-lasting headlight restoration than traditional sanding methods.

1000 grit – Some of the oxidation runs deep, and this level is done carefully to reach only exactly how deep is absolutely required
1500 grit – This level averages the depth across the surface more and removes sanding marks from 1000-grit and smooths the surface
3000 grit – This level is crucial to ensure that light is not being scattered across the surface of the plastic, leaving a hazy finish, or building heat.

While sanding, we use an extra layer of tape to protect the paint from any slight nicks. If using a single layer of tape, there is more opportunity to sand through the tape and damage the clearcoat or paint. For the sake of taking absolutely no risks, we use the extra layer to eliminate the possibility of accidental damage.

Sanding must be performed very carefully to ensure that light output is being restored back to its original output and clarity. Once something is sanded, it cannot be unsanded, so Detailing Wizards pays very close attention to assuring the layer is perfectly even and not discolored.

We use both 3-inch discs for primary surfaces. Then we use 1-inch discs for edges, corners, and tight convexed contours. This step is highly critical since uneven sanding or even a lack of proper grit can easily cause even worse light output.

Polishing (super super fine sanding)

After sanding is complete, we apply a compound and polish to the lens using a rotary polisher. We use a wool pad initially to work the compound into the lens and refine the surface further. Then we use a foam polishing pad to finish and bring out optical clarity. This process removes any remaining very fine scratches and brings back the shine to the plastic. After compounding and polishing, we wipe down the lens with a clean microfiber towel to remove any compound residue.

Protection

After polishing, we apply a UV protective coating to seal the headlight and protect it from UV rays, oxidation, and environmental fallout. We use a ceramic coating to provide long-lasting protection. We apply in a controlled environment free of dust and debris to ensure a clean, even application. The coating bonds to the plastic and creates a barrier against UV damage, keeping the headlight clear for years to come.

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