Headlight restoration. Cloudy → clear.
Headlight restoration is the wet-sand + machine-polish + UV sealant process that clears cloudy or yellowed plastic headlight lenses. Single-day service. $120 standalone, $75 as an add-on to any detail service. Mobile or shop, same rate. Optional PPF over-coat available as a more durable long-term protection.
Pricing
Four tiers (Medium through XXL). Compact vehicles fold into Complete Detail pricing.
| Tier | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone | $120 | ~1-2 hours labor |
| Add-on to any detail | $75 add-on | Add 1 hour to base appointment |
In every Headlight Restoration
- Masking around the headlight to protect surrounding paint
- Wet-sanding with progressively finer grits to remove oxidation layer
- Machine polish to restore optical clarity
- UV-blocking sealant on the cleared lens (without sealant, oxidation returns in 6-12 months)
- Both headlights treated (price covers a pair)
What this isn't
- Cracked or broken lenses — outside the scope of restoration (referral to body shop)
- Internal lens fogging (moisture inside the headlight housing) — that's a seal failure, not surface oxidation
- Tail-light restoration — same process can be applied; quoted separately if you want it
Common pairings
Add at booking or any time before the appointment.
How a Headlight Restoration runs
Tape off surrounding paint
Headlights are sanded mechanically — the surrounding paint needs full masking to avoid sanding-mark damage.
Progressive grits remove oxidation
~800 → 1000 → 1500 → 2000+ grit wet-sand progression. Each grit removes the marks of the previous one. Removes the oxidation layer entirely.
Machine polish to restore clarity
Compound + foam pad machine polish brings the lens back to optical clarity. Two-step polish on more degraded lenses.
UV sealant locks the result in
UV-blocking sealant on the cleared lens. Without the sealant, oxidation returns in 6-12 months. With it, you get 1-2 years before needing a touch-up.
Headlight Restoration FAQ
How long does headlight restoration last?
1-2 years with our UV sealant — depends on how much sun the car sits in. Garage-kept cars get the upper end; outdoor-parked cars in inland Bay Area sun (Concord, Livermore, Brentwood) get the lower end. STEK PPF over-coat extends life significantly — film handles UV directly, lens stays clear long-term.
Standalone vs add-on?
$120 standalone (we come out / you drop off, headlights only). $75 add-on if booked alongside any other detail service (we're already on the car). Same work either way.
Will it work on severely yellowed lenses?
Most cases yes. Severe yellowing that's gone fully into the lens material (vs just surface oxidation) sometimes can't be fully corrected — we test on one lens first and tell you what to expect before doing both.
PPF over-coat — worth it?
If you're paying for restoration anyway and want it to last 5+ years instead of 1-2, yes. $80 add-on for the PPF over both headlights, lifetime UV protection on the lens. Most clients who restore + PPF do not need to redo the work.
Mobile or shop?
Same rate. Mobile if you're booking it as an add-on to a mobile detail; shop if standalone or booked alongside other shop work (PPF, ceramic).
Add PPF for long-term protection.
UV sealant lasts 1-2 years. STEK PPF over the restored lens lasts 5+ years and handles rock chips on top — $80 add-on per headlight pair when booked with restoration. The PPF over-coat is the answer if you don't want to redo this every couple years.