Use a headlight restoration kit

Pick up a headlight restoration kit from brands like 3M, Sylvania, or Meguiar's. These kits include progressively finer abrasives, polishing compound, and a UV sealant to remove oxidation and restore lens clarity in under an hour.

Steps

1. Wash and dry the headlight lenses thoroughly.
2. Mask off the surrounding paint with painter's tape to prevent scratching.
3. Wet-sand the lens starting with the coarsest grit included, keeping the surface wet. Progress through each finer grit, rinsing between steps.
4. Apply the polishing compound to a cloth or pad and buff the lens until haze is removed.
5. Apply the UV protective sealant included in the kit to prevent re-clouding.

Tips

• The UV sealant step is critical — skipping it means the haze returns within weeks
• A drill-mounted polishing pad speeds up step 4 significantly
• Work in the shade to prevent compounds from drying too fast on the lens