Best Headlight Restoration Kits

• Cost: $20
• Amazon review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (Approximately 23,000 ratings)
• What’s in the box: Comes with surface activator, clarifying compound, UV-blocking clear coat, three sheets of waterproof sandpaper, three applicator cloths, and one vinyl glove
• UV protection
• Lifetime warranty

Known primarily for its automotive lighting parts, Sylvania also sells products that can help restore your existing headlight lenses. The Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit has a three-step process that produces some of the best results in terms of clarity, proving it can tackle heavy-duty yellowing. This is why we’ve chosen it as the overall best headlight restoration kit.

Below is how the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit performed during our testing:

When using the Sylvania product, the first step is to spray on the surface activator to soften the plastic. Then, you sand off the initial clear coat and apply a polishing compound. The last step is to rub on a UV blocker that will prevent future sun damage.

Sylvania is so confident in its product that it offers a lifetime warranty, which is a nice perk for a headlight restoration kit that’s so cheap. Below are the pros and cons of the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit:

In terms of improving clarity, Sylvania was hands down the most effective of the headlight restoration kits we tested. The instructions were simply laid out and the liquid compounds had Step One and Step Two written on the bottle, so figuring out the process was a breeze.

The product utilizes wet sanding and calls for the sanding process to be done by hand, which can be more time-consuming than a drill-oriented kit. We also found that Sylvania isn’t as generous with materials as other manufacturers. Our kit only provided enough materials to restore two headlights, whereas other manufacturers included enough materials to tackle several cars.

Positive customer reviews mention benefits such as an easy application process and longevity of results, but some buyers report difficulty with customer service when trying to use the lifetime warranty.

• Cost: $20
• Amazon review score: 4.2 out of 5.0 stars (Approximately 9,700 ratings)
• What’s in the box: Comes with a disc-holder drill attachment, three restoration discs, a foam polishing ball, and a polishing solution
• Can tackle a high level of oxidation
• Works with a power drill for easy application

Another name with some brand power behind it, the Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit aims for high-quality results and a leisurely restoration process. This earns it a spot on our list of the best headlight cleaners.

The kit includes a drill attachment, coarse restoration discs, a foam ball polish applicator, and a bottle of polish. The instructions call for a mix of dry sanding and wet sanding, so you’ll want to double-check as you move through the cleaning process. The only items you’ll need to supply are painter’s tape, gloves, and a microfiber towel to dry your newly shined headlights.

Below is how the Mothers headlight restoration kit faired under testing conditions:

If you only have light oxidation on your headlamps, you may only need to apply the polish. However, for light scratches, debris buildup, or pitting, the Mothers NuLens kit still gets the job done. Below are the pros and cons of the Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit:

Similar to the Sylvania restorer kit, Mothers NuLens did an excellent job in repairing our sun-damaged headlight lenses. Where this brand excels is instruction clarity and volume of materials, since we probably could have taken on a few more headlights after our first batch.

Two roadblocks kept the Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit from being our best headlight restoration kit: The drill attachment system isn’t for everyone, and the manufacturer doesn’t explicitly say the product protects against UV rays. So while the results are good, clear headlights months or years down the road are not guaranteed.

According to most users, results are fantastic when they follow the instructions. However, some users say Mothers NuLens doesn’t go beyond the level of quality offered by competing brands.

• Cost: $20
• Amazon review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (Approximately 41,000 ratings)
• What’s in the box: Comes with a disc-holder drill attachment, three sanding discs, a foam buffing disc, and a buffing solution
• Works with a power drill for easy application
• Simple step-by-step instructions
• Plenty of materials for up to two applications

The 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System offers visible results at a competitive price. What you get out of the box is a power-drill attachable system that includes a disc holder, 500-, 800-, and 3,000-grit sanding pads, a foam buffing pad, and a buffing solution.

Like the Sylvania kit, the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System lays out a three-step process during which you sand down the grit on your headlights using a series of coarse Trizact™ discs. One video reviewer goes so far as to call the sanding pads “magical” for the way they remove debris.

You can see how the 3M Headlight Restoration Kit performed in each of our testing categories below:

Since the kit is drill-based, you can expect it to take less time than hand-buffing, although total work time will depend on the cloudiness of your headlamps. If you want to get into hard-to-reach areas, you can also use the sanding discs by hand.

One important note is that although the manufacturer does offer it separately, no coating to protect against future UV damage comes with the 3M headlight restoration kit. So, you may end up using the 3M kit more often. Below are the pros and cons of the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System:

Our review team’s results with the 3M headlight restoration kit were comparable to our results with the Mothers NuLens brand. Again, instructions were clearly labeled and simple, but material quality placed 3M lower on our list.

Some of the sanding discs we received were poorly cut. This didn’t impact performance, but at times it was difficult to determine the grit of a certain disc because the clarifying number had been cut off. We also ranked this product lower because it only polishes headlights and lacks a UV protective coating.

Customers applaud the value, quality results, and simple instructions. Many reviews claim the 3M kit was able to cut through heavily oxidized headlamps. However, some users of this product also say the results may not outshine those of competitors. We also found complaints about a lack of a UV protective coating.

• Cost: $15
• Amazon review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars (Approximately 31,000 ratings)
• What’s in the box: Comes with oxidation remover wipes, surface prep pad and discs, and pre-moistened ceramic coating wipes
• Can tackle advanced oxidation
• Plenty of materials for later applications if needed
• Limited lifetime warranty

Cerakote offers the best headlight restoration kit if you’re looking for a ceramic coating that not only protects from UV light but can also restore light output on highly oxidized headlamps.

The Cerakote Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit uses a three-step process that begins with an oxidation removal wipe. Sanding comes next, and finally, after washing and drying your headlamp, you’ll wipe on a durable ceramic coating to protect your car long-term.

Below is our assessment of how the Cerakote restoration kit performed during testing:

Unlike a few of the other multistep systems on this list, the sanding pads in this kit don’t attach to a power drill, so you’ll have to use a little elbow grease for a high-shine outcome. However, it’s a great product for someone who enjoys the hands-on experience and time of a DIY project. Below are the pros and cons of the Cerakote Ceramic Kit:

Cerakote did well restoring one of the foggiest headlights we threw at it. Similar to the Sylvania packaging, each step of the process is clearly labeled, and the kit even comes with two gloves (other kits typically include only one).

While the Cerakote did its job, it didn’t necessarily perform any better than any of the drill attachment kits or outperform the Sylvania kit. The plus side is that Cerakote includes plenty of materials if you’re willing to try a ceramic coating on more than one car.

Customers mention being pleased with the product’s ease of use and great value. One complaint we found during research was that the quality of the sandpaper was insufficient. Others said this didn’t perform as well as competitors. Additionally, some say the ceramic coating doesn’t provide much clarity.

• Cost: $20
• Amazon review score: 4.4 out of 5.0 stars (Approximately 8,300 ratings)
• Works on headlights and taillights
• Sanding is optional
• Can be used with drills and other restoration kits

Geared toward the car owner who wants an all-in-one option that works either by power tool or elbow grease, the Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer offers simplicity and customization with materials you trust.

After washing and taping off your headlight lenses, you can apply the restorer to any microfiber cloth and start rubbing it onto the headlight. This process can take several minutes depending on the amount of oxidation you have.

After the initial scrubbing, clean the headlamp and reapply the compound to polish. You can repeat this process until you achieve the desired level of clarity. Chemical Guys also recommends that customers use 2,500-grit sandpaper if there’s severe discoloration.

Here is our take on the Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer’s performance:

While the compound offers terrific results, you’re probably paying more overall for essentials such as microfiber cloths and sandpaper if you don’t already have them lying around. But, if you already have these materials and need a new polish and sealant option, the Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer might be the best headlight restoration kit for you. Below are the pros and cons of the Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer:

As the most stripped-down option we profiled, the Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer lets customers choose how much effort they want to put into the headlight restoration process. For our review, we used the restoration liquid in its most basic form and applied it with foam pads.

Chemical Guys says you can also pair its product with sanding pads and a drill, but those components aren’t required.

After we applied a few dabs to a polishing pad and thoroughly scrubbed away at headlight lenses, it became clear that if you choose to do this by hand, it will take several tries with the

Chemical Guys compound to achieve noticeable results. We completed three passes and managed to lift much of the cloudiness.

That said, finishing two headlights took almost an hour. Other options on our list included more materials, and we managed to finish the job in less than 15 minutes. However, if you want a single-step headlight restorer, Chemical Guys is hard to pass up.

Consumers really enjoy how easy the Chemical Guys Headlight Restorer is to use, and they appreciate the amount of product you get for your money. Those critical of the product report less-than-satisfactory results, with fogginess returning to their headlights sooner than expected.