As time goes on, many grow accustomed to certain areas aging on your vehicle. One part of the vehicle that is commonly left unmaintained is the headlights. The headlights through time will lose their clear appearance causing the vehicle to look older. This is more important than many may think as this discoloration on the headlights is followed by reduced visual assistance at night. Restoring a headlight can be done if the individual restoring it has the proper materials and knowledge of how it works. As windshield repair & replacement professionals in San Antonio and experts in auto glass industry, we decided to offer a stand-alone or add-on headlight cleaning & restoration service.
Headlight Restoration San Antonio
Professional Headlight Lens Cleaning and Restoration
Why Choose Our Headlight Restoration Service
How Much Does a Headlight Restoration Cost in San Antonio?
A headlight restoration cost in Omni Auto Glass starts from $80, depending on the severity of the damage and the type of vehicle. Headlight restoration can be done by a professional detailer, auto glass shop, body shop, or car dealership, or it can be done at home with a headlight restoration kit.
The severity of the damage will determine the cost of the headlamp restoration. If the damage is just surface level, then the cost will be on the lower end. If the damage is more severe, then the cost will be higher.
How Do Professionals Restore and Clean Headlights?
Headlights are essential for safe driving, but over time, they can become hazy, cloudy, or yellowed due to UV exposure, dirt, and road grime. A professional headlight restoration process is a highly effective way to improve visibility and restore the original look of the headlights. Here’s how professionals approach this task.
Inspection and Assessment
Initial Inspection: Before beginning, professionals inspect the headlights to determine the extent of damage and the best approach for restoration.
Type of Lens: Whether the headlights are made of plastic, glass, or polycarbonate affects the cleaning technique.
Cleaning & Preparation
Cleaning: A thorough cleaning is done using soap and water to remove surface-level dirt and debris.
Masking: The area around the headlights is masked off with tape to protect the vehicle’s paint.
Sanding Process
Coarse Sanding: A low-grit sandpaper (e.g., 600-grit) is used to remove the outer, damaged layer of the headlight.
Intermediate Sanding: The professional moves to medium-grit sandpaper (e.g., 1000 or 1500-grit) when sanding headlights for a smoother finish.
Fine Sanding: A high-grit sandpaper (e.g., 2000 or 3000-grit) is used for the final sanding to prepare the surface for polishing.
Polishing
Compound Application: A polishing compound is applied to the lens.
Buffing: A rotary buffer or drill with a buffing pad is used to buff the lens, restoring its clarity.
Sealing
UV Sealant: A UV-resistant sealant is applied to protect the car headlamp from future damage and yellowing.
Drying Time: The sealant is allowed to dry according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Final Inspection
Quality Check: A final inspection ensures that the headlight lenses have regained their original clarity and are free from any imperfections.
Functionality Test: Light output and alignment are checked to make sure the restoration process was successful.
Maintenance Tips
Professionals often recommend using automotive wax or another UV protectant every few months to maintain the clarity of the headlights.
Professional headlight restoration is a meticulous process that not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of a vehicle but also improves road safety by restoring the maximum light output. Choose a trusted headlight restoration professional in San Antonio like Omni Auto Glass for the best results. Contact us to request a quote.
How To Clean & Remove Heavy Oxidation From Headlights?
If your car’s headlight lenses are looking dull, yellowed, or just generally old, you may be wondering how to remove heavy oxidation from them. Headlight oxidation is caused by a build-up of UV rays, road debris, and other environmental factors, and it can make your headlights look cloudy and significantly reduce their brightness.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to remove heavy oxidation from headlight lenses, and in most cases, you can do it yourself at home with some basic supplies.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to restore and clean your headlights to make it look like new again:
- Start by washing your headlights with soap and water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Next, use a headlight restoration kit to sand away the top layer of oxidation. These restoration kits usually come with sandpaper of varying grits, so start with coarse grit and work your way up to a finer one.
- Once you’ve sanded away the majority of the oxidation, use a headlight polish to buff out any remaining haze.
- Finally, apply a headlight sealant to protect your lights from future oxidation.
If your headlight lenses are severely oxidized, you may need to repeat steps 2-4 a few times before you get a clean headlight or see the desired results. But with a little patience and elbow grease, you should be able to restore your headlights to their original clarity.
Headlight Restoration – FAQs
Headlight restoration is typically done by first sanding the headlight lens to remove the yellowed or hazed outer layer. This exposes the clear plastic underneath. Next, a polishing compound is used to buff out the headlight and restore it to its original clarity.
It is typically recommended to restore your headlights every few years. However, this will vary depending on the amount of driving you do and the conditions of your headlights. If you notice your headlights are looking dull or yellowed, then it is probably time for a restoration.
Headlight restoration in San Antonio have several benefits. First, it will improve your visibility while driving at night. Second, it will make your car look newer and more well-kept. Finally, it can help to increase the resale value of your car.
There are a few risks to DIY headlight restoration, but they are typically minor. First, if you do not follow the directions properly, you could damage your headlights. Second, if you do not apply the clear coat correctly, you could end up with a hazy headlight.
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Please fill out the form below and we will contact you with a quote. If you require more immediate assistance, please call (210) 892-2229