Why headlights go foggy — and what actually fixes it
Foggy headlights make a clean car look tired, and they cut how far down the road you can actually see at night. The good news is it's one of the cheapest things on a car to fix properly — and one of the easiest to fix badly.
What's actually happening
Modern headlights are polycarbonate, not glass. From the factory they carry a thin UV-protective coating. Sun, heat and salt air break that coating down over a few years, and once it's gone the plastic underneath starts oxidising — that's the yellow haze. In Queensland, and especially near the coast, it happens faster than the manufacturer ever planned for.
Why the $25 kit comes back
Those kits sand and polish the oxidised layer off, which genuinely works — for a while. The problem is what they leave behind: bare, unprotected polycarbonate with no UV barrier at all. It looks brilliant for a few months, then hazes back worse than before, because you've stripped the last of the factory protection off it.
What a proper job involves
Wet sanding through progressive grits to cut the oxidation right back, a machine polish to bring the clarity up, then — the part that matters — sealing it with a proper two-pack clear coat. That's the same hardened, UV-stable system used on automotive paint. It's what stops the haze coming back, and it's the difference between a fix and a delay.
What it costs
$99 per light, done at your home or work. No photo needed for a quote — headlights are a flat price. Most are done inside the hour, and if I'm already there doing a wheel it's the easiest add-on there is.
Common questions
How much is headlight restoration?
$99 per light, done at your driveway. It's a flat price — no quote or photo needed.
How long does headlight restoration last?
Sealed with a proper two-pack clear coat, years. Polish-only jobs and DIY kits typically haze back within six to twelve months because there's no UV protection left.
Can foggy headlights fail a roadworthy?
Badly hazed or yellowed lenses that cut light output can absolutely be picked up on a safety inspection. It's worth sorting before you book one.
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