Headlight Restoration in San Francisco
Yellowed, hazy lenses sanded, polished, and re-protected against UV.
Headlight lenses are polycarbonate with a factory UV coating. Over years that coating breaks down, and the plastic underneath oxidizes into a yellow haze that scatters light instead of projecting it.
That matters more here than in most places. Driving through fog on 19th Avenue or Sunset Boulevard at night with hazy lenses meaningfully reduces how far you can see.
Process
The lens is masked off, wet-sanded through progressive grits to remove the failed coating and oxidation, then machine-polished back to clarity. The critical final step is applying a new UV-resistant protective layer.
Restoration without a new protective layer looks great for a few months and then yellows again faster than before, because the raw plastic is now fully exposed.
When restoration is not enough
If the haze is on the inside of the lens, or the housing has cracked and is letting moisture in, restoration will not help. Those need replacement, and we will say so after inspection.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it last?
With a proper UV protective layer, typically one to three years depending on sun exposure and where the car parks.
How long does the service take?
Usually about an hour to ninety minutes for a pair.