How to stop headlights yellowing ?

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1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#318552 28-Jan-2025 21:36

Hi . I read that headlights should be protected from UV to stop them yellowing/cracking .

But how. Is there a product for this ?
Will the heat from the bulbs affect anything I put on the lenses ? ie some sort of car paint protection product

Cheers

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#3336800 28-Jan-2025 22:08

Keeping it garaged when not used. Even a 15 year old vehicle I had never went yellow, despite seeing many of the same cars of similar age with yellowed headlights

Scott3

3963 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3336820 28-Jan-2025 23:12

I used this one.

In short you clean (almost sand) the headlight with a fairly harsh abrasive, then you mask up the surrounding area and spray on a few coats.

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/meguiars-meguiars-two-step-headlight-restoration-kit/546741.html?cgid=SCN01010503#srsltid=AfmBOopmPcGk_uCM_ZiSm3wfoPbaRU7lbfYPMPVBWGyAQFN79RgnrfA3&start=10

Kind of expensive, but it did three car's.

I wouldn't do anything pre-emptively, but if your lights are becoming foggy, this approach lasts way longer than just polishing.

mudguard

2113 posts

Uber Geek

#3336849 29-Jan-2025 06:26

mattwnz:

Keeping it garaged when not used. Even a 15 year old vehicle I had never went yellow, despite seeing many of the same cars of similar age with yellowed headlights

Can depend on the exact car. I have an old Civic, the NZ New versions got glass head lights, the Japanese imports had plastic, so they would yellow quite quickly.

You can rub JIF on them or Meguirs Plastic X which is what I use.

But obviously avoiding UV helps

johno1234

2793 posts

Uber Geek

#3336862 29-Jan-2025 08:43

I don't think there's much you can do apart from avoiding the sun, and re-polishing periodically when they become dulled.

Our dear old Landcruiser has had it's headlights polished three times now. I did the first one which worked perfectly. After a few years it became dull again and I had another go at it and it didn't really work so I had a panel beater do it which didn't cost much and they're back to looking brand new again.

I don't think those coatings are capable of keeping NZ level UV out.