Foggy, yellow headlights are one of the fastest ways a car starts to look old — and they can seriously cut your light output at night. The good news: in most cases you don't need new headlights.
What professional restoration costs
Professional headlight restoration usually costs far less than replacement. With MD Detailing it's $75, done at your home or office anywhere in NYC. See the headlight restoration service.
What replacement costs
New headlight assemblies commonly run several hundred dollars per side for many cars, and well over $1,000 per side for many LED, matrix or adaptive units — plus installation. Replacement makes sense when the housing is cracked, broken, or has moisture inside.
DIY kits: do they work?
Store-bought kits can improve mild haze. The common problems: uneven sanding, leftover scratches, and skipping a proper protective layer — which is why many DIY results turn yellow again within months. Professional restoration uses machine polishing and a protective coat for a more even, longer-lasting finish.
Why headlights yellow in the first place
Lenses are polycarbonate plastic with a factory UV coating. Sun, salt and harsh chemicals wear it off, and the exposed plastic oxidizes. Street-parked cars in NYC see a lot of all three.
When to do it
- You notice weaker light at night
- Before selling a car or returning a lease
- Along with an exterior detail — the car looks noticeably younger