How long does headlight restoration last?
Anywhere from three months to several years. The variable is almost entirely what goes on top.
"Headlight restoration" covers two quite different jobs. They look identical the day they are finished. A year later they do not.
The polish-only job
Sand and polish a lens and it will be genuinely clear. It will also be bare. Whatever UV layer was left has just been sanded away with the damage. In strong sun the haze is often back in three to six months. This is what most cheap restorations and every store-bought kit are selling.
The sealed job
Add a decent UV sealant and you buy about a year. Fine if you are selling the car soon. Not much use otherwise.
The coated job
A cured ceramic coating is a different thing altogether. It is a hard, UV-stable layer bonded into the lens, not a film sitting on top of one. We guarantee three years and usually get more.
What shortens any of them
- Parking outdoors, facing south. The single largest factor.
- Automatic washes with harsh detergents. These strip sealants quickly.
- Abrasive polishes applied later. A "quick buff" removes the coating you paid for.
- Insufficient sanding depth. If oxidation is left behind under the coating, it keeps spreading.
If a quote does not say what protection goes on top, ask before you book. It is the only question that decides how long the work lasts.
Other questions worth answering
Book a time that suits you
Pick a slot and we will come to you anywhere in Orange County, California. Most jobs take about ninety minutes. If it turns out your lenses cannot be saved, we will tell you before we start and you will not pay anything.