SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit, Restores to Like-New Condition

When I ordered this restoration kit, I was skeptical, to say the least. Between the time I ordered it and it arrived, I watched videos on YouTube about the basic use of it and how other systems worked. Even so, I didn't expect the end result. This neat little kit has almost everything you need to get started on your headlights. The missing item is water, which can be free or you can purchase it. It takes very little effort do restore a headlight, and only twice as much for two. At the time, I have lateral epicondylitis which limits my ability to use my arm as well as I would like. Even so, it was no problem. This isn't hard work by any definition. The steps are pretty straight forward and simple. If you can apply wax to a car, you can do this. The chemical activator sprays on and then rinses off. After this, you do some very light sanding and then apply a polish/buffing substance before spraying it again and rinsing it. At this point, it looks hazy. The last step is to apply a sealant to the headlight. This step is really wild. The haze disappears and you're left with a clear lens that only needs to dry. Basically, if you can spray a pump aerosol bottle, apply and remove car wax, and then wipe the sealant/protector on with a soaked cloth (provided), you're good. The result? Wow. I started with two 10 year old headlight lenses that were horrible. I didn't think they would pass inspection and they ruined the look of the vehicle. They actually looked better, halfway through, with the lens sanded and hazy. When I completed the last step, wiping on the sealant that has to dry for four (4) hours, I was amazed. They actually looked like I had spent $200 for a new pair of headlight lenses. They were crystal clear. After they dried for several hours, they still looked amazing. The only difference, and it was 100% my fault, is that there were very, very fine scratches on the lens that I didn't get out in the later sanding stages. Now, mind you, you can only see them if you hold the lens a certain way and the light reflects off it. If I had been able to take more time and sand better, they wouldn't be seen on inspection. As with anything, the more time and effort you put into it, the better it looks. As it is, comparing my vehicle to a new one, you can't tell these lenses are even a year old. They really do look brand new. There are other kits on the market and you can do this at home with spray Clear Coat. Honestly, they have got to be harder to do. The Clear Coat spray is going to be harder than just wiping on this sealant because you have to apply the spray two or more times. This kit uses a cream that you just apply heavily and let dry. And, where I am, the spray Clear Coat costs almost as much as this neat little kit does. If you add in the cost of a rubber glove, sand paper in different grits, and the towels, you'll have more money than this kit costs, and without the warranty that you can register for at the Sylvania site. Honestly, I think this is a little much. At this point, I'm more than happy with the results even if they don't last all that long. How long did this take? All in all, 12 hours. Now, before you go into shock, that was removing the headlights from the vehicle, cleaning them up, starting with the kit, allowing them to cure overnight (indoors and out of any contact with moisture), and then reinstalling them in the vehicle. Since I had to replace the headlight bulbs too, it was just easier for me to remove the assembly. It also turned out to be a plus since you need to let them dry and cure somewhere away from rain and dew. Since it's September, dew sets after dark and this could have messed it up. Just doing the headlights with the kit only took about two hours, stopping to rest my arm and let it dry off some before starting the next step. If I had worked hard, or used a power tool, I could possibly have done both in an hour and been ready for them to cure. One kit easily did a set of headlights with a little to spare. I have more than enough of the activator and sealant to spare, but only a little of the compound left. Maybe enough for one more headlight. If you do this with the headlights in your vehicle, you will want to protect the area around them with tape or something to keep the spray and sealant off it. This kit saved me over $300 for the parts and only took a little time that I had to kill. If you do this in one hour, it's saving you a good bit given the cost of replacing the parts and having to do it (or pay to have it done). If I need to do my other vehicles, I'm getting more of these kits and not stressing over it.

The instructions are thorough, understandable, and easy to follow. The entire sanding + sealant procedure took about four hours, total, for me; your time may be shorter because I took additional time sanding before applying the sealant/UV overcoat. The process is pretty easy: mask with painter's tape, sand, polish, and seal. I have no photos attached because I worked in a garage and my before/after photos were lousy. But, the net result was fantastic: like new, mirror finish. Overnight to cure the coating, then washed, waxed, and vacuumed the car to match the renewed headlamps. Result: 'a new car'. It looks really good. Following the suggestion of other reviewers, I used 3000-, 5000-, and 7000-grit paper (not included) for polishing beyond the 400-, 1000-, and 2000-grit papers provided in the kit. The net result was a finish that was almost clear even before applying the overcoat. I was extremely happy with the end result. Here is the 3000/5000/7000 kit I used; I highly recommend it, as well: AUSTOR 18-piece 3000/5000/7000 sanding paper (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078HG5R8W?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) My hints for great results. 1. Use water often and plentifully. Keep the sandpapers and the lenses wet, all the time. 2. Grab a roll of paper towels and wipe the lenses clean, often, while sanding. It really helps with the sanding and it keeps your work area cleaner. 3. Keep a bucket nearby to toss your paper towels into and to keep your used sandpapers semi-clean, if you want to reuse them. Toss the sandpapers on top of the paper towels; they will protect them from a dirt on the floor or ground. 4. Don't be afraid to go back to lower grit sandpaper to touch up an area that still look a little rough. My idea was to do the best I could before coating rather than hoping that the coating would cover any flaws. 5. Buy and use the 3000-grit sandpaper. The 5000-7000-grit might be overkill but I was impressed with the results using them . 6. Use a light-to-moderate touch when sanding. Take your time: sand, rinse, wipe, inspect, resume, repeat. 7. Make two passes with the brown polishing liquid. Use one-quarter of the polishing liquid for the first pass on each lens, rinse, wipe, rinse, wipe with a paper towel, and inspect. If it looks good, polish a second time with the rest of the liquid and the provided white cloth. Using a paper towel first will give you a good idea of how well you did your sanding before you use up all of your polishing liquid. When I finished with the sanding and polishing, wiping on the UV protecting sealant went on so smoothly. 8. I recommend using nitrile gloves to apply the sealant. They fit better and do a great job protecting your hands from the sealant. They are pretty cheap and have a hundred other uses around the house.

I usually foul up these projects, but this worked surprisingly well. Short version - the headlight really does look "like new" after I finished! I only had one headlight to do since the other one had been replaced due to being broken. Some notes on the process: Read ALL of the instructions FIRST! Basically you will need to prep BOTH headlights before doing the very last step, because there is only one included applicator for the last step. Other than that, the instructions are straightforward. I masked off the headlight with painters tape, before doing anything else. This is important otherwise the sandpaper steps could damage the paint right next to the headlight, if you even lightly brush the paint with the sandpaper. Also, while the kit is supposed to be safe in case it accidentally gets on your paint a little bit, why risk any affect on your paint at all? The first step is a big part of the magic here. I thoroughly cleaned the headlight before starting, but the first step loosened up so much grime and surface contamination that my wiping cloth was FILTHY! It really softened up the contamination and surface deposits, which probably saves a ton of time sanding and polishing in the next step. Because I had plenty of fluid and was only doing one headlight, I did this step twice. The second time I didn't get nearly as much contamination on the rag, so doing it once per the instructions is probably fine. The second step took a while because I'm a perfectionist and took extra time making sure I evenly sanded the whole headlight all the way to the edges. I think this paid off, but it added extra time for 2 reasons. First, it took time carefully wet-sanding the edges of the headlights using small circular motions in order to avoid creating lines and gouges in the headlight. Second, since this is a wet-sanding process, the painters tape may come loose due to the water. Trust me - it is WORTH IT to stop, dry everything off, and re-apply the tape so you don't ruin the paint on your car next to the headlight! So I stopped a few times to re-apply the tape mask. The only minor critique of the kit itself was that the step 2 polishing paste comes in a single packet that you cut to open. So you need to do both headlights at once otherwise you'll end up wasting half of the polishing paste and not have any to do the other headlight. Also, the headlights on my car are pretty large and I think I would have had to really skimp on the paste in order to polish both headlights with the paste. Since I was doing only one headlight I could be liberal with the use of the paste, but even using "just enough" I think I might have not had enough for the second headlight. Still, my headlights are unusually large and it still might have been barely enough, so the kit will still work for both headlights. I'd be much more comfortable however if Sylvania had simply included 2 slightly smaller step 2 polishing paste packets instead of one larger one that has to be used for 2 headlights at once. After step 2 polish, the whole headlight looked kind of like frosted shower glass, except that even though I took my time to do the sanding and polishing right, I could still see sanding swirls and some uneven remaining oxidation. I figured I had nothing to lose though, so I proceeded to the third step in spite of not being 100% happy with how I had done the preparation. Remember, I usually foul these things up somehow, so... I was AMAZED at how well it looks after the third step! This is the second magic part of this kit. The step 3 solution went on very easily with the included applicator. A tip - follow the instructions EXACTLY, including resisting the temptation to go back and "touch up" sections that don't look quite right after the application. I had to dab/wipe on a bit near a corner where I didn't smoothly apply the final coating on the first swipe, and if I look VERY closely I can see that the coating is thicker and not very even in the places where I went back a second time. Bottom line, pretty much soak the applicator with the fluid, make one pass over every part of the headlight, and LEAVE IT ALONE without even thinking about making second coats! After the application, it was immediately obvious that it came out looking great. When standing just 2-3 feet away, the headlight looks just as clear as the brand new one on the other side, and there are no visible scratches or hazing at all. Even the area where some of the original oxidation damage was uneven after sanding came out looking crystal clear. If I put my face 6 inches from the headlight and shine a light on it just right, I can see the coating in the areas where I had to go back to cover places on some curved edges that I didn't get with the smooth application swipes, but those are the only areas where I can even tell anything has been done at all, and my face has to be right up close to the headlight. From a few feet away, it looks brand new. Time will tell whether or not the finish stands up to the sun and heat, but the initial results are amazing. Follow the instructions, take the time to protect the paint during steps 1 and 2, do steps 1 and 2 on both headlights before step 3 (and remember that step 2 packet must be split for both headlights) and resist the temptation to apply second coats of step 3. Do that, and you'll have great results too. Highly recommended, and good luck with your headlight restoration!

In general, this product provided good results, but there were a few issues with using the kit that I wish I had been aware of before using it to produce better results. The instructions provided with the kit are clear and detailed, which is important because there are multiple steps involved in using the kit and all have to be done in the correct order and with the necessary thoroughness to produce good results. I was able to apply tape to the paint surrounding the headlights and go through all of the necessary steps to finish the process in about two hours. All of the materials needed to complete the process are included in the kit, except for two basic tools I needed to use the kit on my car that is parked outside my apartment complex in a parking lot, with no access to a garage or a water supply. I needed to add to the kit materials several 32-ounce water spray bottles and a roll of paper towels. With those two items, and the items provided with the kit, I was well-equipped to complete the steps described in the instructions. The main issue I had with using the kit and producing the desired results arose from applying the UV protection treatment that is the last step in the process. The instructions state that the user must apply the UV protection treatment liquid on an included paper cloth in even, continuous strokes across the headlight cover, overlapping the previous stroke slightly. This did not work in practice to produce a clear headlight cover on one of the two headlights on my car. In reality, overlapping the previous stroke of applying the UV protection liquid acted to disrupt the liquid already applied on one of the two headlights and created some mild haze in the final appearance of some portions of the headlight cover. Once that haze appears there is no way to correct the problem - as going over the problem areas again will only make the issue worse (per the instructions, which warn the user not to touch the headlight covers after applying the UV protection liquid). The other issue I had with the product is the complexity and time involved in using it. There are other kits that have fewer steps and take less time. For example, one of the liquids supplied in this kit has to be applied and then washed off four times during the completion of all of the steps in this process for both headlights. However, this kit has a good reputation for producing quality results that last longer than some other similar products. So, I am still pleased that I used this product for my first experience in headlight restoration, as it did a good job eliminating the heavy, opaque discoloration caused by long-term exposure to the sun and the headlights look much better than they did before using the product. One headlight looks new, and the other looks clear except for a light haze where the UV protection liquid seems to have dried slightly cloudy in some areas. I am guessing that the light output from the headlight with the slight haze in some areas will not be affected significantly from the haze. So, with the warning that this kit takes time and effort to use correctly, and with the additional warning that you should try not to overlap your application strokes of the UV protection liquid (contrary to the instructions) and try not to re-touch the surface after applying each stroke of that liquid, I can recommend the kit.* *One other issue I have with the product is the alleged warranty. I tried to register the product on the Sylvania website, so I could enroll in the warranty. However, the website requires that I provide my telephone number to register the product. I am not willing to provide my telephone number, due to the unknown risks that it will be sold to others or stolen and used by criminals, so enrolling in the warranty is not possible for me.

Aside from completely stripping and repainting an entire car, I've not done any project to a car that made such a visual difference in recent past. I was debating going without food just to buy new headlight for my C6 Corvette. I did the research and found this kit to be the overall favorite for best results. The claims are absolutely true. Even if your headlights are a "basket case", like mine were, it's just a matter of time and effort to make your headlights look almost new. Previously, these had been sanded and sprayed with clear lacquer. That did not work, so My headlights were to a point where they didn't work with the lights on. night driving was dangerous as I couldn't see well enough to react. So, I had to sand these down using my own sandpaper until they were at a point where I could follow the instructions. I spent about 3 hours just sanding them to get the lacquer off. After following the instructions carefully, the transformation was amazing. They look worst just before they begin to look great! I had a bit of the final clear solution left, so I gave them a second coat, which works fabulously. They honestly look and function like new lenses right up to about 18 inches away. From there, you can see very fine checking of the plastic and minute streaking from my untrained application. This is the best solution for dangerously clouded and ugly headlight lenses. Your friends and family will be stunned and amazed.

I just finished three lights on a rav4, which were a little bit of a pain because of their complicated shapes, One was a rear which is two separate pieces. I did only one rear because I had just replaced the other one due to cracks in both sections. Side by side comparison- the refinished ones look as good or better then the new one although there are some slight defects in the finish. Clarity is superb. I did a bit more sanding than was probably required but one was in pretty bad shape. It already looked like it had been sanded with 400 grit before I started but it hadn't. Don't skimp on sanding, be careful to be thorough and not miss spots. Better to over sand as you are not really removing much material at those grits. Apply sealer in the shade and you'll get a more forgiiving application window. I could pick my work apart up close but from even just a couple feet back it really looks great. I could do it over I think and clean up a couple imperfections , but truthfully it looks so good now I won't mess with it for as long as this coat lasts. I needed to do something like this or replace my lights so I saved about $4oo dollars with this kit.Kit works really well and I consider it a bargain.

I was initially skeptical of how well this kit would work (I mean, it was only $20!) and I wasn’t sure if the foggy-ness on my headlights was inside the lens or on the outside. I read positive reviews on Amazon and looked at the customer’s images before I purchased the kit, but I’m always still slightly skeptical until I see it for myself, or personally know someone who has tried a product from online. But after seeing it for myself, I am now a believer! I buffed the outside of my headlights. You do not buff the inside, if anyone is curious. I can’t imagine buffing the outside would help if you had condensation build-up on the inside (although I’m sure you could apply to the inside of a clear lense?...just make sure you’re not buffing the tint or colored screen of a light. However, I’m sure the product wouldn’t advertise/recommend using on the interior of the lense due to possible damage it could cause). Most cloudy headlights seem to have sun/weather damage, though. This product will most certainly work great on that kind of wear and tear! For anyone saying toothpaste does the same thing, that is not correct. I’ve tried toothpaste. It helps but it doesn’t deliver the same results as this. This product has a pumice similar to the texture of toothpaste (but thicker and slightly grittier). But in addition to that, it provides lightly abrasive sandpaper, a stain remover, and a clear coat. So overall, it’s much more adept to ensuring as clean of a result as possible. It puts the toothpaste method to shame. I have not actually tried this product before, so I honestly have no idea how the durability/lifespan will be. However, if I’m going off how well this product worked, I would hope it holds up for a decent amount of time (months) before requiring another attempt. So I rated that aspect 5 stars until something proves otherwise, and I will update if that changes. The instruction manual was well-written and easy to read, as well as being intuitive and preempting you to get your other supplies ready and pre-reading the instructions before starting the project. It was written in perfect, fluent English; it was not overly verbose so the directions were easy to follow; and it was three simple steps on three small pages so it didn’t take a lot of time to read through the instructions. Things you will need in addition to the kit: - Water source (I used a hose, but you could use a large pitcher of water. You just need to be able to keep your sandpaper and lights consistently wet while sanding, and be able to rinse the lenses when the directions call for it). - Masking tape is optional though I’d recommend it. (The kit says the products will not strip the clear coat or ruin your paint job, but it suggests taping off your lights out of precaution. As long as the paint on someone’s car isn’t stripped of the clear coat or rusting/chipping before taping, then I’d definitely suggest taping off the lights with masking tape.) - Extra non-latex glove (if you want to wear one on both hands — because the box only includes one glove... I didn’t want anything on my hands, especially the chemicals, so I wore gloves the whole time). - Have a garbage can, nearby, for waste - Extra paper towels and/or a shammy for drying (I would have used a car shammy, but I had some soft, blue car-paper towels and those worked well.) The kit includes: -A spray that strips stains off the lenses - 3 soft paper towels that are used for drying, for rubbing pumice, and for applying the clear coat - 3 different sandpaper strips that you split in half and use one-half on each light (400 grit, 1000 grit, and 2000 grit— you work your way up from coarsest to smoothest grit). - Gritty pumice to polish the lenses after wet-sanding - And a UV Protectant Clear Coat to use at the last step (this step is essential because the lights dramatically shine and are exceptionally clear after applying this clear coat.) - I also kept my phone nearby so I could time my sanding/buffing. It recommends 5 minutes for each step, per light. Here’s what you need to know: - This particular kit is only good for 2 lights. My headlights were the main problem, but now that I see how well this works, I’ll probably do this to my taillights as well. - You need to set aside at least 1 hour for this project. Even 2 hours would be ideal but more than that isn’t needed. And you need to be willing to put some elbow grease into it with all of the sanding. (I’m sure you could use a small sanding buffer too...but people tend to buff too hard with a buffer if they’re not familiar with using one, so I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. The product does not suggest to use one, but if you’re familiar with a buffer and have one on-hand, I could see how it could expedite the process. Just make sure to keep your headlights and the sandpaper wet while sanding.) - You are not to touch the headlights for at least one hour after applying the clear coat - You are advised not to drive the car or leave it in rainy conditions for 4-6 hours after applying the clear coat until the coating cures. (So set aside time to do this when you don’t have to drive somewhere; and make sure to do it on a sunny and/or dry cloudy day, although avoid direct sunlight and freezing cold temperatures). Seriously though, for $20, it makes it look like you basically have a brand new pair of lights! It is *so* worth the purchase. I’d highly recommend it, and whenever it wears off, I will certainly be purchasing another kit and doing this again.

My headlights were completely clouded over and oxidized, significantly reducing my visibility at night. I decided to try this kit before spending hundreds on new housings, and I’m glad I did. Complete Kit: This came with everything advertised. The instructions were very clear and easy to follow. User Pro-Tip: While the kit is comprehensive, I highly recommend using a separate spray bottle with water for the wet sanding steps. Keeping the surface constantly lubricated makes the sanding much more effective and prevents the paper from loading up. Effort vs. Reward: It took about one hour to do both headlights. It definitely requires some "elbow grease" during the wet sanding stages, but don't rush it—the more effort you put into the prep, the better the final result. The Results & Durability: The transformation was night and day. The lenses went from hazy and yellow to crystal clear. Most importantly, it’s been three months since the application, and they still look brand new. It has held up perfectly through harsh winter driving (salt and slush) and several trips through the automatic car wash. Final Verdict: 5 Stars. If you’re willing to put in the manual labor for an hour, this kit will save you a fortune. The sealant actually lasts, which is the biggest factor.

Looks like new - makes the whole car look better. Rarely do reviews but this deserves one! Easy to use with great results - just follow instructions.

Total amateur senior but has worked well on a 20 year old care. Now to see how long it lasts Australians should note... in step 2, instructions use the word 'quarter' when dabbing stuff onto a cloth. For aussies it should read the size of a 10cent piece!

Excellent product for DIY. It works as it claims, need to be very careful when applying clear coat, do not over apply.

Amazing results for 10 years old car. No more blinding other drivers. Some elbow grease required for upmost results

Muy buenos resultados.