Plastic headlights can become dull, yellowed, and hazy over time, but you can restore them for around $15 in under an hour instead of replacing them. The process involves sanding, polishing, and buffing the lens to remove damage and improve clarity.

Start by washing the headlight with warm soapy water and drying it thoroughly. Mask off the area around the lens to protect your car’s paint. Soak wet/dry sandpaper in water and sand the lens horizontally, beginning with a suitable grit like 1000.

Rinse the lens, then switch to a finer grit and sand vertically. Continue this pattern until you finish with 2500-grit sandpaper. Wash and dry the headlight again, then apply plastic polish using a flannel cloth and firm circular motions.

Let the polish dry, then buff it off with the clean side of the cloth. Repeat polishing if needed—especially on stubborn cloudy spots—until the lens looks clear and smooth. Your headlights should now be fully restored and much brighter on the road.