With these kits you guys have been suggesting, how long do the effects last? I ask as RockAuto has replacement new headlamp assemblies for about $25 each.

 

I said 6 months. This is after sanding with multiple grit paper and the UV protector in the best kit I could find. I ended up with the Rock Auto headlamps. At >$100, no way. At $25 each, why not.

 

 

Like George said, about a year. Btw, Christine, if you decide to replace rather than polish your existing headlamps, let us know how easy that was. Was it a direct replacement? I'm thinking of doing the same thing. I didn't realize the replacements were that inexpensive.

 

So I took another look at my headlights (it is easier now with the snow almost gone and it warming up) and realized they must have been polished once before. But that would have been about 10 years ago before I purchased the truck! It is as if the main lenses were polished but the turn indicator on the drivers side was not. That one is yellowed and opaque unlike the new ones I've seen pictures of. I also noticed that the fog lights are yellowed and opaque too. All that said, the main lenses are pitted a bit but they are nowhere near as bad as my neighbor's car on which it is easy to see that one of the headlamp assemblies (on a Honda) has been replaced whereas the other one is very yellowed and opaque.

At the moment, I'm now thinking of only polishing the fog lamp lenses and saving my money for now. I keep telling myself to pace out any car expenses like my father told me as you never know when your vehicle might fail or get totaled.

 

 

This may sound a little goofy but if I had to polish my headlight lenses I'd use tooth past and a buffing pad. You can sand with some wet 1200 grit paper and get good results. If it requires something more aggressive save yourself the frustration and just get a replacement lens.

 

I have used the creams, and both the 3M hand & drill kits commented before.
I definitely lean towards the 3M kits. They work great. But like mentioned, results last for 6 months to a year.
I once did my wife's old, old car....a 99 Nissan Altima. Could barely see out of them at night. They looked brand new when I got done, and looked good for almost 2 years.

New headlamps for 25 each is a great deal! Might be on par or cheaper than the salvage yard.

It all comes down to, do you wanna put the work in and spend half the money....or have it done for you for double the price.

 

The old school way was use regular paint buffing compound and a micro cloth and polish as you would a paint job.
Removes the haze and adds a more or less a wax coat to the lens. I've had them last several years after polishing,
On a side note your going to find the really bright white Halogen and such bulbs put out enough heat that they all will fast haze new or old.