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The Best Headlight Restoration Kit In Australia

The Best Headlight Restoration Kit In Australia

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Headlights are one of the most commonly used features on a car but they can get scratched, discoloured and even foggy as they become worn and oxidised over time.

This can impact how well the lights on your vehicle work and you may be considering replacing the headlights altogether but these issues can often be fixed with a simple restoration kit which costs far less than replacing the headlight lenses.

A restoration kit can get your headlights back to their original condition and can make driving in low light conditions safer and easier.

The following reviews and buyer’s guide will help you to find the best restoration kit for your headlights.


1. 3M 39008 Headlight Lens Restoration System Kit (Top Pick)


This headlight restoration kit from 3M is easy to use and will get rid of all dirt, haze, yellowing and marks to completely restore your headlight lens.

Although the set can be used without any tools it is recommended you use it with a common household drill to achieve professional results more quickly.

This set can be used to restore clarity to your headlights, taillights, fog or indicator lights.

This restoration system includes sanding discs to remove marks and a polishing compound to help achieve clarity and protect the light against future marking and yellowing.

This is a simple way of restoring your headlights at home. You can restore two headlights with this one kit so you can see more clearly when driving at night or in low light conditions.


What We Like:

  • Simple to use
  • Can be used with or without tools 
  • Restores 2 headlights

What We Don’t Like:

  • Works best when used with a drill

2. Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit


The Rain-X Headlight Restoration Kit gives you everything you need for a 3 step headlight deep cleaning.

This complete kit comes with lubricant, headlight restorer, sealer, 3 polishing pads and a microfiber cloth.

This is an all-in-one set so you do not need any extra equipment or tools to get the job done.

This set is designed for use with clear plastic headlight covers and will improve visibility making your vehicle safer to drive at night.

The 3 restoration steps are very simple; first, the three grades of sandpaper are used with the lubricant provided to remove yellow haze, then the Rain-X polish is used to remove scratches and finally the sealant is applied.

The multi-step approach to this headlight restoration is straightforward and doesn’t take much time.

It also provides a deeper and more long-lasting clean than single-step kits.


What We Like:

  • 3 simple steps
  • No additional equipment is needed
  • Low cost

What We Don’t Like:

  • The sandpaper squares are quite small which may make them difficult to hold and use

3. Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer Kit


This low-cost kit from Turtle Wax contains 2 polishing pads, spray lubricant, lens clarifying compound and sealing wipes.

By using this kit you will improve the lens appearance and headlight performance on your car or motorbike.

This kit not only restores the lens but it also protects and prolongs lens clarity, this is great as it means you won’t have to worry about your headlights for a couple of years after restoring.

Another benefit of this restorer is that there’s no need to use a drill, you can sort your headlights with the materials provided and some elbow grease.

This kit includes everything necessary to restore your headlights and multiple lenses can be restored using this one pack.


What We Like:

  • Protects the lens for years of clarity
  • All-in-one kit
  • One restorer kit can be used on multiple lenses

What We Don’t Like:

  • The base coat and lens sealing wipes are very small in size (5x5cm)

4. Meguiars Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit G2970


This two-step kit quickly and easily restores headlights and protects them against yellowing for up to 12 months. This is a simple way to restore clarity to uncoated clear plastics.

All you need to do is clean the surface with an abrasive pad and cleaning compound and then coat the surface with the headlight coating and that’s it! It’s so simple, there’s no need for any tools and you can see the results instantly.

This headlight restoration kit gives a clear finish without needing to sand the plastic down.

The results enhance visibility and ensure you can see more clearly when driving at night.


What We Like:

  • Protects against re-oxidation for 12 months
  • Simple 2 step process
  • No sanding required

What We Don’t Like:

  • Some users have found when the protective coating starts to wear off it peels away in pieces

5. Mothers 687251 NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit


Mothers 687251 NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit, 8 fl. oz.

If you’re looking for a headlight restoration kit you can use again and again this Mothers NuLens kit is a great option. This is a powerful kit that can remove scratches, smudges and flaws with ease.

This pack comes with a PowerBall 4Lights polishing tool, liquid polish, a backing plate and restorations discs. It is designed to quickly and safely restore plastic and acrylic headlights.

The set should be used with a drill and it takes just a few minutes to fully restore a lens. The polishing tool can be used with any cordless drill and is washable and reusable.

The included polish leaves a protective layer to guard against future degradation.

With the reusable polishing tool and enough polish to restore your headlights for years, this pack is great for longer-term maintenance too.

It is recommended you apply the polish on a monthly basis to maintain the clarity of your headlights.


What We Like:

  • Restores any plastic or acrylic headlights
  • Quick and easy to use
  • Polishing tool can be reused

What We Don’t Like:

  • Designed to be used with a drill

Headlight Restoration Kit Buyers’ Guide


Headlight restoration kits are a low-cost way to effectively reduce fogginess, dullness and discolouration commonly seen in headlights.

It’s a simple way to improve safety while driving, increase your car’s resale value and save money by not replacing the headlights unnecessarily.

There are a range of kits available to restore headlight lenses back to their original condition but the kit you will need depends on your vehicle’s current condition.

With so many options it can be confusing knowing which product to pick so this buyer’s guide will help you find the best headlight restorer kit for your needs.

Your Vehicle’s Headlight Condition

It is very important to take a look at the condition of the headlights before you buy a kit.

If the headlights are damaged to the point that it impacts the clarity of the light then you will find it best to go for a multi-step kit that uses tools to restore the headlight.

If your headlights are still pretty clear and they only have some minor scratches and dirt then you will probably find a multistep kit that doesn’t use tools is enough to get the condition restored.

For very minor issues a single step solution may do the trick.

When looking at your headlights, take note of the material as some older models have headlight lenses made from Plexiglass rather than plastic.

Plexiglass is more brittle so it is better to use a one-step system on it otherwise you could cause damage by using harsh chemicals or methods which can worsen the situation.

However, the vast majority of newer vehicles have plastic lenses which are more resistant and respond well to the harsher but effective methods used in multi-step kits.

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One Step Vs. Multi-Step Kits

One step kits tend to be best suited to headlights that require minor restoration work, they offer a cleaning solution to remove the build-up of dirt and particles.

Multi-step kits are able to handle major headlight restoration and can restore the headlight to its original condition. This usually involves washing, sanding, sealing, polishing, buffering and finishing.

This tends to take a considerably longer time but it gives better and longer-lasting results.

Multi-step kits can be designed to be used with or without tools, it is usually outlined on the packaging so you will know whether or not you need a drill to properly use the set.

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Tools Vs. No Tools

Some of the restoration kits are designed to be used with a drill while others are designed to be used with nothing more than elbow grease.

Using tools makes it more likely you can restore the headlight to like-new condition while not using additional tools can save you money and can give great results too.

Keep in mind that not using tools might not be enough to handle headlights that are in very poor condition.

Key Features

  • Complete kit – check if the headlight restoration kits you are looking at are complete kits or if you will need other equipment and products for the restoration to be carried out effectively.
  • Sander material – using abrasive pads to sand scratches away is common for damaged headlights. Common sander materials include silicon carbide which is great for use on plastic or Plexiglas, aluminium oxide which is good for light damage and garnet which is very rough so can make the headlight smooth but also wears out quickly. Most kits include sanders made from silicon carbide.
  • Sealant – make sure the headlight restoration kit includes UV sealant as this will form a protective layer that will ensure your restoration work is effective for longer. Sun exposure causes the condition of the headlights to fade which is why clear coat UV protection is an important factor.
  • Versatility – the best headlight restoration kits are able to be used on a range of lights, plastic surfaces and windows. Check if the kit is limited to headlights or has more versatile uses.



This article was written by Jim Marsden

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