How many times can a headlight be restored?

It is normal for a headlight to fade again even after it was previously restored. This is because each process has a lifespan at the end of which oxidation occurs and the headlight has to be reconditioned again. Removing oxidation effectively requires sanding the headlight with different types of sandpaper, from roughest to smoothest. Once sanding is done we can now move to either polishing the headlight then applying sealants or spraying a clear coat to protect the headlight from fading again.

For professional restoration, the main ways of restoration are either through polishing and then applying sealants or by spraying clear coats. Polishing can be done repeatedly without affecting the integrity of the headlight. All that is required is to be careful with the heat produced from polishing the headlight. As for permanent restoration (this is where we spray the clear coat) it can be done an unlimited number of times. The key thing to note for both polishing and permanent restoration is not to be too aggressive when wet sanding so as not to leave deep sanding marks on the headlight.

Oxidation is usually evidenced by a yellowish color. When sanding, you will note this as well, as soon as the oxidized layer is sanded off the sanding deposits will appear white. As soon as this occurs, sand the surface evenly then you can move on to the next stage.

Being too aggressive while sanding can cause deep sanding marks which can be visible after the restoration process is completed. So please be careful when sanding and sand the surface evenly. One can argue that sanding can weaken the headlight lens; this is not so because sanding removes a tiny layer compared to the thickness of the lens hence why the process can be done repeatedly without damaging or weakening the lens.

There are other methods of restoring headlights such as DIY kits which can be done an unlimited number of times. These restoration kits can be used severally when stored properly.

The longer the restoration cycle the better the condition of the headlights will be. A longer cycle saves you time and resources so it is best to choose methods that last such as permanent restoration.

Sanding is the main issue when considering how many times a headlight can be restored since it is the most intrusive. The rest of the process has no great implication for the headlight and can be done to infinity.

Conclusion

A headlight can be restored an unlimited number of times. When restoring headlights professionally be sure not to be too aggressive when wet sanding as it might cause deep sanding marks to be visible when the restoration process is completed. The longer the restoration cycle is the better the headlights as it minimizes the number of times a headlight has to be sanded. For this reason, it is better to go with a restoration process that can last at least a year, even better two to three years. Hope this was helpful.