How to Fix Foggy, Yellow Headlights

Method 1: Headlight Restoration Kit (Best Results)

A restoration kit is the best DIY option. Costs $15 to $30 and gives you professional looking results. Most kits include sandpaper in multiple grits, a polishing compound, and a UV sealant.

1. Tape off the area around the headlight to protect your paint.
2. Wet-sand with the coarsest grit (usually 1000). Keep the surface wet. Sand in one direction.
3. Move to the finer grit (1500, then 2000 or 3000). Sand in a perpendicular direction each time.
4. Apply the polishing compound with the included pad or a microfiber cloth.
5. Apply the UV sealant coating. This is the most important step. Without it, the haze comes back in months.

Method 2: Baking Soda + Vinegar (Budget Fix)

Mix baking soda with white vinegar into a paste. Apply it with a cloth and scrub in circular motions for a few minutes. Rinse clean. Works on light haze but won't handle severe oxidation. No UV protection, so it's temporary.

Method 3: Just Replace Them

Sometimes restoration isn't worth it. If your headlights are heavily damaged, have internal moisture, or you've already restored them once or twice, new assemblies are the better investment. Aftermarket headlights for most vehicles run $40 to $250 per side.