When you think about vehicle upkeep, you probably picture routine maintenance and check-ups for its engine and other major parts. But all too often, people disregard one fundamental part of their vehicles that affects both safety and appearance – the headlights.

Headlights are the eyes of your vehicle. They don’t just form the structure or give a beautiful appearance to your beloved car. They serve a safety purpose. 

Unfortunately, they are consistently exposed to UV rays, harsh weather conditions, scratches, and other external damaging elements. As a result, your headlights usually dull and lose their clarity after a while. 

Best Clear Coat for Headlights

There are some great headlight restoration kits available on the market that will help you avoid the cost of completely replacing your old, dull headlights. This article reviews the best clear coat for headlights and everything you need to know before purchasing one.

Table of Content

1. Best Choice Clear Coat for Headlight Restoration
2. Top Rated Clear Coat for Headlight Restoration
3. 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat – Our Top Pick
4. Drexler Ceramic Car Coating Kit – Best Use for Professional Detailers
5. U-Pol Products 0796 Clear High Gloss Coat – Best for Compatibility
6. OPT7 Headlight Restoration Kit with Ceramic Nu Coating – Best Long-Lasting
7. Plextone Headlight Restoration Kit – Most User-Friendly
8. Best Clear Coat for Headlights: Buying Tips
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. Best Brands
11. Final Thoughts

1. 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat – Our Top Pick

3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat

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3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat is a quick and simple way to add a clear coat to slightly yellowed headlights and other plastic lenses – improving their clarity. It is used also for recently restored lenses and a wide range of plastic lights (headlights, directional lights, taillights, fog lights, and more).

The kit includes Trizact sanding discs that help increase the clarity about four times. Use the disc to gently buff the surface, wipe on the coating, and allow it to dry.

In addition, it offers durable UV protection and extends the life span of your headlights. The kit also contains scratch-resistant masking tape to protect your vehicle’s paint, as well as a wax protectant to give a glossy finish.

Features and Specifications 

• Masking tape, wax protectant, and light sanding discs
• Fit Type: Universal fit.
• 3M abrasive technology which eliminates yellowing and prevents build-up
• Item Weight: 0.634 ounces 
• Trizact sanding disc that ensures clarity

  Pros:

• Very easy to use, does not require any tools
• Restores headlights without damaging the plastic surface
• Offers UV protection

  Cons:

• Can’t apply in direct sunlight

2. Drexler Ceramic Car Coating Kit – Best Use for Professional Detailers

Drexler Ceramic Car Coating Kit

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Drexler coating can be applied to a wide range of materials from plastic, carbon fiber, aluminum, to even stainless steel. With application of this coating kit, a super hard protective layer is formed. This is thanks to a high percentage of Silicon(iv)oxide and results in a shiny finish.

This coat for plastics and other materials offers maximum protection with little or no maintenance. It offers chemical resistance and protection against other environmental threats. 

Drexler coating is long-lasting and can last for about 3 years with one layer of coating and 5 years with two layers of coating. All thanks to the truly unique 2 coats formula (base coat and topcoat spray)

It keeps your car clean for a longer time due to its self-cleaning effect and it is easy to wash with high-pressure water.

Features and Specifications 

• Unique 2 coats formula (30ml base coat and 50ml topcoat spray)
• Microfiber cloth
• 9H hardness (the greatest level of protection)
• Item weight: 8.8 ounces
• The applicator pad and suede cloths

3. U-Pol Products 0796 Clear High Gloss Coat – Best for Compatibility

U-Pol Products 0796 Clear High Gloss Coat

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The U-Pol Products 0796 Clear High Gloss Coat is the perfect product to buy if you need your vehicle headlights to glow. There are plenty of reasons why this clear coat will give you a professional finish. 

This clear coat spray comes in an aerosle can. The can allows for a quick, easy, and user-friendly application. The spray nozzle has a remarkable structure that guarantees a smooth and even covering. This is easily applied to the headlights and dries up fast.

This immediate-drying action enables a glossy and satisfying finish. Alongside a shiny finish and simple application, this high gloss clear coat by U-Pol Products is also popular for being weather resistant, offering UV protection, and including long-lasting synthetic compounds.

Furthermore, it easily blends with existing 2K clear coats and is compatible with other water-based coats.

Features and Specifications

• UV blockers are embedded in it
• High build
• Compatible with water-based coats
• Item weight: 0.32 ounces
• Finish Type: High gloss
• Clog free nozzle and spray gun finish

  Pros:

• Fast-drying action
• Works well with existing 2K clear coats
• Prevents light oxidation

  Cons:

• Spray application makes it harder to avoid inhaling

Best Clear Coat for Headlights: Buying Tips

Now that you’ve learned about some of the best clear coats for headlights, we’re going to go over what additional things you should consider before making a purchase. This guide will help you in buying the most suitable one for your needs.

To purchase the right clear coat product. You need to consider the factors below.

Durability

While purchasing a clear coat for headlights, make a point to check the lifespan of the clear coat. A few options offer protection for quite a long time, with some lasting for as long as 3 years. This normally depends on the components utilized in the item and the application process.

Regardless, make sure that everything about the product points to long-term protection.

UV Protection

A major factor responsible for the yellowing and oxidation of headlights is the harmful UV radiation. Ensure that the product you buy has an oxidation cleaner to eliminate the effect of extreme oxidation caused by these rays. Generally, you’ll want your chosen clear coat for headlights to offer UV protection.

Quantity

If you buy a clear coat kit for vehicle headlights, you need to find out how many times you can use it.

All things considered, you’ll want to make sure you can get a few uses out of your kit or it could not be worth it. 

Method of Application 

What method would you prefer for the application of the clear coat? Would you rather wipe it for complete control, or would you prefer a spray-on formula for evenness? 

If your choice is spray-on, be certain that the nozzle is durable and easy to use. On the other hand, a microfiber towel or a piece of cloth is needed to apply a wipe-on product uniformly all through the headlight.

Product Quality

Assess the ingredients while deciding what clear coat is suitable for your vehicle’s headlights. You can also check the reviews of the users to help compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need A Professional To Apply The Clear Coat For Me?

This is a matter of choice. You can hire a professional to do the job but the application of these clear coats for headlines  is not a difficult task to do. You can easily apply them on your own without the need of an expert.

How Often Do I Need to Change the Headlight Coatings?

This is dependent on quite a few factors such as the clear coat product you are utilizing, altitude, climate, materials of the headlights, and exposure to harmful chemical compounds. 

These coatings can become ineffective in as quickly as ten months, but others can make it a few years before you need to reapply. This is one of the reasons you have to choose a good quality clear coat product that will last you for a long time.

What Household Material Can I Use in Place of a Clear Coat?

Make a paste by mixing a few tablespoons of baking soda with warm water. After you have given your headlights a good cleaning, apply the baking soda paste to your headlights with a soft cloth.

Clean your headlights with a clean cloth using little circular movements. Cleaning with toothpaste is also an good substitute.

How Do I Store Clear Coats?

To store your clear coats for headlights, it is ideal to keep them away from sharp objects to prevent cutting into the bottle. Store away from direct sunlight to ensure it remains in a good working condition. For long-term storage, you should also wrap it in a polythene bag to avoid contaminating any other items in case of a leak.

Best Brands

3M Quick

3M is a multinational company that originated in th US. They are renowned for their diversified technology to provide innovative products and services to their customers. Among their products are abrasives, coatings, building materials, automotive parts, hardware, etc.

Drexler Ceramic

This is another great company founded in France in 2016. They make and distribute automobile care products.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing the best clear coat for headlights is a fundamental thing that you need to consider in keeping your vehicle both looking and functioning as good as new.

Cloudy headlights aren’t something you can just ignore. They’re essential for safety. So a headlight restoration kit is something you’ll probably have to pick up at some point or another.

Be sure to consider application method, product quality, quantity, and durability when selecting the best clear coat for headlights restoration. Reach this article carefully and go on to decide the best product for you.