If you're the owner of an antique car, you already know how difficult it can be to find authentic replacement parts. So when something is damaged or showing signs of wear, the need to take care of it may be a little more pressing. Fortunately, when it comes to restoring vintage headlights, some issues can be easily fixed by anyone with a little know-how. Here’s how to clean and restore the foggy or discolored headlights on your vintage car.

How to Restore Headlights on an Antique Car

1. Prepare in Advance

Before beginning restoration work on vintage headlights, move your vehicle into a cool, well-shaded area. Be sure to provide plenty of light to help you spot tiny scratches and imperfections in the glass, but avoid turning on your car's headlights to avoid burning yourself or shattering the fragile glass.

To protect delicate paint, chrome, or vintage finishings, be sure to use tape that’s easy to remove, such as painter’s tape, to surround the perimeter of the headlight. Additionally, be sure your headlights are both clean and completely dry before getting started.

2. Buff With Sandpaper

Using wet 1500-grit sandpaper, gently sand the entire headlight in a straight, up-and-down motion, being sure to repeat the motion consistently, from start to finish. Use even pressure and avoid pressing too hard. Changing the order of your motion or using excessive force can lead to additional scratching.

Once you've completed the surface of the headlight, rinse it with plenty of clean water, using a sponge to remove any buildup left behind by the sandpaper. If you still see scratches upon completion, repeat the sanding process, using higher-grit sandpaper if needed. 

3. Polish, Deoxidize, & Seal

Restore your headlight's luster and shine by polishing the entire headlight with a microfiber or similar soft, lint-free cloth and a high-quality plastic polish compound. Prevent further oxidization by treating your clean and polished headlights with headlight deoxidizer, which is designed to increase brightness and shine while reducing cloudiness. Finally, finish with a UV sealant that can help with water resistance while protecting your headlights from damaging solar rays.

For a car lover’s dream of antique models and vintage parts, visit the Charlotte AutoFair in Charlotte, NC. The largest antique car destination in the Southeast, the biannual event takes place over four days in the spring and fall and features more than 10,000 car collectors, sellers, and buyers in addition to car club booths, automotive products, and fair vendors spread out across 150 acres. To sign up as a vendor or attend as a guest, call (704) 841-1990 or visit them online for more information.