Headlight Restoration
Don't replace—restore. We bring your dull, yellowed headlights back to crystal clear condition for a fraction of the replacement cost.
Restore My LightsOur Restoration Process
Multi-Stage Wet Sanding
We actively remove the layer of dead, oxidized plastic using progressively finer grades of sandpaper until the surface is smooth.
Compound & Polish
Using machine polishers and specialized compounds, we refine the sanding marks to bring back optical clarity and shine.
UV Protection Sealant
Crucial Step: We apply a ceramic coating or dedicated UV sealant to prevent the headlights from fading again.
Signs Your Headlights Need Restoration
Oxidation is progressive. Catching it early means a full restoration; waiting until the lens is pitted or cracked means replacement.
Yellow or cloudy lenses
Clear plastic with a faint yellow tint or hazy fog means the UV coating has broken down. This is the most common visible stage.
Reduced beam distance
If your low-beams stop illuminating as far as they used to, the lens is scattering light instead of focusing it forward.
Oncoming driver glare
Oxidized lenses diffuse light sideways and upward instead of down the road — you see less, and other drivers get more glare.
Moisture inside the housing
If the lens seal is compromised, condensation forms inside. Early restoration with a proper UV reseal can prevent full assembly replacement.
Why Restore Instead of Replace
Most Scarborough vehicles hit 3–5 years of age with visible headlight oxidation — the combination of Ontario UV, road salt, bug acids, and winter sand accelerates breakdown of the factory UV coating. Replacing an OEM headlight assembly on a common GTA vehicle typically runs $400–$1,200+ per side, plus installation. Aftermarket assemblies are cheaper but often ship without proper sealing or beam alignment.
A professional restoration at our Finchdene Square studio starts at $79 for both headlights (heavier oxidation runs $120–$180) and finishes with a ceramic UV seal that prevents re-oxidation for 2–4 years. We've restored lenses on vehicles from all over the GTA — Toyota Camrys and Honda Civics from Agincourt and Malvern, Ford F-150s from Pickering and Markham Road, Tesla Model Ys from Markham, and dozens of Scarborough daily drivers where clear factory headlights are long gone.
If your lenses are cracked, pitted, or have internal condensation from a broken housing seal, restoration won't help — we'll tell you upfront. Most cases we see are surface oxidation only, which responds fully to proper wet-sanding and resealing.
Looking for related paint work? Paint correction handles swirl marks and oxidation on body panels, and ceramic coating protects the full vehicle paint long-term.
Lifetime Tint Warranty
Every LLUMAR window film installation is backed by a manufacturer lifetime warranty.
Authorized LLUMAR Dealer
We install authorized LLUMAR window films and use professional-grade detailing products.
5-Star Rated
Consistently 5-star rated by customers across Scarborough and the Greater Toronto Area.
Satisfaction-Focused
We walk every customer through the finished work before handing the keys back.
Headlight Restoration FAQs
Why do headlights turn yellow?
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Factory headlight lenses come with a UV coating. Over time (usually 3–5 years in GTA conditions), sunlight breaks this coating down, causing the polycarbonate plastic to oxidize and turn yellow or cloudy. Once the coating is gone, acid rain, road salt spray, and bug splatter accelerate the damage.
How much does headlight restoration cost in Scarborough?
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Headlight restoration at Beyond Detail starts at $79 for both headlights — multi-stage wet sanding, compound polish, and a UV-resistant ceramic seal. Severely oxidized or pitted lenses with deeper damage run $120–$180. Compare that to $400–$1,200+ per side for OEM headlight assembly replacement.
How long does restoration last?
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We finish every restoration with a ceramic coating on the lens to seal it. In GTA conditions that typically means 2–4 years before any noticeable yellowing returns, compared to 4–8 months for retail restoration kits that skip the UV seal step. A quick annual maintenance polish extends life further.
Does it improve visibility at night?
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Yes — restored headlights can improve light output by up to 50–80% depending on how oxidized they were. That translates to a measurable increase in usable beam distance, which matters on unlit stretches of Kingston Road, Old Finch Avenue, or the 401 corridor at night.
Can I just buy a headlight restoration kit instead?
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Retail kits can work for mild haze, but most skip the critical step: sealing the lens with a UV-resistant coating after polishing. Without that seal, the fresh plastic re-oxidizes within months. The cost of repeated retail kits often exceeds a single professional restoration that lasts years.
Will my headlights pass a safety inspection after restoration?
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Yes. Restored headlights that project a focused, bright beam meet Ministry of Transportation visibility standards. If lenses are cracked or have internal damage (not just surface oxidation), replacement is still required — we'll tell you upfront if your lenses are beyond restoration.
Where in Scarborough is your studio?
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Our studio is at 170 Finchdene Square, Scarborough, just south of Finch Avenue East near Markham Road. Most headlight restorations are completed in 2–3 hours. We're centrally located for clients across Scarborough, Markham, North York, and the surrounding GTA.