Headlight restoration
Plastic headlights turn yellow and cloudy in the sun. It isn't just about looks: a cloudy headlight gives less light and can cause trouble at the ITV (MOT).
Why restore your headlights
See and be seen
A cloudy headlight scatters light and reduces what you can see at night, just when you need it most on unlit roads.
The southern sun is hard on them
Strong sunlight wears away the headlight's factory protective coating, and from then on the plastic yellows quickly.
The car looks transformed
Clear headlights make a big difference to how a car looks, especially if you're selling it.
What's included
Restoring a headlight isn't just about making it shine. What matters is protecting it afterwards so it doesn't deteriorate again straight away.
Headlight assessment
We check whether the damage is only on the outside or whether there's moisture, cracks or burnt reflectors inside.
Progressive sanding
We remove the degraded, yellowed layer with progressively finer abrasives, protecting the surrounding paint.
Polishing
We polish the lens until it's clear again.
UV protection
We apply a UV-protective coating, which is key to making the result last under the Tenerife sun.
If the headlight has moisture inside, cracks or a damaged inner reflector, restoring the outside won't fix it. In that case the right answer is replacement, and we'll say so in the estimate.
Why headlights turn yellow
Most modern headlights have polycarbonate lenses, a light plastic that resists impacts well. From the factory they carry a protective coating that filters UV rays. Over the years, sun, washing and sand hitting the front of the car wear that coating away. Once it's gone, the plastic is exposed and starts to oxidise: it yellows, loses clarity and develops tiny surface cracks.
In southern Tenerife the process is quicker than in many places, because cars spend long hours in the sun, often parked on the street. That's why it's common to see fairly recent cars with headlights that are already cloudy. Cars parked facing south, or that spend the day at the beach or in open-air car parks, tend to go first.
How we restore them
We mask off the bodywork around the headlight so the paint isn't damaged. Then we sand the lens in stages, starting with a grit that removes the yellowed layer and finishing with very fine grits. Next comes polishing to bring back clarity. The last step is the most important one: applying new UV protection. Without it, a polished headlight turns yellow again before long.
- Headlights that look yellow or misty.
- Dipped beam that gives weak or diffuse light.
- A surface that feels rough or shows fine cracks.
- A visible difference between the two headlights after one was replaced.
Headlights, safety and the ITV
A cloudy headlight doesn't just give less light: it also scatters the beam unevenly and can dazzle oncoming drivers. On roads like the climbs up to Teide or unlit stretches at night, you notice the difference. The ITV (the Spanish equivalent of the MOT) checks the condition and operation of your lights, so it's worth keeping them in good shape.
If your inspection is coming up, you can have us look over the bodywork at the same time with our bodywork and paint report. And if a headlight is broken after a knock, it will most likely need replacing; if another vehicle was involved, our insurer liaison service can help.
Ask for an estimate by sending us a photo of your headlights. We'll tell you whether restoring them makes sense or whether replacing them is the better option.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a headlight restoration last?
It depends on how much sun the car gets and how it's looked after. The final UV protection is what makes the difference; without it, the yellowing soon comes back.
Doesn't toothpaste or a supermarket kit do the job?
Those tricks can improve the look for a while, but without UV protection afterwards the headlight soon yellows again, sometimes worse than before.
Can a headlight with moisture inside be restored?
Restoration works on the outside of the lens. If moisture is getting in, it's usually down to seals or cracks, and replacing the headlight is the usual answer.
Does it take long?
It's normally a job that doesn't keep the car with us for days. We confirm the time once we've seen the state of the headlights.
We work with your insurance company
If your car has suffered an incident covered by your insurance, you don't have to be the go-between: we coordinate with your insurer and its loss adjuster so the repair is authorised and done properly.
It's one of the reasons many customers come to us: less paperwork, fewer phone calls and the car back the way it should be.
How we handle it- You choose the garageAs a rule you can take your car to the garage you prefer; we help you check what your policy says.
- We deal with the loss adjusterWe prepare the damage assessment and go through it with your insurer's loss adjuster.
- We collect and deliverIf it suits you better, we pick the car up and bring it back repaired.
- We keep you postedYou always know what stage the repair is at.
Other bodywork and paint services
Panel repair
We straighten, repair or replace damaged body panels and get them ready for paint.
See serviceDents and dings
Car park dings, door knocks and minor dents: we remove them, often without the need to repaint.
See serviceAccident repair
From the claim to handover: we repair bodywork, structure and paint after an accident and work with your insurer.
See serviceChassis jig and structural repair
We check and correct your car's structure on a chassis jig after heavy impacts, bringing it back to factory measurements.
See serviceFull respray
We paint the whole car, in its original colour or a new one, with thorough preparation and a lifetime paint warranty.
See servicePartial respray
We paint only the damaged panel or area and match the colour so there's no visible difference with the rest.
See serviceWhat people often believe, and what actually happens
Six ideas we often hear at the garage that are worth clearing up.
“A car that's been in an accident is never right again.”
If the structure is brought back to its measurements on a jig and joints, sealing and protection are reproduced as at the factory, the repair is sound and safe.
“My insurer decides where my car is repaired.”
As a rule you can choose the garage. Some policies offer perks at their partner garages: we help you read yours before you decide.
“A small dent can wait.”
A scrape that lifts the paint leaves bare metal exposed. With the sun and salty air in the south of the island, corrosion sets in sooner than you think.
“Eco-friendly paint is lower quality.”
A paint with fewer solvents can give an equally durable finish. What makes the difference is the preparation and the application.
“A used car that looks good has never been in a crash.”
A well-polished respray can go unnoticed at first glance. A paint thickness gauge and a check of panel gaps, sealing and welds give it away.
“It doesn't matter where it's painted: paint is paint.”
What you can't see —surface preparation, anti-corrosion protection and painting in a booth— is what decides how long the repair lasts.
Shall we prepare an estimate?
Tell us what your car needs and we'll reply with a written estimate, with no obligation.
Do the online check-in: your details, the vehicle and photos of the damage, from your phone before you come.
Check your car in online- Written estimateBefore we start you know what will be done and what it costs.
- No obligationWe give you the estimate; you decide.
- Collection & deliveryIf it suits you, we come and pick up the car.
Request an estimate
Tell us what's wrong with the car. For bodywork or paint, photos via WhatsApp help a lot.
Rather talk? Call us on 922 73 64 47 or message us on WhatsApp at 674 06 13 71.