Headlight Restoration vs Replacement
Updated October 9, 2026 4 min readBy Dominick, owner of Slums Mobile Detailing
New headlight housings can cost hundreds per side. Most of the time you don't need them.
Is it better to restore or replace headlights?
Restoration is better in most cases: it costs a fraction of replacement and lasts years with a UV topcoat. Replacement makes sense when the housing is cracked, has internal moisture or fogging inside, broken mounting tabs, or failed internal reflectors.
- Restore: haze, yellowing, rough surface
- Replace: cracks, moisture inside, burnt reflectors
Cost comparison
Slums restores both headlights at your home for a flat, condition-based price: $150 faded, $165 yellowed, $185 damaged — including a UV-blocking protective topcoat. New OEM housings commonly run hundreds of dollars or more per pair before installation.