I'll tell you all about it Headlight and light restoration: how I restored my classic car's original shineStay until the end to understand.
If there's one thing that distinguishes a classic car from any other vehicle on the road, it's its details. The body lines, the sound of the engine, the chrome trim... but there's one element that many overlook and that, when in poor condition, completely ruins the car's aesthetics: the lights and headlights.
It doesn't matter if you have the most beautifully restored classic car in the world; if your headlights are dull, yellowed, or cracked, your car will look old and neglected.
So when I finished restoring my 1967 Mustang FastbackI looked at the headlights and taillights and realized something wasn't right. The whole car gleamed with its new Highland Green finish… except for the headlights and taillights, which looked like they'd come from a junkyard.
I knew I had two options: buy new headlights (expensive and hard to find in their original version) or restore them myself.
Being the stubborn person I am, I opted for the second option. And what an adventure I got myself into.
+For you: How much I spent to restore a classic car: my experience
The initial state: a disaster in the form of plastic and glass
The first thing I did was remove the headlights and taillights to assess the damage. And that's when I realized the magnitude of the problem:
- Headlights: Completely opaque, with a yellowish hue that looked like something out of a 90s taxi. Plus, they had small scratches and dirt embedded inside.
- Rear lights: Worn plastic, with small cracks and a red color that had lost all intensity.
- Chrome around the headlights: Worn, with rust on the corners.
It wasn't going to be easy. But I had already come too far in restoring this car to give up now.
Step 1: Headlight Restoration
Sanding: The trick to removing yellowing and scratches
The first thing I did was try the typical toothpaste and baking soda method to remove yellowing from headlights. It didn't work.
So I decided to play it safe: sandpaper and patience.
- I started with one 800 grit sandpaper and I gradually went up to 3000. Yes, 3000.
- I sanded in constant, circular motions, wetting the surface every so often to avoid damaging it.
- When I finished, the headlights seemed even dimmer than before. I nearly had a heart attack.
But here comes the magic: the polishing.
Polished and buffed: the moment I regained hope
After sanding, I used a special plastic polisher on an electric polisher. In less than 10 minutes, the dullness disappeared and an incredible shine began to emerge.
To finish, I applied a coat of UV sealant, because otherwise, in a few weeks the sun would do its thing again and all my efforts would be wasted.
The result: the headlights looked like new.
But there was still work to be done…
Step 2: Removing the taillights
Here the story was different. While the headlights were made of glass and clear plastic, the taillights were made of a thicker red plastic.
The problem was that they were not only dull, but they had lost intensity of their original color.
I searched for several solutions until I found the right one: translucent plastic dye.
The Process (and How I Almost Messed Up Everything)
- Light sanding: I couldn't sand too much because the plastic was more delicate, so I used 2000 grit sandpaper just to remove surface imperfections.
- Manual polishing: With a little plastic polish and a microfiber cloth.
- Special dye for red plastics: This is where I almost messed up. I applied too much the first time and it ended up with uneven spots.. I had to sand a little again and reapply more carefully.
- Final sealing: With a layer of UV protective varnish to make the color last longer.
When I finished, I couldn't believe it: the taillights were the same deep red hue as when the car left the factory.
Step 3: Restoring the chrome
I couldn't leave the headlights and lights spotless with the chrome frames full of rust and wear.
So I tried an old trick: aluminum foil and Coca-Cola.
- I rubbed the chrome with aluminum foil soaked in Coca-Cola, and little by little, the rust began to disappear.
- Then I applied a special metal polish and made them shine like new.
It was the perfect finishing touch.
The final result: a brutal difference
After all the work, I reassembled the headlights, taillights, and their respective chrome surrounds. I stepped back a few steps, and there it was, my Mustang shining like it had just rolled off the production line in 1967.
I turned on the lights and the change was impressive: powerful white headlights, deep red taillights, and chrome that reflected every ray of sunlight.
Was it worth all the effort? Absolutely.
Final tips if you want to restore the lights of your classic
If you're thinking of doing the same to your classic car, here are some tips I learned along the way:
- Don't use cheap tricks. Toothpaste doesn't work miracles, and some products on the market only hide the problem instead of solving it.
- Sanding is key. If you don't do it right, the headlight could end up worse than it was.
- Polishing is where the magic happens. Investing in a good polisher and electric buffer makes all the difference.
- Protect the final work. Use UV sealant or varnish to prevent the sun from ruining everything in a few weeks.
- If the rear plastics have lost their color, a special tint can save them. But apply it carefully.
Small details that make a big difference
Restoring a classic car is a challenging process, but every detail counts. The lights and headlights are the car's "eye," and if they're in poor condition, the classic car loses much of its charm.
Now, every time I turn on my Mustang's lights and see them shining like they did in their prime, I realize that all the effort was worth it.
So, if you have a classic car with dull headlights or faded taillights, give them a try. It's easier than it seems, and the difference is dramatic.
Now tell me, have you ever restored the lights on a classic car? What method did you use? Let me know in the comments!
Passionate about classic cars for as long as he can remember, Javier Montoro has dedicated his life to the search, restoration, and preservation of true gems on wheels. With years of experience purchasing, restoring, and maintaining vintage vehicles, he shares his knowledge, stories, and lessons learned on this blog.