Test report: clean / polish up yellowed headlights!

Recently updated on January 27, 2022 at 10:49 am

We used the time again and tried a product. This time it got a so-called from the manufacturer "Presto" Headlight preparation set. It should make yellowed and matt headlights shine again in their old splendor at a price of around € 16. You can read step by step how to use the product in the gallery below if you are interested in trying out this or a similar product on your vehicle. But first it should be said: It is fundamental verbotento polish the headlights. When the plastic is removed during polishing, they are structurally changed. As a result, there are problems with the type approval according to § 22a Paragraph 7 StVZO. You can find more information on this in our separate article! 

For around 16 € new lights?

Depending on the product used, the result can of course differ to some extent. Therefore, our experience should not be a flat rate! And also with regard to the product of Presto the result is clearly visible, but there is no essential difference. And it shouldn't really be permanent either. If you briefly think about whether a lasting success can be achieved with costs of around 16 €, then the answer is actually already obvious. We have strictly adhered to the instructions and in the end we enjoy an estimated 25% less yellowing and an improvement in luminosity in the dark that is NOT VISIBLE for us. The sandpaper supplied starts with a grain size of 2000, over 3000 and finally there is a 5000 sanding. The tiny Pieces of paper included in the scope of delivery are, in our opinion, absolutely ridiculous if you don't just want to use them to prepare a small fog light. Even then, it should NOT be enough! For two big headlights, it's plain and simple unacceptable. Would the production costs have been so much higher with variants in A4 format? Definitely a success with the micro-paper after finishing work is probably only the biceps of the dragging arm. We almost threatened to fall off during the various work processes.

In contrast, the so-called "Headlight restorer"(Polish) and also the" Headlight Lens Sealer "(sealing) are sufficient. At the end of the work step, a less pronounced yellowing can definitely be seen, but if you look at the headlight from close up, the fine-pored, damaged surface of the lights is virtually unchanged. And that is understandable too! How can one with what feels like 2 × 2 centimeters sandpaper that with a 2000 grit "starts“Achieve a significant removal over the entire surface of the headlight? The supplied polish only partially fills the microscopic impacts and this, in combination with the sealing, works to reduce yellowing for a short time. However, this effect should have disappeared again after a very short time, 2 to 3 times the car wash, and the usual weather influences. We're pretty sure about the home remedy Toothpaste to be able to achieve at least this result for a fraction of the cost. Conclusion: hands off!

We have published countless more tuning reports on tuningblog.eu. If you wanted to see an excerpt then just click HERE, And also interesting products around the topic Cars and Car tuning we've already tried it. We have included an extract from the last ones for you:

a few more DIY tutorials on the subject

prepare the headlight with Colgate

Make MATTE headlights SHINY again

Polish blind headlights clear with toothpaste

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