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Price guide

What headlight restoration costs

See the typical price to restore both headlights at a detailer or repair shop. The range comes from published shop prices and cost guides across the US.

National typical priceAbout $100
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National typical ranges, not a quote. Prices come from published shop price lists and cost guides, last checked October 17, 2026. Local prices vary.

Your car and the work

The range updates as you choose

Vehicle size does not change this price at most shops.

Where the work happens

National typical price · Both headlights

About $100

Most published prices fall from $50 to $150. Your local quote can be outside this range.

Low$50Entry packages and lower-cost areas
Typical$100Near the middle of published prices
High$150Top packages and higher-cost areas

What makes up this range

  1. Both headlights, midsize car$50 to $150$100
  2. Total$50 low · $150 high$100

What drives the price

  • How cloudy the lenses are. Badly yellowed lenses need more sanding steps.
  • Whether a UV-blocking coat is applied after polishing. It is what keeps the haze from coming back fast.
  • Whether it is an add-on to a detail or a single visit.

What a fair quote should include

  • Both lenses, unless you ask for one.
  • The sanding and polishing steps, and the UV-blocking coat applied after.
  • How long the shop expects the result to last.

How this range was formed: Low is the low end of three guides. Typical is the median of the shop prices and guide midpoints ($100). High is near the top shop prices. Badly fogged lenses can cost $200 or more. See the sources.

For detailers: set your own price

These ranges show what customers expect to see. Your price must also cover your own time, products, travel, and business costs.

Headlight restoration prices at a glance

Headlight restoration removes the yellow, cloudy layer from plastic headlight lenses. The detailer sands the lens, polishes it clear, and seals it. Professional restoration of both lenses typically costs about $100 ($50 to $150). Vehicle size does not change the price at most shops.

For detailers

Headlight restoration is a common add-on. Price your time and the sealant with the pricing calculator, and add it to your price list.

How long it lasts

  • How long it lasts: The haze can come back in about a year or two. A UV-blocking clear coat after polishing is what makes the result last. (Sources: CarRepairEstimator.)

Common questions

How much does headlight restoration cost?

Professional restoration of both headlights typically costs about $100, with most prices from $50 to $150. Badly fogged lenses can cost $200 or more.

Is headlight restoration cheaper as an add-on?

Often it is. Many detailers list it as an add-on to a detail. Ask whether the add-on price includes a UV-blocking coat.

How long does headlight restoration last?

The haze can come back in about a year or two. A UV-blocking clear coat after polishing is what makes the result last.

Should I restore or replace a headlight?

Restore a lens that is cloudy on the outside. Replace a headlight that is cracked, has moisture inside, or stays dim after restoration. Replacement costs much more.

Other price estimates

Sources and method

These are national typical ranges, not quotes. Local prices vary with labor costs, the shop, and your car. Every source was last checked on October 17, 2026. Most shop prices are "starting at" prices.

How each range was formed

Each range is for a midsize car. The low end sits near the cheapest entry packages and the low end of the guides. The typical price sits near the median of the shops' main packages and the guide midpoints. The high end sits near the top packages. No range goes past the prices its sources publish. Other vehicle sizes use the median price ratio from shops that publish one price for each size.

  • Both headlights, midsize car: $50 / $100 / $150. Low is the low end of three guides. Typical is the median of the shop prices and guide midpoints ($100). High is near the top shop prices. Badly fogged lenses can cost $200 or more.
  • Trip fee outside the service area: $0 / $0 / $50. Typical is $0, because several mobile detailers state no travel fee inside their area. High is the top trip fee in the Detailing Scout guide.

Sources

  1. Car Detox Orlando: Car Detailing Prices. Shop price list, Orlando, Florida. No page date shown. Checked October 17, 2026. Shop prices by seven vehicle sizes and a quote calculator with condition add-ons. The page title says 2023, so some prices may be older.
  2. CarRepairEstimator: Headlight Restoration Cost: Pro Service vs DIY Kit (2026). Cost guide, United States. Page date October 1, 2026. Checked October 17, 2026. $50 to $155 for both headlights, from national cost guides and 156 Yelp quotes. Says haze can return in about a year or two.
  3. Dennis Auto Details: Car Detailing Prices San Diego 2026. Shop price list, San Diego, California. Page date October 2026. Checked October 17, 2026. Mobile, with no extra charge for mobile service in San Diego County. Five vehicle sizes for each package.
  4. Detailing Scout: Best Mobile Detailing Prices. Cost guide, United States. Page date January 7, 2026. Checked October 17, 2026. Says many mobile detailers include travel within 10 to 20 miles and may charge $15 to $50 beyond that. Based on the author's own bookings.
  5. DetailX Chicago: Car Detailing Pricing Chicago. Shop price list, Chicago, Illinois. No page date shown. Checked October 17, 2026. Mobile. Sedan, SUV, and truck prices for each package, including one ceramic coating package.
  6. Halo Detailing: Mobile Car Detailing Prices for Nashville Drivers. Shop price list, Nashville, Tennessee. Page date December 2, 2025. Checked October 17, 2026. Mobile. Sedan, small SUV, and large SUV/minivan prices. Gives 20% off when the car is dropped off.
  7. Housecall Pro: Car Detailing Prices 2026: Price List & How Much to Charge. Cost guide, United States. Page date October 16, 2026. Checked October 17, 2026. Compiled from CARFAX, Autodetailer, and HomeGuide. The vehicle-size and paint correction ranges are credited to HomeGuide, whose own page blocked automated reading.
  8. Jobber: Car Detailing Prices 2026: How Much to Charge for Detailing Services. Cost guide, United States. Page date April 16, 2026. Checked October 17, 2026. Industry ranges the page credits to sources such as Angi and Mobile Tech RX.
  9. MaxCraft Detailing: Auto Detailing Cost in San Antonio, TX (2026 Prices). Shop price list, San Antonio, Texas. Page date July 2026. Checked October 17, 2026. Own 'from' prices for exterior, interior, and full details, and San Antonio market ranges for washes and add-ons. Says mobile service costs the same as shop service.
  10. Milliren Mobile Detailing: Car Detailing Prices Chicagoland. Shop price list, Chicago suburbs, Illinois. No page date shown. Checked October 17, 2026. Mobile. Starting prices by car, SUV, and truck/van. No travel fee listed.
  11. My Detail Guys: Full Car Detail Fort Worth, TX. Shop price list, Fort Worth, Texas. No page date shown. Checked October 17, 2026. Mobile and shop service. Car, small truck/SUV, and SUV/van/truck prices, plus add-ons.
  12. Ride and Shine Detail: Premium Full Detail Service in NJ. Shop price list, Garfield, New Jersey. No page date shown. Checked October 17, 2026. Mobile, with a shop in Garfield. Coupe, sedan, midsize SUV, and XL prices.