New aftermarket or great used headlights?

[ArmyGrunt66]

Hello all,

Should I get new aftermarket headlights which usually last a few years until the lenses start to peel OR get some really great condition OEM headlights for twice the price? Dont know if you can buff the cheap lights or original lights to freshen their appearance? Thanks for any advice.

Kevin.

 

[kad]

I've done polish jobs on old yellowed headlights (both OEM and aftermarket) with fantastic results with a simple $30 kit from the parts store.

-K

 

[NJMOPAR]

Are your lights damaged or you just want something different?

 

[ArmyGrunt66]

I've done polish jobs on old yellowed headlights (both OEM and aftermarket) with fantastic results with a simple $30 kit from the parts store.

-K

Great, wasn't sure how good those headlight refinishing kits work, I used one that wasn't the one with the buffer wheel, results were okay but not back to almost new. Thanks man.

 

[NJMOPAR]

My trick with those headlight restorer polishes is let it dry completely, then use Windex & paper towels to remove it. I've made yellow lenses crystal clear this way.

 

[kad]

Great, wasn't sure how good those headlight refinishing kits work, I used one that wasn't the one with the buffer wheel, results were okay but not back to almost new. Thanks man.

I used the one with the little buffer wheel and when I sold the truck a year later the new owner was convinced I'd replaced the headlights with brand new ones. (I'd told her the truth, she just didn't believe me)

-K

 

[misfit77]

U can probbaly score good orm headlights on Craigslist.

I got a pair for $75 and used them to paint black. Still have originals if i want to go back

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

 

[ArmyGrunt66]

Are your lights damaged or you just want something different?

Good morning

My current aftermarket lights have the lens coating peeling and flaking off, I was weighing the options of the quality of used OEM or aftermarket lights, the peeling and flaking always occurs with the aftermarket lights and I never saw the results of those headlight restoration kits while addressing the peeling and flaking of the lens coating.

 

[ArmyGrunt66]

U can probbaly score good orm headlights on Craigslist.

I got a pair for $75 and used them to paint black. Still have originals if i want to go back

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Good morning

Yea, there's a few used OEM headlights available, not sure if the lens quality is better on the used OEM, the price is double for those oppose to the cheaper made new aftermarket. I can deal with refinishing yellowed headlights but can the aftermarket lights that peel and flake be refinished with the headlight kits. I might be resigned to every few years replacing the cheaper aftermarket lights with a new pair?

 

[joesstripclub]

Either one should be able to be refinished, but aftermarket lights can vary significantly in quality. The issue with refinishing is if you dont seal or protect them somehow they start to look bad again pretty quickly. I have tried simply waxing the headlights in the past and that did not help. I have heard painting them with some clear UV rated spray paint works. I just ceramic coated all my cars so I am seeing how the coating does on the headlights.

 

[ArmyGrunt66]

Good morning

Yea, there's a few used OEM headlights available, not sure if the lens quality is better on the used OEM, the price is double for those oppose to the cheaper made new aftermarket. I can deal with refinishing yellowed headlights but can the aftermarket lights that peel and flake be refinished with the headlight kits. I might be resigned to every few years replacing the cheaper aftermarket lights with a new pair?

Good afternoon

Okay, scored a set of new OEM Dodge Ram 1500 headlights for $278 shipped. The aftermarket lights for me, Ive had four sets between two vehicles in 15 years, they've all began to peel and flake within three years, they're a lot cheaper than OEM new but I figure this time I'll spend a lot more and get a consistant quality of headlight that when needed I can buff out the yellow, never seen an OEM set peel and flake in 20 years.