What are our Headlight Options in 2026?

Deathacus · May 6, 2026

What options are left for headlights? I mean, good clean headlights? Fishtanks and side markers?

I did a quick search but didn't come up with much as far as aftermarket is concerned. Like, not even out of stock listings.
There's a great sticky on cleaning old lights, but I have my concerns as to how long that will last. Do they not yellow faster after that? Maybe NoSlo can chime in on that. Maybe And the old yellow glue?
How 'bout them side markers. Dirt leaching into the sides and stuff.

Headlights are yellow, side's are dirty, knees weak, arms spaghetti.

Irish Pride · May 6, 2026

Sand them down(400, 800, 1500, 2000, 3000) and then polish them with a cutting compound. I like Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. Once you sand them you only need to polish a few times a year to maintain.

Or you can sand them up to 800 and then spray them with a 2K clear. The 2K will last a long time without maintenance but it's costly stuff with a shelf life.

-Chad

zak · May 11, 2026

The problem with the sanding technique is you are removing the UV protection built into the lens, plus the 3 nubs used for headlight aiming are difficult to remove. Somewhere have the name of a really high end UV coating detailers use (AC something) that you can apply after polish but it only lasts 4 years vs 10 for factory applied coatings.
Finally, recently dug out a very nice pair of ~ 50 K mile Sable headlights I've had stowed for decades only to have the buyer change their mind about what they planned to do with the car. If interested PM me.

Tbird6 · May 11, 2026

If you clear coat them that provides the UV protection.

I never sand the nubs off. I just work around them.
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zak · May 11, 2026

Make sure the 2K clear you use is formulated for polycarbonate, otherwise it can craze (crack).

ScotSHO · May 11, 2026

This is an option - bake them, pry the lenses off, mount projectors in them, epoxy them in, remove the lense nubs with a dremel, sand down the lenses and 2k clear them.

The knockoff Morimoto projectors worked well and they use an H1 bulb. So I went with a 30,000LM LED 6500k bulb. I’m not a fan of the color temperature, but that is what’s out there.

The projectors have a high beam shutter, so I had to modify the headlight wiring with a relay to work right. I also added a dc/dc voltage regulator to ensure no LED flickering.

End result is 1000 times better night vision.

ScotSHO · May 11, 2026

Here’s a picture of one lense sanded and 2k cleared and one faded/natural for comparison.

Devin · May 12, 2026

I'm using some Amazon LEDs in my gen 1. The lights themselves function fine but are causing flicker on other LEDs in that circuit, mainly the license plate lights.

Deathacus · May 17, 2026

Tried emailing DEPO. As a large, reputable manufacturer, naturally they have no interest in responding to any customer service emails. Apparently that's the trendy thing now.

So, I might give the micromesh a try, and I've heard of a product from SprayMax that is made for headlights, unless y'all know of anything better.
How 'bout the dirty edges of the side markers? And since the car is parked outside, is there like, a good cover that might further protect these? Like, maybe the GTS covers that SHOSource sells? Not looking to drive with them, just cover them in the off season.

zak · May 18, 2026

Deathcus I sent you a PM about a nice pair of Sable OEM headlamps have had squirreled away for 20 years they had 50 k miles when I got them. Beam pattern on the DEPO not as good in my opinion.

Deathacus · May 18, 2026

What are we using to glue things back together? On of my side markers is starting to peel away, and I'm getting condensation in one of my fog lights

What are our Headlight Options in 2026?

Deathacus

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