1 to 3 years for most cars when paired with a UV-protective sealant — significantly longer than the 6-month results from a DIY kit. Lifespan depends on how much sun the car sees: garaged daily-driver, expect closer to 3 years; cars parked outside year-round in Richmond sun, expect 12 to 18 months before the haze starts coming back.
The variable is UV protection, not the polishing. Anyone can polish a headlight back to clear; the UV sealant we apply afterward is what slows the re-oxidation. Without sealant the polished surface starts hazing within months because we removed the factory UV layer to get to the clear plastic underneath.
When the haze starts coming back: book a re-restoration. The second restoration is faster and cheaper because there is much less material to remove the second time. Many customers book annual maintenance to keep headlights clear indefinitely without ever replacing them.
