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Do your headlights look like the right side of that headlight? The right side of that light is opaque from the deterioration of the original UV coating; the left side of the headlight has been reconditioned.
Much like old scotch tape that yellows and becomes brittle with age, the outer surface of headlights develop many tiny cracks. Over time, the amount of light, width of the beam, and perceived brightness of your headlights will begin to deteriorate. This is obviously troubling as obstacles may be harder to see at night. The clarity of headlight lenses is also a State Inspection item in Virginia, so having them reconditioned may be required.
Headlights are reconditioned by taping off the painted areas around the headlight and applying a compound. Next the mechanic uses increasing grits of sandpaper to reveal a clearer lens underneath. Last, they apply a clear acrylic coating that has to dry for several hours indoors.
There are kits available that let you polish the lens at home, but without the last critical step (applying the new acrylic coating) the headlight is left unsealed and will deteriorate even more quickly.
http://www.americanprideautomotive.com