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(502) 203-0454 for Bashford Ave or (502) 230-4279 for the Preston Hwy location | 3435 Bashford Ave Ct Louisville, KY 40218

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Archive for December 2025

Let's Clear Some Things Up (Headlight Restoration)

Posted December 7, 2025 1:35 AM

You know how exposing your skin to sunlight can cause sunburn and other unhealthy things.  Sunlight can also create major problems for your headlights.  After they've been exposed to ultraviolet light, acrylic headlights can yellow and fog due to oxidation.  And when that happens, less light can pass through the plastic, reducing the effectiveness—and safety—of your headlights. 

It's not just the UV light that causes headlights to turn cloudy.  Road grime and debris gets kicked up and can scratch the plastic, diffusing the light that should pass through them when they're clear.  Plus, when your vehicle was new from the factory, the headlights had watertight seals all around to prevent moisture from getting into them and fogging them up with water vapor.  Just like clouds can hide the sun, tiny water molecules can diffuse the light from your headlight bulbs. 

Sure, you could buy replacement parts and start fresh.  But the good news is many vehicle repair facilities can restore your original headlights to perform like they did when you first bought your vehicle.  Here's how it works:

  • A technician will protect your vehicle's paint by either taking the headlights out or by taping off the paint near the headlights and leaving them in place.
  • Residue is removed from the headlight surfaces by wet sanding to remove the oxidized plastic.
  • Using special compounds, the technician will buff and polish the surface of the lens so it looks as smooth as glass. 
  • The newly-polished plastic is then sealed with wax or a special sealant designed to keep them operating like new. 
  • If the seals that keep the moisture out of the inside of your headlights have dried out or cracked, they will be restored or replaced to keep condensation from forming again.

Visibility at night is vital for safe driving, and if your headlights aren't performing up to their potential, the less you'll be able to see ahead of you.

There are many advantages of having your headlights restored rather than buying new or aftermarket replacements.  It's friendlier to the planet since plastics are made of oil, so it's reducing the amount of plastic that is manufactured.  And it's usually cheaper to have your headlights restored rather than replaced.

Consider headlight restoration a way to literally recycle those parts of your vehicle.  That seems to be perfectly clear!

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355
http://www.americanbrakecenters.biz



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What Our Customers Are Saying

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I was recommended to American brake Center a couple years ago. I have taken several of our families vehicles there for several different things. I am skeptical of mechanics in general. However, the owner and his employees do really good work. They appear to be very trustworthy and their prices are good. It’s hard to find a good mechanic you can trust. They are always honest and if they cannot fix it for whatever reason, they will recommend a place that can do the work and would be trustworthy. I highly recommend American Brake Center.

, 10/29/2025

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You won't find a more trustworthy auto-repair shop in Louisville. I've been bringing my vehicles here for several years now, and I highly recommend American Brakes to all my family and friends. Scott has his customers' best interests at heart. It's affordable and leaves you feeling worry-free with their excellent customer service and expert analysis.

, 07/18/2025

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The crew here has been incredibly effective, prompt, knowledgeable, and kind. I came in for a second opinion on an AC repair and not only did they save me a significant amount of money, but they also had the work finished the same day I dropped it off. Their honesty and efficiency really stood out. I’ll definitely be bringing my business here from now on.

, 07/03/2025

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I had my rotors and brake pads replaced here a few months ago. Recently my brakes started squeaking again. Since it was still under warranty, I brought my truck back and they fixed the issue within a day. Another shop quoted me almost double for what I paid originally.

, 07/01/2025

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Great service at a great price!

, 03/05/2025

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Just want to give a shoutout to American Brake Centers Inc - Preston Hwy. I needed new brakes and rotors, and took my car to a different company for an estimate — they were going to charge me over $1200 for new front brakes, rotors, and left front caliper. I called American Brake Center for a quote, they would charge half of that - but wanted to make sure I actually needed a new caliper instead of taking the other shop’s word for it. Scott at American Brake Center got me in and out super fast, and also ordered some new front tires for me after pointing out how bad my tread was looking (I had been tire shopping) - even with the new front tires, I was still paying $400 less than what I would have paid for brakes/rotors/caliper at the other place. Highly recommend this place! You can also stop at Sichuan House for lunch or dinner on your way home 😉

, 01/24/2025

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