How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Headlight Cover?

Thinking of Safeguarding Your Car Headlights?

With the best headlight cover, you can dress up your car, SUV or truck headlights and protect from weather elements. The right headlight cover also protects the headlight lens from stone chips, minor abrasions, and bug splatters.

As an aftermarket modification, it’s made from different materials. They include poly carbonate, metal, and self-adhesive vinyl. These materials help to reduce the light transmitted or tint the color of your headlights.

Want to know how to install the headlight cover and costs?

In this post, we cover the replacement of a headlight cover and costs involved.

What Is the Cost of Replacing Headlight Covers? 

Headlights are very important to your safety when driving on the road. As such, it’s logical to protect them. One of the best components that can protect your car headlights is headlight covers.

Driving without headlight covers leaves your headlights unprotected. As such, you risk denting the housing and cracking the lens. How? As you drive, the car wheels kick up gravel. Even a minor impact can crack the car lens and take a toll on your headlights.

Headlight covers go all the way back to World War II. At the time, military and civil authorities enforced blackouts as well as brownouts. Simply put, they restricted the use of car headlights when transporting military supplies.

The reason for this policy was to reduce detection by enemy crafts. Brownouts and blackouts were done by limiting light emissions using masks and hoods. Today, headlight covers are still in use in military and civilian vehicles.

They reduce transmitted light and protect the headlights. Even racing cars have protective headlight cover film to reduce abrasion in the harsh and sandy environment. Want to know how much it costs to replace a headlight cover?

The cost to replace the headlight cover varies with the car’s make and model. Also, it depends on whether you will be installing the headlight cover or have it done by a professional mechanic.

Here is what you need to know. Replacing the headlight cover yourself is affordable. Why? You will not incur the cost of labor. Problem is, if you lack the skills, you may end up damaging the housing or the car headlight lens.

Having a professional mechanic replace the headlight cover will be at a considerably higher cost. Based on research, the average cost for replacing a car headlight assembly ranges between $250 to $700. For the headlight cover, the cost is typically between $75 and $200.

Want to save money on a headlight cover? Start by comparing prices for headlight covers online. Several online retailers offer original manufacturer headlight covers. Also, they sell at a much cheaper price compared to your local dealer.

Another way to save money is to learn how to replace the headlight cover yourself. Want to know how to replace a headlight cover.

Here is a step by step guide for replacing your headlight cover.

Replacing Your Car Headlight Cover – Step by Step Guide  

Headlight covers add a finished look and sleekness to the front end of your car. Not only will you be the envy of other drivers but you will protect the car lens from abrasion and weather elements.

Here is how to replace your car headlight cover.

Shop for the Best Headlight Cover  

• Search for Online Retailers

In 2019, more than 76% of US adults shop online. Of these, 25% who shop online did so once a month while 16% shopped online once a week. To find an online retailer who stocks original headlight covers, use your favorite search engine.

Try using a keyword such as “headlight cover” and browse through the results.

• Compare Headlight Covers  

From the search results, you can open five or 10 of the top online retailers in different tabs on your browser. By doing so, you can compare product features and prices across different retailers. This can save you a lot of money.

Once you find the best headlight cover, buy and have them shipped to your home. Remember, buy the right headlight covers for your car make and model.

Replace the Headlight Cover  

• Unmount the Old Covers  

Your new headlight covers are a good replacement for your broken or cracked covers. Before installing the new headlight covers, unmount the old covers. For a clean revitalized look, use a screwdriver. Remember, do not rush the process as you may end up scratching the headlight lens.

• Snap-On the New Headlight Covers  

Now that you have the shipped headlight covers, it’s time to replace the old covers. On a typical car, snap on or hook and loop the headlight covers. Start with the right headlight followed by the left headlight.

The whole process takes a few minutes to complete.

• Use Automotive-Grade Tape  

As you shop for automotive-grade tape, you will come across different grades. Some tapes join electrical connections while others mask cars before painting. The PVC electrical tapes are pressure-sensitive but they are not all created equally. To use automotive grade tape for attachment, cut to size and press into place. No holes, no mess.

Using the attachment tape provides a strong and secure bond. In fact, it will hold strong in any weather or road condition.

We recommend 3M super strong automotive attachment tape for superior results.

Professional Replacement  

• Drive to the Nearest Mechanic  

To find a trusted mechanic near you, use your favorite search engine. For example, if you live in New York, you can use the following keyword “mechanic New York” or “professional New York mechanic.”

Professionals specialize in the service and repair of cars. They are highly skilled and experienced plus they have the right equipment and parts for different repairs. Want to avoid crooked “mechanics” and find a trustworthy and dependable mechanic?

Here is how to find a great mechanic. Seek recommendations from family and friends. Read online reviews, both good and bad. Check the Better Business Bureau to find out the mechanic’s ratings.

Look for a mechanic from the AAA approved auto repair network. Make sure the mechanic has certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Once you have 5 to 10 candidates, make a quick call to find out if they offer free estimates.

A trustworthy and dependable mechanic will have no problem giving you a written estimate.

• Headlight Cover Replacement  

There are headlight covers that require professional installation. If the manufacturer recommends professional attachment, do not attempt DIY. Any damage done to the cover may void the warranty.

Amazon Recommended!

Wrapping Up

Replacing headlight covers is very easy. It takes no more than 20 minutes. Once you replace the old covers, your car headlights will experience premium protection. Not only will the cover protect from weather elements but gravel and rocks too.

With your headlights in good condition, you can drive safely at night, in foggy weather and during heavy rainfall. Your car will be visible to oncoming cars and on top of that, the police will not stop your car and penalize you.

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