I polished my lights last year and they still look perfect. I guess it just depends on how nitpicky you are when you do it. Then again, I used to be a professional detailer so I use a high speed polisher and some different product instead of those kits from the store. Ideally though, a good polish job and then covering them with the 3M stoneguard or lexan, like Rowhard did, is the best idea. Personally though, I'd just take it to a trusted body shop and have them apply the stoneguard to your lights using a single sheet and a heat gun. That way there's no gap like there would be with this kit.