Which solution is best?

Cleaning headlights can be a charm or curse.

You need to know, what your headlights need.

Diagnosis of a condition is extremely important. Depending on what the problem is will determing the best solution.

Are abrasives ever recommended for use on headlights?

In extreme cases Abarasive cleaners may be the only answer to the problem. Headlights that have been cleaned with an abrasive prior will require abrasives. Headlights that have surface damage will also require abrasives.

Headlights covered with oxidation do not need abrasives and abrasives are not recommended to remove the oxidation. A pure liquid deoxidizer is the most efficient way to remove oxidation from acrylic surfaces. There is no risk of damage, no waste and no loss of tiime.

90 % of headlight cleaning is to remove naturally occurring oxidation.

Oxidation is a thin opaque film that coats the surface of the lens, It is very strongly attached and very thin. Any abrasive method used to remove it would negatively effect the suface of the lens.

For this reason a non abrasive solution is the very best solution to remove oxidation.