I just sand and polish much like this guy does.
I have it down to where I wet sand with 4000 grit and polish.Your auto parts store should have a spray on uv protectant.
I am torn on the bulb issue.I am running 55 watt Sylvania.Stock head lights.I live on the Olympic Penninsula where it rains a lot.During the winter I typically have head lights, wiper,front and rear defog,radio and by default, the cooling fans running.The cooling fans run any time your a/c compressor does.Your a/c kicks on with the defrost.I gutted the a/c system and one cooling fan.I rewired the remaining cooling fan so that i control it from the inside.Doing this has made a difference in how bright the stock lights are.I am still thinking of getting the brighter bulbs but they burn up quick.
First gen legacy wagon.