Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Matthew Lloyd
Car headlights are an essential component of the vehicle. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, the lights can become clouded or yellowed over time, reducing their effectiveness in illuminating the road at night. Restoring your car headlight’s clarity is relatively simple and inexpensive.
The best way to clean car headlights is by using a headlight restoration kit. These kits contain products specifically designed for cleaning and restoring plastic lenses, such as rubbing compound, polishing pad, sandpaper, and protective sealant. Additionally, the instructions with these kits provide step-by-step guidance on restoring your car headlights properly.
What Are Foggy Headlights, And Why Do They Happen?
Foggy headlights occur when the plastic lenses on your car headlights oxidize, become covered in scratches, or accumulate a layer of dirt and grime.
When You Need To Clean
- Regularly
- When the lenses are hazy or yellowing
- After oxidization has set in
- Before and after long drives/trips
- If your headlights have become scratched, pitted, or cracked.
Why Is It Important To Clean Car Headlights?
- Clean car headlights improve visibility, making it safer to drive at night.
- Keeping your car headlights clean helps maintain the overall look of the vehicle.
- Headlight lens restoration kits are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
- Clean headlights reduce glare which can be distracting for other drivers on the road.
- Regular cleaning and maintenance of your car headlights can help to extend their lifespan.
Cleaning Car Headlights
You Will Need
-
- Headlight Restoration Kit
- Non-Abrasive Cloth Or Sponge
- Warm Water
- Mild Detergent
- Plastic Polish
- Clear Coat For Headlights
- Gloves
Instructions
Safety First: Wear gloves to protect the hands from abrasive chemicals.
Clean The Headlight: Start by cleaning off any dirt, grime, or bugs that may have accumulated on the lens with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge and warm water mixed with mild detergent.
Apply Rubbing Compound: Once the headlight is clean, use a rubbing compound from your headlight restoration kit to gently scrub away any oxidation or scratches.
Rinse And Dry: Rinse off the headlight with warm water and dry it off using a clean, soft cloth.
Polish And Buff: Apply a plastic polish to the lens, then buff it with a polishing pad from your headlight restoration kit.
Apply Sealant: The last step is to apply a protective sealant to help keep your headlights looking new. Once the sealant has dried, you can return your vehicle to the road.
Cleaning Headlights With Sandpaper
Step 1. Start by wiping down the lens using a non-abrasive cloth and warm water mixed with mild detergent.
Step 2. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand the headlight with wet sandpaper gently.
Step 3. Rinse off the headlight with alcohol and dry it with a clean, soft cloth.
Step 4. Apply to rubbing compound to help remove any oxidation or scratches from the lens.
Step 5. Polish and buff the headlight using a polishing pad from your headlight restoration kit.
Keep In Mind
- Use 600 or 800-grit sandpaper and warm water
- Keeping the sandpaper and headlight wet will help you avoid scratches and keep your car looking its best.
- Apply light pressure
Other Restoring Options For Your Headlights
Sandpaper And Glass Polish: You can use a combination of sandpaper grades ranging from 600 to 2000 grit and then follow up with a glass polishing compound. This method requires some elbow grease, but the results are worth it.
Household Options for Restoring Your Headlights
Baking Soda And Vinegar: Mix baking soda with a small amount of vinegar to create a paste. Rub the paste onto the headlights using circular motions and then rinse it with clean water.
Toothpaste: Regular toothpaste can be used to restore dulled or cloudy headlights. Apply a generous amount of toothpaste to a damp cloth and rub the headlights in circular motions. Then, rinse off with clean water.
Vinegar And Water: This mixture can be used as an alternative to toothpaste. Mix equal parts vinegar and water into a bowl, dip in a rag or sponge, and lightly scrub the headlights until they are restored.
Why Do Car Lights Get Foggy?
Uv Rays: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause oxidation over time, leading to foggy headlights.
Moisture And Dirt: Moisture and dirt can collect on car lenses, causing them to become hazy or foggy.
Debris: Road debris such as sand, dirt, and rocks can scratch the surface of your headlights.
Age: Over time, car headlights degrade due to age and wear and tear.
Poor Quality Materials: If your car has cheap or low-quality headlight materials, it may be prone to fogging quickly.
Poor Maintenance: Failing to clean your headlights regularly or applying a protectant can lead to premature fogging.
Extreme Weather Conditions: Severe temperatures and humidity can speed up oxidation, causing headlights to appear foggy.
Faulty Wiring: Loose wiring from a broken bulb or faulty installation may cause headlight lenses to fog.
Unstable Surface: If the surface that the headlights are mounted on is not firmly secured, it may become loose or warped over time, leading to headlight fogging.
Poor Installation: If your car headlights were improperly installed, it might lead to premature fogging due to debris and moisture buildup.
Chemical Reactions: Certain chemicals, such as gasoline or engine oil, may react with the headlight lenses, causing them to fog up.
Improperly Sealed Lenses: If the sealant used on your car’s headlights is not adequately applied or is of low quality, it can cause premature fogging due to moisture and dirt buildup.
How Do You Protect Your Headlights From Oxidation?
- Regularly clean the headlights with a mild detergent and non-abrasive cloth or sponge to remove dirt, debris, and other contaminants that can cause oxidation.
- Apply a coat of wax on the lenses to protect them from UV rays, dirt, and grime.
- Park in the shade or use a car cover when parking outdoors for extended periods.
- Invest in a headlight restoration kit to maintain the clarity of headlights and prevent further oxidation.
- Check the condition of headlights at least twice a year to ensure they are not becoming foggy or hazy over time.
- Replace any bulbs that appear yellowed, dull, or cloudy.
- Use an ultraviolet-protecting sealant to protect your headlight lenses.
FAQs
How Often Should You Clean Car Headlights?
You should clean your car’s headlights at least once every 3 to 6 months or more frequently if you notice that the lens is becoming foggy or hazy.
Do Car Headlight Washers Clean The Headlights?
Yes, car headlight washers can remove dirt and grime buildup from headlights.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Effectively Clean Your Car Headlights?
No, hydrogen peroxide is not recommended as a cleaning agent for car headlights.
How Can I Clean My Car Headlights From The Inside?
Step 1. Unscrew the headlight cover and remove it from the base.
Step 2. Use a damp cloth to clean off any dirt or debris inside the lens.
Step 3. Fill a bucket with warm water and mild detergent and submerge the headlight cover.
Step 4. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any remaining dirt or debris.
Step 5. Rinse off with warm water and dry with a clean cloth before re-attaching it to the base.
Step 6. Polishing the compound to remove oxidation and scratches.
Step 7. Add a coat of wax or sealant on the lens to protect it from future dirt and grime buildup.
Conclusion
Cleaning car headlights is an easy and inexpensive way to maintain your car’s good looks. You can give your car headlights a facelift and ensure they look their best. By keeping your headlights clean, you can improve safety when driving at night. With a little effort, you can ensure that your car looks great and is safe to drive.
