How to Clean Car Headlights
Are you tired of having a cloudy headlight in your car? Dirty headlights are not only beyond aesthetics but can reduce night time visibility by up to 50% and significantly increase the risks of accidents. The reason behind cloudy and pale headlights is the combination of factors like oxidation, UV damage, sunlight, and road grime.
But don’t worry, you can restore your car’s headlights easily. We will be covering some effective DIY and advanced methods to restore a car’s headlight in this article.
By applying these methods you’ll not only get sparkling headlights, and improved nighttime visibility, but you’ll be saving the costs of repairs.
Understanding Headlight Haze
Car headlights are made of polycarbonate material and over time, they can become cloudy and pale due to the combination of some environmental factors. To restore your headlights, it’s crucial to understand the science behind headlight hazing.
Following are some major elements that cause headlights to haze.
Oxidation
When plastic headlights are exposed to sunlight’s UV rays, they start to break at a microscopic level. This breakdown process is known as oxidation which reduces the light effectiveness and visibility.
UV damage
UV rays can damage the headlights directly, without oxidation process and result in making the headlights cloudy and yellow.
Road grime
Road grime is the major cause of cloudy and pale headlights. As you drive, headlights are constantly affected by road grime, debris, insect residue, and many other pollutants. These elements stick to the headlight’s surface and reduce the intensity of light.
Why clean headlights are important
Clean headlights are very important for safety concerns. They play a vital role in night time driving safety. If your headlights are dull and cloudy and you drive at night there will be reduced visibility, increased reaction time, and reduced depth of perception.
Researches show that nighttime crashes account for nearly half (49%) of all fatal crashes,
even people drive less at night. Dirty headlights are a major cause of nighttime accidents.
You can prevent dirty headlights through regular washing with soap and using soft cloths to remove dirt and debris. Also, you can apply UV protective coatings after every wash. This ensures the durability of headlight plastic.
Materials You’ll Need to clean a headlight
The cleaning method you apply will determine the need of certain tools and supplies. Here are the tools according to different cleaning methods.
Basic cleaning
- Bucket
- Car wash soap
- Two microfiber cloths for washing and drying
- Dish soap (optional)
- Masking tape
Cleaning solutions
- Toothpaste
- Baking soda paste
- Commercial headlight restoration kit
Using Restoration kit
- Masking tape
- Kit essentials
- Follow instructions
Advanced method
- Sandpaper if sanding is involved ( 1000 to 3000 grits)
- Making tape
- Polish
- Drill (optional)
- Polishing pad
- Microfiber cloth
- UV sealant (optional)
Cleaning Methods
There are several methods to restore a car’s dirt headlight. Each method depends on the level of haze of a headlight. Here is a detailed guide to opt for the right method and apply it step by step to get the sparkling headlights.
Basic cleaning for minor haze
Basic cleaning includes the normal wash with soap, toothpaste or baking soda paste with water. This method is effective when the headlight is slightly hazed.
Here are some main steps to give your headlights a basic clean
Wash the dirt:
Wash your headlights with clean water and soap. This removes the dirt, road grime, and debris stuck to the surface of the headlight.
Clean and buff:
After a complete wash, take a pea sized non whitening toothpaste and buff it on the headlight using a microfiber cloth for a few minutes . You can also use baking soda paste.
Rinse and Repeat:
Rinse the headlight with clean water and remove all the traces of toothpaste or baking soda paste. Check the headlight if there is some remaining haze repeat step 2 and 3 for better results.
Polish for shine(optional):
Once the headlight becomes clear, take a small amount of polish to a microfiber towel. Buff it gently in a circular motion. This will increase the shine and clarity.
Using a headlight restoration kit
Moderately oxidized headlights cannot be restored through a normal wash. In this condition, you can use Headlight restoration kits available in markets. These kits come with specialized cleaning tools, sanding discs and polishing pads.
Here are the steps to restore your headlights using a headlight restoration kit.
Preparation:
Firstly, you have to mask the area around the headlight with a masking tape and you can use a sand disc to remove a thin layer of damaged plastic.
Cleaning:
Apply the cleaning solution included in a headlight restoration kit according to the instructions. This will break down the oxidation patches and prepare the headlight for polishing.
Polishing:
Use the polish compound with a restoration kit with the help of a polishing pad. This process removes the haze and restores the clarity of the surface.
Remove masking tape:
Once you ensure that the headlight is completely restored with a clear and shiny look. Carefully remove the masking tape, stick around the headlight.
Sanding and polishing (advanced)
This is an advanced method suitable for a heavily oxidized headlight that has not been restored by other methods. This involves the sanding and polishing of the headlight.
Here are some important steps to carry out this method.
Wet sanding:
Use sandpaper (with 1000 grits) and dampen it with clean water. Use even and gentle pressure and sand the surface in a circular motion. Then gradually move to finer grits (2000 to 3000) when the haze seems removed.
Polishing:
Apply a polish on a polishing pad. You can attach it to a machine or use your hand. Then buff the surface of the headlight carefully in a circular motion. This will restore its surface clarity.
UV sealant (optional):
when the headlight becomes clean, apply a UV protective sealant to prevent future oxidation. Applying a UV sealant is not mandatory, it’s up to your choice.
Things to consider during work.
- Always ensure safety measures like wearing gloves and protecting your eyes from any kind of damage during work.
- Always work in a shaded area. This will prevent the polish or cleaning compounds from drying quickly
- If the haze is not removed through a basic clean, consider using a headlight restoration kit.
- You can also use some alternative cleaning methods like rubbing alcohol or vinegar and water solution on the headlight. However, these substances may be harmful to the surface.
- Always test new solutions on small sections of headlights before complete use to prevent potential damage.
- If all of the discussed methods don’t work on a headlight, consider contacting a professional headlight repairer.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals directly on the headlight surface.
Additional tips
- When your headlight is severely damaged with deep socrates and extensive haze, you may seek professional help. A professional will better assess the damage and give you the best possible solution which may be the replacement of the headlight.
- If all the above-mentioned DIY methods fail to restore your headlight, you should go for a professional repair.
Frequency of cleaning
The frequency of cleaning your headlight depends on the driving conditions, climate, and personal preferences. If you drive regularly in a dusty area you need to clean the headlight after every 1-2 months. And for a severe and warm climate, you may clean the headlight after 3-4 months.
Conclusion
Cloudy and dim headlights not only diminish your car’s look but also reduce nighttime visibility and significantly increase the risk of accidents. Fortunately, you can restore your headlight’s clarity through DIY methods.
This article has equipped you with the knowledge to assess the level of headlight oxidation and select the suitable cleaning method. You can clean a slightly hazed headlight with soap and water but if the headlight is heavily hazed, you can opt for polishing and ending techniques
Regular cleaning and UV help to maintain the clarity of headlights and increase their life. But if DIY solutions fail, you should get professional help.
By following these tips you can maintain bright and clear headlights in your car and ensure happy and safe driving.