How To Clean & Fix Foggy Headlights
Overview
This is all about how to clean headlights. But why should you?
Well, if not properly cared for, the headlights on a brand-new vehicle will deteriorate in a few short years. Prolonged exposure to the sun are primarily to blame for this. However; environmental pollutants, road debris, and harsh weather conditions also contribute to the wear and tear. Signs of degradation include a hazy appearance, yellowing, and reduced clarity.
As your headlights degrade in this manner, you’ll notice that they become less effective at night. And although you may become accustomed to this faded yellow look, should you want to sell the vehicle; the faded yellow headlights will be the first thing a buyer will notice.
Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to prevent the deterioration of your headlights and even repair them if you have foggy headlights. Regularly cleaning car headlights, using protective sealants, and polishing can help mitigate these effects, ensuring your headlights remain clear and fully functional.
Items
- Headlight restoration kit- We’ll be using the turtle wax headlight restoration kit for this, which comes with sanding pads for severely oxidised headlights
- Car wash- any car wash you have in the garage will do
- A bucket- as long as it holds water, you’re good to go!
- A sponge- or a wash mit, or even just a rag!
- Masking tape- get the good stuff so it won’t ruin your paint
- A buffing pad- just a little round foam buffing pad to apply the headlight polish
- Microfibre towels- you can never have too many microfibre towels on ANY detailing job!
Steps
Step 1: Prepare your headlights
Faded headlights and the surrounding area must first be washed to remove any bugs and grime. Dry the area off and apply masking tape to protect the area surrounding the headlight.
Step 2: Buff your headlights
Time for some elbow grease. Apply a dab of the lens clarifying compound to your buffing pad and rub your foggy headlights all over with moderate pressure. Buff this off with a clean cloth and repeat if necessary.
If after a few goes you still have foggy headlights; you’ll need to move onto the next step.
Step 3: Using the restoration pads
There are two pads with a different grade on each side in the Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit. Starting with number one, squirt a little spray lubricant on your headlight and rub the entire surface evenly. Wipe the headlight off, apply a little more lubricant; and move on to the next grade of pad.
Carry on in this manner until you have worked through all four grades of the restoration pad.
If you are using a different restoration product, you probably don’t have the sanding pads. Worry not! You can achieve a SUPER result with wet and dry sandpaper! Start with 800 grit, then 1000 grit, 1500 and finally 2000 grit using plenty of soapy water for lubrication as you go.
Step 4: Repeat step two as required.
Using the sanding pads or sandpaper will remove the yellowed and hazy coating, but it won’t leave your headlights crystal clear. That’s why buffing again is so important. Follow step two again until the marks from the sandpaper are gone; and your headlights SPARKLE!
Step 5: Protect your headlights from cloudiness.
If you fix faded headlights but don’t apply the protectant, they’ll be yellow again in a matter of weeks. Grab the lens base coat wipe and apply this quickly to both headlights. Don’t allow it to dry out.
Follow up with the lens sealing wipe, allow it to dry, and remove the masking tape.
Tips
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FAQs
Why do my headlights get cloudy?
Your headlights can turn yellow or become cloudy due to oxidation of the plastic, which is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun. The accumulation of environmental pollutants, the use of abrasive cleaning agents, and consistent contact with road debris further contribute to this cloudiness, compromising the clarity and performance of your headlights.
Why are my headlights so dim?
Dim headlights can have a number of causes. Light globes near the end of their life, problems in the electrical system or even improper alignment of your headlights can all cause your headlights to be dim. But quite often it is simply oxidation. The yellowing and fading of your headlights could be the reason why your headlights are so dim.
How can I prevent my headlights from getting cloudy?
Since sunlight is the major force behind yellowing headlights, the best thing you can do to prevent your headlights from getting cloudy is to park in the shade whenever possible. A pair of headlight protectors will also go a long way to prevent foggy headlights. If you stick to a regular car wash routine and gently polish your headlights a couple of times a year to remove the thin layer of oxidation; your headlights will remain crystal clear for years to come.
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