A majority of motorists are familiar with hazy headlights. As it is, yellow crusts that form on cover of the headlights is quite persistant. Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of this problem at home without making a costly visit to a mechanic.
DIY headlight cleaning is simple to perform. It doesn't require expensive equipment for the job Common household items can work.
Here are the easiest ways to remove the headlight covers from your vehicle:
1. Correct Yellowing of Transmission Fluid
Do you really have to purchase a costly kit to remove yellow headlight covers? Not necessarily.
To fix yellowing, you first must understand what is causing it. Your headlight covers have an outer layer that protects it from the harsh UV radiation. However, as time passes, this coating wears off, exposing the inside of the plastic to sunlight. It is when the plastic absorbs blue light from sunlight and changes the color.
The headlight can be cleaned with car soap won't fix this problem. You can, however, purchase an equipment to remove the carbonic reaction with specific chemicals. This option can be expensive however.
You won't need a restoration kit if there's transmission fluid in your home. Apply a thin layer of it to the cover of your headlight and then take it off with a cloth. This will clear the discoloration.
2. Clean the covers thoroughly.
Oxidation is not the only reason for headlight covers becoming fuzzy. It is not impossible to find dirt and particles from the road. Dust particles and grime can be a real problem for the covers of your headlights if you don't clean your car. This kind of buildup can affect proper vision too.
If you don't have time to wash your entire car, just clean the headlight covers. Use your regular car wash soap and microfiber cloths or sponge. You can choose a detergent designed to work with automobile parts made of plastic.
There's a further benefit to washing your headlight covers when the dust has been removed it will be much more straightforward to determine if there is oxidation damage. So, it is recommended to wash the headlight cover before applying any anti-hazing treatment.
3. Make use of toothpaste
You might have heard about this DIY trick already. Yes, toothpaste can eliminate any oxidation issues from the headlight covers.
But it's important to properly apply toothpaste. Rub it in with your fingers won't really help. The first step is to clean the headlights using soapy water. This will remove the top layer of dust. Then, wipe them clean with a microfiber cloth.
Toothpaste works as a light bulb in the headlights due to of the light abrasives in it. The abrasives rub away at the oxidative damage. The result is much clearer headlights.
However, don't go overboard. You should use a tiny amount and apply it directly on the middle in the front of the lamp. It should remain on for a minute or two. Make use of a microfiber cloth to clean it off in circles. It is possible to add additional toothpaste as you need it.
A warning: don't let the toothpaste get into the paint surrounding the headlights. The abrasives will ruin the coating. Use tape or something similar to safeguard the painted area surrounding the lights.
It's crucial to pick the correct toothpaste for the job completed. Avoid gel toothpaste, as it's not equipped with the abrasives required for scrubbing. Also, avoid toothpaste that contains large or microbeads. You may end up damaging the headlights with harsher abrasive.
The treatment for toothpaste is not forever. It's recommended to try this at least every two or three months to keep headlight covers clearer.
4. Try Sanding
Sandpaper for removing the yellow crust is among the most well-known ways to keep the covers of your headlights clean. It's similar to toothpaste. But, you can get rid of additional crust using the proper sandpaper.
However, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't grab some sandpaper from the toolbox and rub away. Sanding should be done very carefully to prevent any physical damage to the plastic headlight covers. Instead of sanding dry headlight covers, soak the headlights ahead of time.
Start with coarser Sandpaper. Then move onto smaller ones. But, it is important to be careful and avoid creating permanent scratches on the plastic.
After the sanding has been completed and the headlights are cleaned, you can wash them again. They should now look clearer. Don't forget to put on UV sealant once you're done.
5. Use a Headlight Cover Repair Kit
Although restoration kits aren't to be used for everything, they definitely can be used for certain purposes. The typical headlight restoration kit has an assortment of components to get rid of haze. Sandpaper polishing materials, and even UV sealing agent to protect the headlights.
If you have a lightly equipped garage, investing into an upgrade kit for your headlights is the best option. A highly rated kit would contain everything you need to get rid of oxidation.
Additionally, the kits come with sealants to apply after cleaning. Sealants that protect are crucial for preventing further oxidation damage.
The most important thing to do is finding a good restoration kit. Be sure to adhere to the directions carefully. In the event that you fail to do so, you may damage the plastic that covers your headlight covers.
Cleaning your headlights and keeping them clear need not be a lengthy process. It is necessary to use any of these solutions at least three times per year.
The most important thing is to apply the UV sealant following your wash the cover. The sealant is crucial to prevent further hazing. Your hard work will go to waste if you don't seal it.
DIY headlight cleaning can be done for the majority of vehicles. However, if there is extreme yellowing or damage to the headlight covers, it's best to send the car to the mechanic for a thorough examination.
