How to restore dim car headlights
When driving at night or in conditions of limited visibility, one of the most important safety measures a driver can take is to ensure their headlights are working properly.
Car headlights are not only prone to problems such as burnt out bulbs or low power. Experience from car care and maintenance experts shows that the lighting efficiency of headlights can be reduced due to scratches on the headlight glass. Let's take a closer look at the causes of foggy headlights and how to restore the headlight glass if necessary.
What is the phenomenon of dim headlights?
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| Headlights become foggy after long-term use |
If you notice that the light coming from your headlights is not as bright as it used to be, it is possible that your headlights are dimming. Sometimes drivers notice that not only are their headlights less bright, but the light they emit is also yellowish or cloudy. This may indicate that their headlights are dimming.
Most headlights today are made of thick plastic made from polycarbonate. Unlike the glass used in older cars, these plastic lenses are more scratch-resistant and durable. However, over time, polycarbonate is exposed to UV rays from the sun, and the outer layers begin to break down and degrade. These changes cause the lenses to absorb blue light from the bulb, giving off a yellowish hue. Fogging up headlights is easy.
Clean foggy headlights
Products to use
There are a number of products on the market that are specifically designed to clean foggy car headlights from UV exposure. Look for products labeled "headlight restorer" or "headlight lens restorer."
There are also a few other ways to clean foggy headlights. Toothpaste and baking soda are effective headlight cleaners. Both of these products have abrasive properties that help remove fog without scratching or damaging the headlights. Polishing compounds like Rain-X can also effectively repair UV damage. Overall, a cleaning kit is a must-have in your garage or home!
How to clean headlights
Tools needed:
Cleaning solution, baking soda or toothpaste.
Gloves protect sensitive skin.
Wiper.
Clean water.
Soft bristle brush.
Mild detergent.
First you need to clean the dirt from your headlights. Apply a little mild detergent to the surface of your headlights and gently wipe away any dirt that has accumulated on the surface.
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| Clean stains on the surface of the lamp |
After cleaning the stain, use a towel to dry the surface of the car light until there is no more water.
Next, use a specialized headlight restorer. Toothpaste or baking soda and rub it evenly on the headlight lens. Mix it with a little water to create a thick solution. After applying this solution to the headlight, wait a few minutes for it to dry.
Use the brush to gently scrub the surface of the lamp glass in a circular motion to clean. You will see the light yellow color on the lamp glass slowly disappear. Continue scrubbing gently until the glass surface becomes transparent.
And the final step is to use a clean cloth to wipe off all the excess detergent on the headlight lens. You can use clean water to rinse off the stains, then use a dry cloth.
