Cleaning Cloudy Headlights
In our long, well-established time of servicing vehicles, we understand that many car owners believe that maintaining headlights is only about making sure that all lightbulbs work. While this is true, there is more to it. Cloudy headlights can become a cause for accidents, due to reduced visibility – even if the light bulbs are in perfect working order.
However, we have had drivers complain that the light from the headlights is not as bright as they should be or have changed in colour to a more yellow tone. Both can be symptoms of cloudy headlights. Back in the day, all headlights were made of glass which meant they got foggy much more often. Nowadays, headlights are made out of highly durable plastic but still do not have a life-long guarantee on quality. They may crack and degrade due to direct UV lights or dramatic temperature differences, resulting in the cloudy headlight effect.
Now we are in the month that the clock ‘falls back, it is even more crucial that you ensure your car provides full visibility for you and other drivers on the roads.
How to clean cloudy headlights
The process of cleaning cloudy headlights effectively is quite simple and does not require any special knowledge, and skills. You will need:
Cleansing product/ toothpaste or bicarbonate of soda
A soft brush
Clean water for rinsing
A soft rag or microfiber towel
Preliminary clean
Spray the cleaning product on your headlights and wipe it thoroughly. Before the actual cleaning of your cloudy headlights, you want to get rid of all the dirt that your headlights have picked up on your journeys.
Dry
After wiping off the cleanser, make sure the surface is completely dry. The best solution here is a microfiber towel that absorbs all liquids instantly.
Apply the cloud cleanser
Now take your headlight cleanser/ toothpaste or bicarbonate of soda and apply a thick layer on the headlights. If you’re using bicarbonate of soda, mix it with water to get a toothpaste-like texture. Don’t wipe it right away, let it dry for a few minutes.
Use a soft brush
Now start cleaning the headlight with a soft brush. The choice of brush is crucial as the products that you are using for cleansing are abrasive – meaning they might scratch. For the same reason, you don’t want to be too aggressive and put too much pressure on the brush. If you are doing everything right and the product is working correctly, at this point you shall see the yellow tinge coming off the headlights.
Take the cleanser off
Once the yellow and muddy layer is off your headlight, rinse the remaining cleanser with water and wipe thoroughly. You might also use the dry microfiber towel to polish the headlight making sure that it is dry, clean, polished, and shiny as new.
This is usually all it takes to get rid of the cloudy headlights effect. Although the whole process is simple and cheap to do, make sure you do not try cleaning with any other products or scrubbing too hard.
However, if you do find you have any issues with your vehicle, headlights included, please do not hesitate to call us.