If you're a person who likes their car clean, then you probably know the frustration of fuzzy or oxidized headlights. The problem with blurry headlights isn't just that they are visually unappealing, but faint lights also impact your visibility during night drives.
In the past, vehicle headlights in older model cars were made of glass. However, the headlights on modern cars have evolved and been designed with a very tough plastic called polycarbonate plastic. While this heavy-duty plastic is sturdy, it's permeable. They come with a protective film, but with wear and tear, the layer can become damaged. With damage, the porous material will become oxidized.
Before attempting all the DIYs you find on the internet, you must figure out whether the oxidation is inside or outside your headlight. If the imperfection is on the outside of your headlight, follow the easy instructions below to remove the oxidation. If the damage occurred on the inside of the headlight, you might be out of luck. Oxidation on the inside of light should be seen and cured by an automotive professional. Worst case scenario, you may even have to get the entire light replaced.
To clean (the inside of) your headlight, you'll need:
- A paste made with baking soda or toothpaste
- A towel or rag
- Old toothbrush
- Water
- Sponge
Instructions
- Squeeze a quarter-size amount of toothpaste on your towel and apply a thin layer of paste to the affected area.
- Allow it to sit on your headlight for about 15 minutes.
- Use the toothbrush to scrub the residue off of your headlights. You may additionally use your towel to give it a rougher scrub.
- Once the headlight is clear, rinse the remaining toothpaste off with water and wipe your headlight down with the sponge.
The toothpaste acts as a mild detergent to help scrub away any oxidation left on your headlight. If the toothpaste cannot remove all of the residues, you might need to invest in higher quality cleaner and car polish.
If you need assistance on headlight restoration or replacement, please give us a call or come by Brazzeal Automotive today!