If you are a frequent driver, you have probably noticed foggy headlights from time to time. Over a certain period of time, the headlights on your car can become damaged, worn, yellowed, or scratched from debris, weather, and the UV rays from the sun. These factors can contribute to the deterioration of the outer layers of your headlights and the polycarbonate material that makes up most of the headlights can easily become damaged. When your headlights become damaged, it can affect your visibility while driving at night or during inclement weather, making it more difficult to see. Our team understands that having optimal visibility is absolutely essential when driving and we have composed a list of three helpful tricks that can be highly effective when cleaning your headlights.
Use toothpaste to clean headlights
If you have noticed that your headlights are starting to look a little hazy or cloudy, then it may be time to try cleaning them at home. To do this, all you’ll need to have is some toothpaste and a rag. Because toothpaste contains mild abrasive properties, it can do wonders when scrubbing your headlights, providing brighter headlights. All you have to do is add a little toothpaste to a rag and start scrubbing your headlights in circular motions to help improve the damaged or deteriorated headlights.
Use baking soda and vinegar to clean headlights
Another helpful tip to cleaning your headlights is by combining a bit of baking soda and vinegar and applying it to your headlights. For years, baking soda and vinegar have been tried and true cleaning supplies that are highly effective. When trying this method, simply add a little dish soap to your headlights then add the mixture of baking soda and vinegar. You can add the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl and mix it well and then apply it to your headlights with a rag using circular and side-to-side motions until you notice that your headlights are back to normal. Another helpful tip can be applying baking soda to a damp rag to clean the foggy headlights.
Use bug spray to clean headlights
If you want to try a different way to clean your headlights, you can try using bug spray. It is no surprise that a little bug spray can do the trick, given that the substance is abrasive and strong enough to clean up those foggy headlights. Simply add some bug spray to a cloth and scrub your headlights until you notice that the haziness has disappeared. This technique will certainly do the trick when it comes to brightening your headlights. However, you’ll still want to be careful when using bug spray, given it is quite abrasive. Start off by using a little at a time and not too much at once, as you certainly don’t want to cause any damage to your headlights by stripping the plastic.
Why Do My Headlights Get Foggy?
If you drive at night or during bad weather conditions and notice that it is more diff icult to see than usual, it may have to do with your headlights. The sun, rain, debris, and road conditions can cause your headlights to become worn over time, which is never a good thing, as it can impact your visibility when driving. In fact, when your headlights are very badly damaged due to the sun, rain, debris, or road conditions, it can impact your visibility as much as 50 percent. And as if that is not worse enough, having cloudy headlights is just not a good look for your vehicle. It can make a vehicle look older and in bad shape, which no one ever really wants, especially if it is preventable. You may wonder how your headlights can become so foggy and here are some reasons as to why that is:
UV light can cause oxidation
Did you know that the sun’s UV light can cause acrylic headlights to oxidize over time? While headlights come with an extra protective coat to prevent this from happening, it does wear off over time, causing the hard plastic to be exposed to UV light and making it turn yellow.
Flying debris
When you’re driving, flying debris that hits your headlights and the rest of the car is clearly inevitable. There is a number of debris that hits your headlights, including gravel, dirt, and other forms of debris that gets kicked up as you’re driving. Not only does this wear out your headlights over time, but damages and scratches your headlights as well. This can cause your headlights to become foggy and less clear over time.
Water vapor
While headlights are designed with a watertight seal, over time, it can cause the seal to loosen. As a result, condensation begins to form inside of the plastic, which doesn’t allow you to wipe it away given that the condensation has formed on the inside of the headlight. These water droplets then impact the light and can impair your visibility while driving at night or during inclement weather.
Contact Our Team at WeHo Collision Center
If you have tried the methods mentioned above to improve your headlights and their function but would rather have your headlights replaced altogether but professionals, our team is here to help. If you are looking for a highly skilled team that can provide you with exceptional service and results for your vehicle, our team at WeHo Collision Center is committed to exceeding your expectations. To learn more about why we are rated as the top auto body shop Los Angeles can trust, feel free to contact us and get your vehicle in for repair services.
