Having scratched up and/or foggy headlights is not only aesthetically displeasing, but it can be dangerous when driving at night or in bad weather, which are situations when you need to be able to see clearly. You want your headlights to be working at optimal capacity so that you get to where you need to go safely.
Headlights bear the brunt of everything that comes flying toward your vehicle while you drive: rocks and dirt, bugs, rain, sleet, and hail, and any other pesky debris that may come hurling at you on the road. Headlights can also become foggy and won’t be as clear as they used to be, which can definitely be dangerous.
How do headlights become foggy?
Bridgestone Tires gives a rather scientific explanation to this foggy situation:
“Most headlight lenses these days are made from a thick plastic comprised of polycarbonates. Unlike the glass lenses that were used in older cars, these plastic lenses are much more scratch-resistant and durable. However, over time, as this polycarbonate plastic is exposed to UV rays from the sun, the outer layers begin to break down and degrade. These changes cause the lenses to absorb blue light from the bulbs and cause a less potent, yellowish light to be emitted.”
You’re probably wondering how you can clean your foggy headlights…
There are various headlight restoration kits you can purchase at any auto shop or online; however, if you are wanting to do it yourself with household products, that is also an option…and usually a more cost-effective and convenient method since you probably already have these products at home.
What do you need?
- Windex OR dish soap and water
- Toothpaste with baking soda
- Painter’s tape
- Microfiber cloth
- Wet/dry sandpaper
- Headlight lens sealant
Popular Mechanics has a detailed, step-by-step instructional guide on how to specifically use these products to defog your vehicle’s headlights. Click on the link for the instructions.
If the DIY option doesn’t work, the alternative is to purchase a headlight restoration kit, which you can pick up at a local auto shop as well as buy online. There are various brands. But keep in mind that the restoration kits basically include the exact same items that you used to attempt to do it yourself. You may need to go to the next option if these attempts to not work.
Lastly, if that doesn’t lift the fog, take your vehicle to a professional. Unfortunately, there are some things that are just meant to be professionally handled. If your headlights are extremely foggy, they may be able to fix them, but you may need to completely replace them depending on the fog severity.
It is always a more affordable and definitely a little more educational to try to fix things yourself. There are so many resources online (articles and videos) to help guide you through easy repairs. It’s always worth a try!
While you’re working on those headlights, if you realize you need body repair or a paint job, contact Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park. They are trusted locally by friends and family and can help you with your paint or body repair needs.