Over time, headlights can get dirty or fog up due to various factors. Like old photos, they may even start to turn yellow. Driving around with foggy headlights is never safe, but that doesn't necessarily mean you don't need new headlights either. In fact, with the right cleaning and restoration products you can buy or make yourself, with a small investment, you can make foggy headlights look almost brand new.
Why did the headlights have that foggy look in the first place? Rain or water from a car wash can be enough to fog the headlights when water vapor condenses. The problem could also be a damaged headlight assembly or seal. If it breaks, water vapor can condense and seep into the headlight, creating a foggy appearance and potentially causing electrical failure. Other factors that contribute to fogging headlights include bugs and road debris, environmental toxins, and exposure to various elements, especially UV rays from the sun, which can cause plastic headlights to turn yellow.
How to Clean Your Car Lights
Before spending hundreds of dollars replacing headlights, you should first consider cleaning and repairing them. Most drivers don't know how to properly clean their headlights; learning how to fix fogging headlights is a great weekend project for do-it-yourselfers. Basically the damaged coating needs to be removed and a new protective coating added.
You have two options: buy a do-it-yourself repair kit at an auto parts store (several companies like 3M, Turtle Wax, and Sylvania make reputable headlight repair kits) or do it with common household items like toothpaste clean. We will cover both methods in this post.
Repair kit prices may vary, depending on what's in the kit. All kits come with abrasive and sandpaper to remove the yellowed, oxidized plastic coating on the headlights and clean the lenses. Others include a buffing wheel that can be attached to the drill for the final polishing step. Choose a restoration kit that includes different grades of sandpaper, a polish or cleaner for plastics, a protective coating, and a polishing cloth. One kit should be enough to clean two headlights. Don't try to change it. Make sure you read and follow the manufacturer's steps and instructions.
How to fix foggy headlights
Just keep in mind that you'll need to do some serious scrubbing, so if it's really dirty and foggy, plan to spend anywhere from 10 minutes on the low end to up to half an hour per headlight.
Use the sandpaper included in the kit to scrub off the outer layers of the haze. Continue sanding until the entire headlight is free of any yellowing and has a rough, matte finish. When sanding foggy headlights, be sure not to scratch the paint. Also, it's important to keep your headlights wet while sanding, whether that's with a hose rinsing or simply using a bucket.
If your headlights still look foggy after you've worked hard, don't worry, as this is normal; they'll look clean and clear once the protective coating is applied.
If your kit does not contain UV protection products, you can easily purchase them at auto parts stores. Dry the headlights with a soft cloth and apply tape around the headlights before applying the UV protective sealant. That way, you won't accidentally damage your car's paint while sanding. Do not apply sealant until it is completely dry. Then, to protect the sealant while it dries, leave your car in the garage, if you have it, overnight. After the sealant step, your headlights should look like new.
If you live in a warm climate, you will need to reapply the protectant about every three years, while if you live in a cooler or humid climate, you may need to reapply every two years. See kit for manufacturer recommended schedule.
Another option that can save you money is cleaning your headlights with household products like toothpaste.
How to Fix Foggy Headlights with Toothpaste
You can try cleaning and repairing headlights with toothpaste. Toothpaste containing baking soda is especially effective.
Start by cleaning your headlights with Windex or a soap and water mixture. Then, using a soft cloth, apply a small amount of toothpaste to the still-wet headlight and scrub until the protective coating is removed; when done, apply sealant. Toothpaste can be an effective abrasive for cleaning moderately soiled or fogged headlights.
Now that you know how to repair fog headlights, use that knowledge to repair fog headlights.