How Not to Repair Headlamps

Bad Headlamp Repair
Bad Headlamp Repair

How Not to Repair Headlamps

If you’ve ever had to deal with hazy headlights, you understand how aggravating they are. Not only is it unsightly, but it also dims your headlight. Naturally, it’s ideal to clean your headlights and restore them to their original clarity, which is why we’ve compiled a collection of the most amusing pieces of advice we’ve ever heard about how to clean headlights. We’ll begin with the least effective methods and work our way up to proven methods for restoring your headlights to new condition.

To begin, there are numerous reasons why your headlights become dim or cloudy, the most common being oxidation. The sun and the weather begin to damage the UV protection coating that comes standard on new headlight lenses. When dust, grime, and insects collide with the front of your automobile, the headlights bear the worst of the abuse. Over time, the protective coating will deteriorate and become exposed to those elements, resulting in cloudy headlights. Rather than a smooth surface, the headlights have a lumpy, rough texture. This section will discuss several unusual methods individuals have used to obtain clear headlight lenses.

 

Pantyhose and Window Cleaner

A simple method for cleaning headlights, although it is missing a method for smoothing the surface of the headlight. If your headlights are filthy, chances are you’ve already attempted to wash your car. This is just one step above that, requiring only a small amount of solution and some elbow grease. You’re better off saving your time and avoiding wasting your wife’s pantyhose.

 

Conditioner for Hair

We weren’t shocked when this failed, however, it did leave our headlights smelling wonderful! The notion is that the conditioner’s waxes will fill up the rough surfaces and protect the headlights. Regrettably, our headlights are no longer as gleaming and silky as our hair.

 

Spray for Insects

This was one of the more amusing methods we’ve encountered for cleaning headlights. According to legend, the chemicals in bug spray clean your headlights of debris and UV-damaged material. While this did increase clarity somewhat, there was still more to be desired. Not only did we squander bug spray, but it also failed to protect our headlights while driving from pests!

 

Toothpaste

It appears as though folks simply search their toilets for anything they can use to cover their headlights. Surprisingly, the toothpaste performed nicely, notably the baking soda-containing toothpaste. Together, the gritty texture of toothpaste and the cleaning solutions significantly improved the clarity of our headlights. There was a visible difference after scrubbing the headlights with the toothpaste for ten minutes on each side. This was one of the most legitimate methods for cleaning headlights that worked.

 

Kit for Lens Restoration

As expected, this was the finest solution we found for cleaning headlights. Lens restoration kits are available at most car parts stores; however, ensure that the kit is multistep. A cleaning solution, sandpaper, and a protective coating should all be included. These products address the underlying cause of your foggy headlights. By roughening up the surface of the headlights, oxidation is removed, and the surface of the headlight lenses is smoothed. After sanding away the damaged plastic, use the finer grit sandpaper to polish the headlights back to their previous clarity. Utilize a buffer for optimal results, as manually performing this task can become tiresome. After your headlights are crystal clear, the final step is to apply a UV protective coating. This will ensure that your efforts are not in vain. The UV protectant helps guard your vehicle from dangerous rays that are continuously blazing down on your headlights and from the environment.

 

Conclusion

When you’re looking for a method for cleaning headlights, utilize this guide to determine what works and what doesn’t. You’ll save time, money, and toiletries this way. Allow the products to perform their intended function and proceed directly to a headlight lens restoration kit. It was created exclusively for that purpose and will produce the best outcomes.