How to Clean Car Headlights

Just when you thought you knew everything about car maintenance, someone asks if you know how to go about cleaning headlights. Isn’t it enough to change the oil and rotate the tires? Apparently not.

Headlights, like any other part of your car exposed to UV rays, acid rain, road salt, and grime, can oxidize and turn yellow over time. This is particularly true for plastic lenses, which are common on modern vehicles.

Knowing how to clean headlights can improve their appearance and increase visibility—both crucial for safe driving.

What You’ll Need to Clean Headlights

Before you start, gather the following items:

• A bucket filled with warm, soapy water
• A pair of rubber gloves
• An abrasive liquid or cream cleaner like Comet or Ajax (for stubborn grime)
• A sponge
• Two towels
• Polish made specifically for plastic headlights
• Optional: Sandpaper, toothpaste, UV sealant, or a headlight restoration kit (depending on the severity of the issue)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cleaning Headlights

1. Basic Cleaning of Dirt and Grime

If your headlights are simply dirty, a regular cleaning routine should suffice.

Materials Needed:

• Car wash soap
• Warm water
• Microfiber cloth or sponge

Steps for Basic Cleaning of Dirt and Grime

1. Mix car wash soap with warm water in a bucket.
2. Use the sponge or cloth to scrub the headlight lens, removing dirt and grime.
3. Rinse with clean water and dry with a microfiber towel.

2. Cloudy or Hazy Headlights (Mild Oxidation)

Plastic lenses often oxidize over time, leading to a cloudy appearance. For mild haze, household remedies like toothpaste can help.

Materials Needed:

• Toothpaste (non-gel, whitening works best)
• Microfiber cloth
• Warm water

Steps to Clean Headlights – Cloudy or Hazy

1. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the headlight lens.
2. Use the microfiber cloth to rub the toothpaste in circular motions, focusing on hazy areas.
3. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly.

3. Heavy Oxidation or Yellowing

For severely oxidized or yellow headlights, more intensive methods are necessary.

Option 1: DIY Sanding and Polishing Headlights

Materials Needed:

• Sandpaper (400, 800, 2000 grit)
• Spray bottle with water
• Polishing compound
• Microfiber cloth
• UV sealant or protective spray

Steps for Sanding and Polishing Headlights

1. Clean the headlight with soapy water and dry.
2. Wet the headlight and start sanding with 400-grit sandpaper, keeping the surface wet.
3. Progressively use 800 and then 2000-grit sandpaper, always keeping the lens wet.
4. Apply a polishing compound with a microfiber cloth or drill attachment.
5. Finish with a UV sealant to protect against future oxidation.

Option 2: Headlight Restoration Kits

Materials Included in Most Kits:

• Sandpaper or abrasive pads
• Polishing compound
• UV sealant
• Applicator tools

Steps for Using Restoration Kits

1. Follow the instructions provided with the kit.
2. Typically involves sanding, polishing, and sealing the headlights.

4. Foggy Interior of Headlights

If the inside of the headlight is foggy, it’s likely due to moisture buildup.

Steps to Fix Foggy Interior Headlights

1. Remove the headlight assembly (refer to your car manual).
2. Open the headlight and allow it to air out or dry with a hairdryer.
3. Reassemble and seal the headlight to prevent future moisture entry.

5. Glass Headlights

Some older cars have glass headlights, which don’t oxidize but may accumulate grime or develop scratches.

Materials Needed:

• Glass cleaner
• Microfiber cloth
• Polishing compound (for scratches)

Steps for Cleaning Glass Headlights

1. Clean with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
2. For scratches, use a glass-specific polishing compound to buff them out.

Tips When Cleaning Headlights

• Always test cleaning products on a small area first.
• If unsure about cleaning headlights yourself, take it into a shop.
• Use UV sealants or headlight protectors to prevent future yellowing.
• Avoid using polishes made for other surfaces (e.g., car polish or furniture polish) as they can damage plastic headlights.
• If your headlights are still dim or hazy after cleaning, consider professional restoration or replacement.

By following these steps, you can restore your headlights to their former clarity, improving both your car’s appearance and nighttime visibility.