How To Clean Cloudy Headlights

If you’re a clean freak or you just love your car, there’s nothing worse than cloudy headlights.

They can also be a safety hazard, hindering your sight.

Here’s what happens:

• A film develops on the plastic over time.
• The headlights get cloudy, so the headlights are not able to work as they’re designed.
• The cloudy film dulls the light, forcing it to disperse over a wider area.
• As a result, the light itself becomes weaker.

In order to maintain a safe vehicle and be able to see properly at night, you should clean the headlights when they become cloudy.

Here’s how:

• Try salt. Salt is an abrasive and it’s a pretty gentle option to try. Combine a mixture of warm water and salt. Dip a dry cloth into the mixture and rub it over the headlights’ exterior. The salt should gently remove the film.
• Give vinegar a go. An acidic liquid, vinegar is a great option to use on plastics and metals. You’ll need to remove the headlights for this method, and submerge them in a bucket that’s filled with white vinegar only. Let them soak for about one hour. Then, remove them from the vinegar and wipe the plastic thoroughly with a dry cloth.
• Use sandpaper. A stronger abrasive method than using salt, try sandpaper on headlights that are really cloudy and that you can’t get clean using other alternatives. Using a circular motion, rub the headlights where they are cloudy, but use gentle pressure to avoid scratching the material. Follow up by applying a layer of car wax or vegetable oil to whisk away any scratches caused by the sanding.
• Opt for wax. Cloudy headlights can also be caused by scuffs or scratches — not buildup. If this is the case, you’ll need to polish the headlights to clear them up. Use a soft cloth, like a microfiber rag, and rub the wax or vegetable oil into the headlights. Be sure to direct the wax into the lights in the same direction, and continue with the wax until the scratches are gone.

Keep your car in pristine condition with these tips for cleaning headlights. If you’d like more tips on caring for your vehicle, contact Serra Subaru Akron today!