How to Restore Headlights Permanently: A DIY Guide

When you purchase a brand new car, it will definitely provide you with the features that the manufacturers of the car had promised you. But, you will also notice things start changing with passing time and deteriorating with the passage of time.

Your headlights of the car are much important part that needs your attention more. After using the car for a specific time slot, you will find that the headlight of your car has started changing its brightness. Discoloration and bad scratches on the light are very common issues.

Dull and yellow headlights do not only decrease the aesthetic appeal of the car, but it will render the smooth driving of the car. Hazy, dull car headlights are not good.  It is a safety issue for the drivers because it will diminish the vision of the driver during the foggy night, and it can cause bitter accidents too. But this is not a serious issue to worry about.

There are different ways that you can follow to restore the brightness of the headlights permanently. There are some DIY methods that you can follow and also can buy the headlight restoration kits to get back the same brightness and shine of the headlights.

Reason Of Cloudy Yellowish Headlight

It is of quite important to know the reason why your headlights are faded, yellow or cloudy? The UV rays of the sun, sleet, rain, dirt, show play the most intricate roles in the breakdown of your headlights lenses. The sun can cause extreme damage to your headlights. Extreme heat also can destroy the UV factory coating that you may find on the headlights.

There are also many other reasons that make the headlights yellow and undesirable. People drive their vehicles through, dirt, tar, oil, paint, plants, tall grass, different types of pollutants, etc. these are key factors that affect our headlights.

In a recent study, it was found that thousands of accidents were linked to ineffective light output due to worn, yellow, dull, and cloudy headlights. The majority of headlight lenses today are made of plastic, and this material is very susceptible to different weather and road and conditions. Harsh UV rays in extremely hot climates, harmful chemicals from the fumes and engine, smog, etc. can damage the plastic part. It also reduces the visibility level very soon and makes driving your vehicle quite unsafe at night.

DIY Restoration Process:

You can start the restoration process by using toothpaste and baking soda first. You can use baking soda and toothpaste first to clean the foggy, yellowish light. This is the easiest process. Just spread the toothpaste or a thick layer of baking soda and water then wipe out it with water and microfiber cloth. But if you are looking for a permanent result, this is not the right one for you.

First, you can look for another DIY method to get the shine permanently:

It is not a time-consuming process, but quite easy and inexpensive. If you clean the headlights by following the process, it can last for many years actually.

Things required:

• A can full of UV resistant high-quality clear coat
• A spray bottle
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water
• Tape
• Sandpaper
• Plastic sheet or garbage bags
• Scissors
• Garbage bags

Ways To Restore Your Headlight Permanently

To start the method, cover the paints around the car headlight to save the paints from unwanted scratching. Spray water on the headlight surface and then spread the sand to lubricate it in a proper way.

It is better to go for the 400 grit sandpaper to clear too much dirt and grime, but 600-grit is also good to start the process. You can sand it in a perfect circular motion but spray water continuously with your other hand. Repeat the process to get more effective results.

After finishing the cleaning process, you need to rinse properly the headlight with water. Now use a paper towel to dry up the place or to remove the sand from the plastic surface. Now take a 200-grit sandpaper and rub carefully the headlight surface. After the process of sanding, rinse the surface again and dry with a paper towel.

Take the paper towel and put it in rubbing alcohol. Rub properly it on the car headlight. To remove the oil residue, you need to follow this final step.

As you are done with the cleaning process, you can proceed by applying a good quality clear coat. Take a plastic sheet and cover the wings, bumper, and bonnet before doing the process. Spray the clear coat now. To get the shiner result, apply four or three layers of the coat of a minimum interval of five minutes.

Before removing the tapes and the plastic sheets, wait for a day to settle down the clear coat.

Now apply wax on the headlight. You can take a little amount of car wax on the microfiber towel to rub it on the headlight surface. Wipe it properly with a clean and dry towel.

Well, if you are looking for a simpler process and want it in a professional manner, it is better to use the headlight restoration kits. There are many headlight restoration kits available in the market, and they come with several steps of cleaning options.

Cleaning With Restoration Kit:

This is a smart option to buy a headlight restoration kit. You will get all the necessary things that you may require for permanent cleaning. If you have the kit, start by complete the washing of your headlight lenses. Use plain water and car soap to clean it up.

Cover the paints with tape to start using the kit. Most of the restoration kit contains covering tapes.

Then go for the sanding process, which is similar to the DIY process. Clean the surface with water and clean out the sand.

Dry out the headlights and apply wax. You will get the polish coat and wax with the restoration kit too. Use microfiber cloths for proper cleaning and polishing.

Apply the UV sealant to avoid further sun damage.

If you use the restoration kit or go for the professional restoration service, you can get a permanent result.

Some Great Restoration Kits:

Relevant Resources:

1. How To Clean Headlights With WD-40 [Tested Method]
2.  2 Ways To Clean Headlights With Vinegar
3. How To Clean Yellow Or Oxidized Headlights: Diy Guide