Ever noticed your car’s headlights looking a little dull or yellow?
Foggy headlights are more than just an eyesore, they can also reduce your visibility on the road.
The good news?
Restoring them is easier than you might think.
Keep reading to discover how to clean yellow headlights, how to keep them clean, and when replacing is better than restoring.
This Article Contains:
- Why Do Headlights Get Foggy or Yellow?
- How to Clean Yellow Headlights
- How to Prevent Foggy or Yellow Headlights
- Is It Better to Replace Headlights Rather Than Clean Them?
Why Do Headlights Get Foggy or Yellow?
Several factors can cause your automotive headlights to become foggy or yellow:
- Oxidation: Car headlights are often covered by a clear UV coating to prevent your headlights from oxidizing. However, over time, the polycarbonate material is exposed to UV rays, causing the outer UV coating to break down. This leads to a cloudy or yellow appearance on your plastic headlight lens.
- Road debris: Road salt, gravel, and other road debris can chip and scratch the top coat, causing yellowed or foggy headlights.
- Water vapor: Wear and tear can cause the watertight UV sealant on your automotive headlights to break down. This allows condensation to build up, leading to headlight oxidation and dim lights.
- Environmental pollutants: Chemicals from vehicle emissions and road salt can stick to the lens surface, which may degrade the UV sealant, eventually leading to cloudiness.
Now that we understand what causes headlights to become foggy or yellow, let’s steer into the best ways to clean foggy headlights.
How to Clean Yellow Headlights
Before you dive into headlight restoration, make sure you have a few essentials on hand:
- A headlight restoration kit, baking soda and vinegar, or toothpaste
- A clean microfiber cloth
- Gloves to protect your hands
- Clean water for rinsing
- Soft-bristled brush
- Car wash soap
With that, here’s how to clean foggy headlights:
Step 1: Clean the Headlights
To ensure you’re working with a clean headlight, clean each cloudy headlight with the car wash soap. Spray and wipe away with a clean cloth or microfiber towel until the headlight surface is dry. Apply some masking tape around the surface to avoid any accidental paint damage.
Step 2: Apply the Cleaning Solution
Whether using a headlight restoration kit, baking soda and vinegar combination, or toothpaste, apply some of it to the plastic headlight surface.
- If you’re using baking soda, add a small amount of clean water to make a thick paste.
- If using toothpaste, fill a bucket with water and add a generous amount of toothpaste to a clean cloth or microfiber towel. Add some water to the cloth to loosen the consistency.
Apply the cleanser and leave it to dry slightly on the headlight cover for a few minutes.
Note: WD-40 and bug spray are often suggested as quick fixes because they can temporarily remove surface grime from your car headlights. However, it’s not the best long-term solution since it doesn’t tackle the underlying oxidation issue.
If you want to clean yellow headlights with WD-40 or bug spray, apply masking tape around each plastic headlight. Then, mix a solution of car wash soap and clean water in a bucket. Shake the WD-40 can well, spray some onto the headlight lens, and thoroughly wash the lubricant off with soapy water.
Step 3: Use Wet Sanding for Stubborn Fogging (Optional Step)
For severely fogged headlights, you could consider wet sanding. This involves using some fine-grit sandpaper (600, 1000, and 2,000 grit). Start dry sanding in circular motions with the coarsest sandpaper, then move to wet sanding with the 1,000 and 2,000-grit sandpaper.
Step 4: Remove the Cleanser
Using the soft-bristled brush, gently remove the cleanser by rubbing in circular motions across your oxidized headlights.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 2 and 3 if Necessary
If you’re not happy with your headlight lens, repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have a clear headlight.
Step 6: Remove the Excess Cleanser
Use a clean microfiber cloth or towel to remove any residual cleaner from your headlight lens. You should have a crystal clear headlight.
With clean headlights, it’s important to know how to stop yellowing headlights and keep them looking clear and bright for the long haul.
How to Prevent Foggy or Yellow Headlights
Keeping your car’s exterior in top shape is not only about aesthetics but also about preserving its value and ensuring safety on the road.
Here are a few things you can do to prevent oxidized headlights:
- Park in the shade wherever possible to reduce exposure to UV rays.
- Wash each headlight cover every 3 months to remove the dirt and chemicals responsible for headlight oxidation.
- Polish the headlights with a polishing compound, car wax, ceramic coating, and a clean microfiber cloth.
While prevention is crucial in avoiding a yellowed headlight, there comes a point when cleaning might not be enough.
So when should you consider a replacement?
Is It Better to Replace Headlights Rather Than Clean Them?
Headlight restoration can make a huge difference if there’s only slight fogging or yellowing. It’s also the more cost-effective solution. However, replacing your cloudy headlight might be the best if you have damaged or severely yellowing headlights.
While installing a new plastic headlight lens is more costly, the added benefit is that your new headlights should last a while. This means you won’t have to worry about needing to clean yellow headlights anytime soon.
See Clear on the Road with AutoNation Mobile Service
Clean headlights don’t just make your vehicle look better; they are crucial for road visibility and safety.
But if cleaning doesn’t make a huge difference, it might be time to consider replacing your yellowed headlight. That’s where AutoNation Mobile Service comes in.
We’re a mobile auto repair solution available seven days a week. We offer a 12,000-mile, 12-month warranty on all car maintenance and repairs.