How to Keep Your Headlights from Turning Yellow

Headlights are one of the most important components of your vehicle. These polycarbonate lens-protected bulbs provide clear vision during night time driving and protect you from being hit by oncoming vehicles. Having well-maintained crystal-clear headlamps is thus one of the safety hazards to consider. This is also a MOT failure so ensure regular check ups of your headlights are completed during your routine car service in Reading.

Because glass headlights are expensive and heavy, polycarbonate plastic became popular in the 1980s. This is a type of hard-to-break plastic with a high insulating effect, making it an excellent candidate for a glass headlight replacement. Though this plastic has many advantages, its development has resulted in another issue: polycarbonate is susceptible to UV rays and weather conditions.

What causes the yellowing of your headlamps?

If you have yellow headlights on your car at this time, you have most likely overlooked the proper way to clean them. Regular car washes do not guarantee long-lasting clear headlamps because yellow fog is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light (UV), dirt, pollution, and other harmful elements encountered on the road.

When not properly cared for, the plastic becomes yellowish and blurry, obstructing light from the bulbs. Fortunately, you can fix these cloudy, yellowish headlights yourself. However, cleaning your headlamps on a regular basis will help to avoid this inconvenience. All you have to do is follow these guidelines:

1.     The short- and long-term solutions - There are two common ways to make your headlamps appear crystal-clear. It's not rocket science, just toothpaste mixed with car wax, or sanding and spraying. There is no need for us to argue with anyone because certain conditions and instances may necessitate a quick fix or a time-consuming method. We assure you that both methods work; you just need to consider how much time you have and how badly your headlamps need to be repaired.

2.     Toothpastes are used to clean your teeth... as well as polycarbonate plastic - The use of toothpaste is one quick solution that is considered a short-term trick that really works. Plaque-removing toothpastes are the most recommended type because they work best in dealing with the oxidation of your headlamps. You only need a sponge, a clean rag, painter's tape or masking tape, optional car wax to make it shiny, and, of course, toothpaste to clean your headlights.                                

Put a generous amount of toothpaste on one side of the sponge and rub it directly on the surface of your polycarbonate lamp covers. Keep in mind that you must do this slowly and in a circular motion to achieve the best results. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water and pat it dry with a clean rag. Apply the wax, then polish it until the lamps are as clear as new. Keep in mind that this could only last 2 to 4 months.

3.     Get rough with it for a long-lasting shine – Sandpaper may sound a little too harsh for your headlamps, but it is the best method if you want a long-lasting result. A 400 to 600 (depending on how cloudy they are) and 2,000 grit sandpaper, a bucket of clean water, painter's tape, a clear coat, rubbing alcohol, and a dry towel are all required.

To begin, dampen the 400 (or 600) grit sander in the bucket and wet your headlights. Sand the headlight in small circles, section by section, until it is completely covered. You may need to repeat this process two or three times to ensure you haven't missed any spots. Throughout the sanding process, keep splashing the appropriate amount of water. Rinse it and pat it dry with a clean towel.

After it has completely dried, clean it with rubbing alcohol and wipe it down with a paper towel to ensure it is dust-free before applying the clear coat. The next step is to cover the surrounding area with newspaper or a plastic bag and secure it with painter's tape. Spray your clear coating on evenly and thoroughly and repeat a couple of times. Allow it to dry for a day, and you should have brand new-looking headlights.

4.     This should be done every time you wash your car - As we previously stated, a regular car wash will not provide your headlights with a long-lasting shine. You'll need the following tools: a plastic protectant and a UV protection coat. Make sure to apply these to your headlamps every time you finish washing your car to keep their beauty and shine. Remember that headlights are your aid to clear vision during night time driving, so treat them as you would your eyes.