Why Do Headlights Get Foggy And How They Can Be Fixed
We all love that brand new car look, but unfortunately, it doesn’t last forever. Maintaining your vehicle in perfect shape requires regular care and restoration sessions at a professional auto detailing shop.
In this post, we will be talking about one of the most obvious signs that your vehicle needs detailing, and that is the headlights getting foggy. This issue is not purely aesthetical, as it also impacts your safety on the road. Let’s find out why headlights get foggy and how to fix the issue.
What Causes Foggy Headlights?
First of all, let’s start with the material that headlights are made of. In the past, headlights were made from glass, but the fragile nature of this material determined auto manufacturers switch to polycarbonate, which is a hard type of plastic, more resistant to shattering.
However, there is a downside to polycarbonate. Its porosity leads to a tendency to collect dirt and grime. Headlights made from acrylic are also affected by the same problems. To counteract this issue, an anti-UV film was added to protect the headlights. This coating usually does its job for several years.
But what causes headlights to become foggy? There are multiple factors involved: the heat from the light bulb, exposure to UV rays, debris your vehicle encounters on the road, harsh chemicals used by some detailed car wash shops – your car’s headlights are almost constantly being worn down in one way or another.
Why Do You Need to Fix Foggy Headlights?
Cloudy headlights are for most vehicle owners a cosmetic concern, as they spoil the car’s appearance. However, this issue is also one of safety. A mattified headlight prevents the entire light output from being projected onto the road (foggy headlights can reduce their light output by as much as 50%), and this becomes even more of an issue in foggy or bad weather.
According to AAA research, signs of deterioration in headlights can appear as early as three years into car use, but it commonly occurs after five years. The study mentions that professional restorations of headlights are the most cost-effective option, returning light output back to approximately 70% of the original. Inspecting your headlights and improving their performance are vital steps to take in order to ensure your safety on the road, especially at night.
How To Restore Headlights at Home
There are multiple maintenance aspects to consider in a car and most owners are trying to reduce costs before looking up ‘mobile detailing near me’ by trying some DIY remedies. These can work if the headlights are not severely fogged and usually include:
- Washing the headlights thoroughly with water and soap so you have a clean surface to work on;
- Baking soda paste – mix baking soda with water to form a paste, apply with a sponge, and polish with small circular motions;
- Toothpaste – apply toothpaste to the headlights and scrub with a dry cloth;
- Vinegar – this method requires you to remove lenses and soak them in white vinegar for an hour. Wash grime away with a sponge and put the lenses back once dry.
These methods are cheap and easy to do at home but do not guarantee lasting results because they cannot protect against future yellowing. Staff at a detail car wash can do a much better job with restoring your headlights.
How To Prevent Headlights from Getting Foggy in the First Place
Headlights become foggy after years of neglect, so preventing this issue from emerging is better than finding a cure. The first rule of thumb when it comes to headlight maintenance is protecting your vehicle from UV rays. Sunlight is very damaging to the car’s paint, too, leading to premature paint correction jobs. Park your car in the garage or under a shady tree. If you have no option, at least face the headlights away from the sun.
Washing your car regularly and polishing them with a non-abrasive cloth are also simple yet effective methods for removing the first signs of yellowing, which are often invisible to the naked eye.
Professional Headlight Restoration Method and Its Benefits
Professional headlight restoration is more effective because it involves the following steps: sanding the headlights to remove the damaged outer layer, polishing to remove scratches that collect dirt, sealing headlights with a clear coat to prevent yellowing, and restoring the headlight’s watertight seal to prevent condensation from forming inside the lens. The procedure is relatively simple and does not last for too long, but it requires professional auto detailing products and special equipment.
Having your headlights professionally restored comes with several solid benefits you would not enjoy by cleaning them at home:
- Saving time and money as the procedure is affordable and fast;
- Bringing the performance of headlights very close to the original;
- Improving the aesthetic appearance of your car;
- Improving your safety and visibility during your night rides;
- Maintaining the overall value of your vehicle;
- Being able to maintain the original headlights.
The optimal solution for restoring your headlights in an effective and lasting manner is taking your car to an auto spa session at Stuey’s Green Auto Clean, which can include anything from hand car wash to car interior cleaning and car polish and wax. Contact our team today and we'll get back to you within 24 hours!
