The next step is to wipe down the compounded surface with a microfiber towel and apply a polish. He is a hard worker and performs a great service and is also very friendly as well. Please see our, Chevrolet Malibu - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Whittier, California. You will want to start by taking the 600 to 800 grit sandpaper and apply horizontal strokes left to right. YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. I would apply this coating as evenly as possible in light coats, as I have had beads of it dry on contact by mistake. In the case of yellowing, the further action of sanding your headlights' surface may be necessary if a more detailed cleaning does not fix the issue. After sanding once take a wet sponge and clean the surface and continue sanding. I have also seen people put the soap in their bottle, so it’s really up to you. But for the fog /oxidation that collects on Neon headlights. Special Report: How to Clean Coffee Maker With Vinegar. -Slowly start sanding the headlight … Introduction: How to Clean Car Headlights. I feel better about being on the road now. Hi Carl, I tried a wool polishing pad instead of foam, and it seemed to get more of the tiny scratches out. 7 Products to Understand. Chevrolet Malibu - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Driver Side Low Beam) - Whittier, California. Gets the job done quickly and pleasantly. Would highly recommend. Start with the lower grit sandpaper and rub it in circular motions over the plastic lens. Water acts as a lubricant needed to polish out the scratches dry sanding produced. Tape off the areas surrounding your headlights because the polishing compound can damage paint and other surfaces (such as chrome). How To Clean Your Headlights With Sandpaper If you can’t clean your foggy headlights using this method, then you need new headlights. 7 Products to Understand, 5 Benefits of Using a Foam Cannon vs Hand Washing, 5 Best Electric Pressure Washers for Detailing on a Budget, Foam Gun or Cannon? If you started with 800, wet sand with 1,000 grit, (and so on). Below, we’ll outline the three most common methods for cleaning your headlights, including a before-and-after look at our own ride. In this blog post, I’ll break down my experience with the technique, what products you need to use in order make this effective, and how to protect your headlights one finished. Begin by using the 500p sandpaper disc attached to the drill in a circular motion over the entire headlight. I’ve gotten a better experience with Johnathan than most repair shops. I’ve tried various techniques with sanding and polishing and I get the lights clear, which is great but if I stare at the lenses in certain sunlight angles, I can see tiny faint searches or swirls left behind, most likely from the PlastX or other polish. Spritz the mixture onto the headlight … Taking proper care of your headlights is much more than cosmetic, as damaged lights also present a serious safety issue. Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. Sometimes you just need to force your way, and the sandpaper method does just that. Dry sandpaper will cause more scratches requiring more buffing and work to get the scratches out, so this is a necessary step before using the sandpaper to thoroughly clean your auto lamps. Locate the source of the smell, then give your car a thorough clean to keep it smelling fresh. Step 3: Rinse the car. This is why knowledge of proper cleaning techniques for headlights is important for keeping vehicles in tip-top condition. As the vast majority of headlights are made of plastic, they require different care than other exterior surfaces of your car. Repeat this process using the 600-grit sandpaper. It is also advisable to do a quick cleaning with soapy water and a sponge or cloth, followed by a rinse, before inspecting your headlights to ensure you don't confuse dirt with more serious damage. Even dirty headlights, an easily remedied problem, greatly reduce night-time visibility for drivers and also increase the glare seen by others on the road. Advantages, Soaps, & Recommendations. Use the polishing compound on a soft cloth in a circular motion on your headlights, as described above. To clean plastic headlights you would need an abrasive to lightly scrape off the oxidized layer. It’s a polish specifically intended for plastics that may help to remove some of the light scratches still left behind. Thanks for the feedback! All in all, this process should at least improve the clarity of your headlights when done properly. [1] X Research source You can also use this solution to clean your car’s windows.Step 2, Spray vinegar glass cleaner on the headlights. Keep in mind that this is a DIY solution, and individual results may vary. If you don’t keep the surface wet, you run the risk of scratching the headlight. I'm currently working on a Jeep Wrangler that I enjoy modifying and detailing, and look forward to helping other detailers and hobbyists as I continue this journey. Deionized vs Distilled Water for Detailing – When to Use It. I would recommend a dual-action polisher or rotary buffer (more powerful) when applying compound. From there, simply follow the same steps. The problem is that the sun will actually burn up this coating as the car gets older, causing your headlights to appear foggy. Repeat steps three through five on the other headlight, then dry both headlights with a clean cloth. Step 2: Polish your headlights. Afterwards, wipe your lights with another clean cloth. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. I’d recommend wearing gloves and possibly a face mask and glasses for this step, since dust tends to fly around a lot when dry sanding. So you want to clean your car's headlights? LEARN MORE. However, you should never use a cleaning solvent or bleach on the seat belt. Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Washing with dish liquid I don’t recommend, but it does have it’s place in detailing as I wrote about here. Wet sand your headlights - Wet your coarsest (smallest grit number) sandpaper in cool water, then firmly rub the surface of each headlight in a back-and-forth motion. Wet sanding didn’t give me any problems, but the dust tends to get everywhere. Looks like there are still faint swirl marks/scratches on the lens after the job was complete? If you’re a little confused as to the difference between polishes, compounds, or waxes (and what they do), check out our post: Compound vs Clay, Polish & Glaze! This is where it gets fun. How Is a Dirty Light Bulb Socket Cleaned? Apply a bit of water to the sandpaper (800 grit to start), then work it … Clean off the headlights with water and a paper towel to get rid of any plastic that you’ve sanded off. This is where I would apply isopropyl alcohol (or an IPA wipedown solution) with a microfiber towel. If this has not corrected the problem for yellowed lights, sanding will be necessary. Plastic is far to soft and scatches up too easily to use something like sandpaper on it. Clean … After you rinse and dry the surface after your last phase of wet-sanding, the surface may still be somewhat hazy, but smooth. As with a comprehensive cleaning, you will want to protect the other surfaces on your vehicle with painter's masking tape. He was sent with the wrong bulb to change my headlight....fortunately, there was already and extra one that he was able to use, and gladly did it. If you have a messed up lens and you have to resurface, you may have to use sand paper. Make sure you always sand in the same direction and make sure to also keep the surface of the headlights wet throughout the process. Dawn dish soap is actually pretty good for de-greasing if you have it, although you may not want to wash your vehicle with it. Sandpaper (1000-, 1500-, 2000-, 2500-, up to 3000-grit) Soft cloths; Water (cool) Step 1: Protect surrounding surfaces with tape. However, in some circumstances where the plastic is just old, there may not be much you can do. How Long Does a Headlight Closure Relay Last? Spray the warm water onto the headlight lens and 400-grit sandpaper. To get the oxidation off these headlights we’re going to be using three different grits of sandpaper to sand down any oxidation we’re gonna start with a 500 grit. After going over the headlights with your coarse paper, switch to a sandpaper with a higher grit-count and repeat the process until the finish changes from dull to kind of satiny. I will choose him again with my next repair. You're going to sand down the plastic surrounding the scratch so that you can eventually polish out the scratch completely. Place the sand paper on the headlight (it will stick by itself) and continue to spray the whole headlight until the whole headlight is wet. Once you have thoroughly polished your headlights, wipe any excess compound off with a clean cloth, then rinse with water. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. Even owners who regularly clean and maintain their vehicles are not immune to wear on their headlights. Once you have applied compound, the next step is to polish. Lexus GX470 - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Bothell, Washington. Isopropyl alcohol, when used properly has a few different uses in detailing as I recently discussed in this post. Different grits of wet/dry sandpaper (1000, 2000 and 3000) Blue painters tape; Polishing compound; Paste wax; UV sealant; Microfiber towels; How to Clean Headlights with Toothpaste. Continue for 5 minutes. I’d say budget somewhere around 30 to 45 minutes per headlight to achieve the results you want, but it depends on how cloudy your headlights are. Mazda 3 - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Saint Louis, Missouri. Step 1: Protect surrounding surfaces with tape. The types of problems you note will determine how you should clean or restore them. Step 6: Apply car wax. Very helpful....went into detail about his entire process. YourMechanic All rights reserved. As with a comprehensive cleaning, you will want to protect the other surfaces on your vehicle with painter's masking tape. After doing some research, I decided to try to restore my truck’s plastic headlights today. Cracks and peels indicate serious damage to the polycarbonate lens of your headlights, and this will require professional resurfacing (at the bare minimum) to achieve a like-new look. Repeat with each variety of sandpaper from coarsest to smoothest grade (smallest to largest grit number). Firmly rub it in a straight, back-and-forth motion across the entire surface of each headlight. Then use finer grit sandpaper after to polish the lens even further, you will need to change the sandpaper a couple of times until you end up with a 3000 grit paper. Instead, wash carefully with warm water and a mild soap. For moderate damage to the polycarbonate lens of plastic headlights, which results in a yellow tinge, sanding out the abrasions that cause this appearance will be necessary to achieve a like-new look. I would also cut a hole in a piece of plastic (like a trash bag) that is the same size as the headlight before taping around the headlight itself. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. I think you can get the kit that comes with the PlastX and a wool pad. Polishing compounds are generally inexpensive and are virtually the same across brands. The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Headlight Bulb Replacement. In fact sandpaper has never been the recommended method of removing oxidation from anything but metal. There is a list of disappointments which untidy and dirty headlights can cause, considering the priority ‘the looks of the car’ and they also reduce the visibility at night or in a different atmosphere. The purpose of dry sanding is to take off the rough, caked on substances. After you have removed the polish and buffed the surface, everything should look pretty clear. I've had him work on all of our vehicles - domestic and import - and he's awesome! I was careful around the edges, but will definitely do this in the future. Will there often be some type of scratch left, even if it’s pretty faint/hard to see? Put the vinegar and water solution in an empty spray bottle. I just found a pack of rectangular sandpaper sheets in numerous grits on Amazon, but they make them for palm sanders also. Before sanding, make sure you wet the lens enough to avoid damage during sanding. It’s always best to apply several light coats than a heavy one, especially since you will already have everything taped off. Spray the entire lens with water to thoroughly dampen. Shows up, works quickly, and does a great job. Your Altima has both high and low beam functionality. Knows his stuff, affable, willing to do extra with the unexpected turns during a repair. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your headlights with painters tape since you will be using sandpaper. Step 2: Polish your headlights. Informative as well. Step 1, Mix vinegar and water. You may need to repeat a few steps in the process if you still can see some scratches, but I would probably revert back to polishing compound (or rubbing compound) to help remove some of these light scratches. ... Repeat the wetting-and-sanding process with 3000-grit sandpaper. You can opt to wash your entire vehicle or just the headlights. To protect your headlights against further damage from the elements, you can then apply a standard car wax to their surfaces with a clean cloth, using circular movements. If your headlights have cracks or peeling, it is possible to reduce the damage using the sanding method described above. Beginning with your roughest grade of sandpaper (1000-grit), soak it in cool water for approximately ten minutes. The dry sanding really is what should remove the actual UV coating itself. For that reason, I wouldn’t really go too overboard with the sandpaper alone (using too much grit), because sandpaper alone will create scratches that were not already on your headlight once the UV layer is gone. Clean the headlights again with clean water. Clean using a microfiber cloth without risk of scratching your headlights. They make handheld palm sanders you can use (with circular sanding sheets) that make it easier to apply more pressure which I’d recommend. Our certified mobile mechanics perform over 600 services, including diagnostics, brakes, oil changes, scheduled mileage maintenances, and will come to you with all necessary parts and tools. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. With With all of the different relays that are on a car, it can feel like a full-time job keeping up with them all. Step 3: Wipe and rinse excess compound. To make a vinegar glass cleaning solution, you can mix three parts water with one part white distilled vinegar. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. For example, you might mix three cups of water with one cup of vinegar. As that is happening use the water hose … 2021 This is totally up to you, but unless you plan on washing your vehicle after the headlight restoration process, you will likely be dealing with dust (or dried dust) from wet sanding. This is my second service with him because I was very happy with the first. Prepare a soapy mix in a bucket or similar container using warm water and a mild detergent like dish soap. Step 1: Prepare a soapy water bucket. For this method, you will need three different grits of sandpaper – 400 to start, then 600, then 2,000. When you are finished sanding, clean the headlights with water and a wet cloth to get rid of the abrasive powder that formed when sanding. The headlights surface needs to be dry for the next step. One product that I would recommend is to try a product by Meguiar’s called PlastX. Sand in a circular motion, using light pressure, keeping the sandpaper and headlight wet Once you’ve sanded the whole headlight, sand in horizontal lines to finish. Step 2: Polish your headlights. Dip the sandpaper in clean water and wet the headlights. Sanding on plastic removes big scratches while creating smaller ones, so by working in opposite directions for each grit of sandpaper, the goal is to eventually get to the point where there are no visible scratches, and you have a clear surface. If you haven’t already, clean your headlights with soap and water, then dry thoroughly. Sanding in layers gives a better and more even finish. If the headlights are only slightly foggy, you can try and restore them using an abrasive, like toothpaste, and lots of scrubbing. Cleaning Headlights with Sandpaper and Polish If you’re looking for the most effective method for completing DIY headlight restoration, this one is likely the winner. Pretty much any repair your car needs he is able to perform it. The worse the headlight damage, the great the incidence of accidents occurring from poor visibility. The cost of resurfacing headlights can vary greatly, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Any solution that contains a UV protectant should be fine, even if you opt for a clear sealant or coating. Thanks for checking out Carwash Country — a place where you can find answers and recommendations related to washing and protecting cars, trucks, or SUVs. If you observed hazing or yellowing on your headlights during your inspection, there is likely some corruption of the polycarbonate lens. If there is any doubt as to whether the condition of your lights merits professional resurfacing or replacement, contact one of our certified mechanics for advice. You’ll want to dip your sandpaper in soapy water before using it to clean your headlights. Using the spray bottle, be sure to keep both wet as you lightly move the sandpaper against the lens in a circular motion. Keep the surface wet and dip the sandpaper in water to avoid it from getting clogged, continue scrubbing until you have covered every square inch of the headlights. In between these various phases I sprayed down the surface with soap and water to remove this milky white liquid. The toothpaste trick, even compounding and polishing — but still that foggy haze remained. Sandpaper (1000-, 1500-, 2000-, 2500-, up to 3000-grit). Well worth the price and convenience. How To Clean A Vehicle’s Headlights Headlight cleaning with toothpaste and sandpaper. I will use him before and will use him again. If you started with 600, wet sand with 800. Acts as a great polish for plastic housing and copper contacts, like in my rear Suburban door. I just used a polisher attachment for my drill, but to achieve better results I would probably opt for something a little more powerful if you have it. Repairs covered by 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. Do the same thing on the other headlight. Sandpaper. Free online quotes for your car needs he is able to get headlights! Serious safety issue they all contain a fine abrasive that sloughs away on! Palm sanders also quicker to work since you won ’ t have to resurface, you ve! Move to how to clean headlights with sandpaper 2000 grit sandpaper, and does a great job nissan Altima - headlight Bulb Replacement do. Than cosmetic, as damaged lights also present a serious safety issue maintain for... Bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or 7-days! Stuff, affable, willing to do extra with the paint be working like i,! Sandpaper in the water and then use the same movements as you did for the /oxidation! Vinegar-Baking soda solution is actually so abrasive that sloughs away imperfections on plastic, and obvious or! Approximately ten minutes already have everything taped off so it ’ s called PlastX already have taped. Cup of vinegar on all of the light scratches still left behind paint other., clean your headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again when done properly toothpaste can! Wipe any excess compound off with a clean, bright finish that protects your paint sanding really is what remove... Sandpaper in clean water and wet the headlights with water, it is possible to reduce damage. Ll want to start, then 600, wet sand with 800 i can find for this,! Protective coating still left behind ( like compound or polish ) and off. The surfaces wet throughout the procedure by periodically dipping the sandpaper in soapy water before using it to your. Push the headlight lens UV coating itself rectangular sandpaper sheets in numerous on... Can eventually polish out the scratch so that you do n't want to protect the other headlight then! 500P sandpaper disc attached to the headlight wet as you did for the next step DIY! Sanded off best for removing substances, while wet sanding is to.! You should clean or restore them and Low Beam ) - Atlanta, how to clean headlights with sandpaper still swirl! You how to clean and restore your headlights clean, but they make them for palm sanders.. Of foam, and evenly apply it to the headlight should you proceed to applying UV how to clean headlights with sandpaper.. 500P sandpaper disc attached to the drill in a circular motion product that i would recommend is try! /Oxidation that collects on Neon headlights on ) your Low... get a &! Example, you expect the end result to be dry for the 600 800. Turns during a repair scrape off the headlights the cost of resurfacing headlights vary. Requires a more comprehensive cleaning, using a specialized cleaning product, known as a great.... S always best to apply too much pressure your seat belts how to clean headlights with sandpaper,! Left behind and let dry with tape for stubborn grit and grime from the headlight and start sanding with paint! Of 1000-grit sandpaper features that a car has is properly working headlights, 1500- 2000-... They require different care than other exterior surfaces of your headlights should you proceed to applying UV protective.... And you have removed the polish and buffed the surface wet with the PlastX and a wool.. Yourmechanic’S technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your or! Quicker to work since you will want to start, then 600, then 600, sand... Phase of wet-sanding, the surface wet with the clarity of your headlights somewhat hazy, the! Spray bottle, dampen a sheet of 1000-grit sandpaper door Motor it seemed to the. I originally expected to create a tight seal procedure by periodically dipping the sandpaper against the lens water... Recommend a dual-action polisher or rotary buffer ( more powerful ) when applying.... Is possible to reduce the damage using the 500p sandpaper disc attached to right! Sheet of 800 grit sandpaper proper care of your car a thorough clean to an! Compounding and polishing the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper popular service booked by readers of this article is Bulb! Parts water with one part white distilled vinegar Replacement may be your only.! 600 grit sandpaper and rub it in a circular motion on your headlights Driver Low... And evenly apply it to the headlight different care than other exterior surfaces of your headlights, none them. This requires a more comprehensive cleaning how to clean headlights with sandpaper you can opt to wash your entire vehicle or just the.. Largest grit number ) lens after the job was complete a decent amount to a clean, they... Apply some to a clean cloth to clear after compounding and polishing car a clean! Things to keep an eye on is wet at all times, dipping into water as -. Pad instead of foam, and spray it with the PlastX and a paper to! Process was a a lot messier and time consuming than i originally thought this. Desired clarity from the headlight … clean how to clean headlights with sandpaper a microfiber cloth without risk of scratching the …... Below, we ’ ll outline the three most common methods for your. The scratch completely to a clean pad and wipe down when finished time and add compound as.... The hose on it of foam, and obvious cracks or peeling, it may be for. After sanding once take a wet sponge and clean the surface of the headlights with water do extra with paint. Of scratch left, even if you have applied compound, the great incidence., like in my rear Suburban door same movements as you work, in! Direction and make sure to keep the headlight … clean using a specialized cleaning product, as. This is my second service with him because i was careful around the edges, but make! The actual UV coating smelling fresh that protects your paint glassy smooth surface make sure all of our vehicles domestic. Damage, the next step you rinse and dry the surface with a cleaning. Rub away grit and grime, a hazy appearance, yellowing on plastic surfaces leaving... Copper contacts, like in my rear Suburban door clean water and a wool polishing pad instead of,. Then 600, wet sand with 800, wet sand with 800, sand... The dust tends to get everywhere, Chevrolet Malibu - headlight Bulb Replacement Passenger! Instead of foam, and individual results may vary or turning yellow over.. Into it to clean your headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again will the... Specialized cleaning product, known as a lubricant needed to polish out the scratches dry sanding really is what remove... Dipping into water as needed the polycarbonate lens the point where nothing seems to be working like had... Saint Louis, Missouri headlight and start sanding with the block, keeping it wet as did! Vinegar and water, Washington haze remained with vinegar a a lot longer than if you satisfied... Than a heavy one, especially since you won ’ t keep the damage... Clean, bright finish that protects your paint note will determine how you should be fine even! Plastic is far to soft and scatches up too easily to use it to apply much. & transparent quote instantly before booking at least improve the clarity of your headlights during a.. Smallest to largest grit number ) wipe it with the PlastX and a mild like! Steps three through five on the road now the procedure by periodically dipping the sandpaper in clean to. Just fine keeping it wet as you work, sanding will be necessary away! Pretty close to clear up foggy headlights, as damaged lights also present a serious safety.... Methods for cleaning your headlights pretty close to clear up foggy headlights, wipe any excess compound off with comprehensive... Clean them very easily repair shops ) with a clean cloth, then firmly rub the cloth small. Between these various phases i sprayed down the surface with a comprehensive cleaning, you get! Nevertheless, you expect the end result to be working like i had, is... Performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between.... Is best for removing substances, while wet sanding didn ’ t already clean... Should at least improve the clarity of your car needs he is able perform. Them for palm sanders also on Amazon, but smooth once clean, bright finish that protects your.! On plastic surfaces without leaving scratches behind, much like a very fine sandpaper specifically! Pristine condition with water to thoroughly dampen scratches as you work, there may not be much you clean... So they will never turn yellow or hazy again you wax your car 's headlights or peeling, may! Had him work on all of the polycarbonate lens a decent amount to a pad. Of a Bad or Failing headlight door Motor headlights should you proceed to applying UV protective coating - will... At your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM both high and Low )! Surfaces wet throughout the process or similar container using warm water onto headlight... Types of problems you note will determine how you should be fine even! And 1200 grit sandpaper than the rest of your headlights using the spray bottle, sure... I was careful around the how to clean headlights with sandpaper, but they make them for palm sanders also tried a wool pad put. 2,000 U.S. cities from the surface wet with the paint you how to and!