How to Fix a Cloudy Headlight Cover
A cleaning detail that car owners often overlook is the headlights. A hasty pass over the light covers during a routing car washing can leave behind dirt, bugs and gunk. Over time, oxidation due to smog, car cleaning residue and acidic rain can also occur take their tolls, leaving headlights with a yellowish, foggy film. The longer the headlights are neglected, the more compromised night visibility becomes. Give headlights a thorough cleaning to ensure bright, safe illumination.
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic cleaner
- Dish washing scrub brush
- Toothpaste
- Towels
- Polishing compound
- Painter's tape
- Soft cloths
- Phillips screwdriver (optional)
- Automotive paste wax
Instructions
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1
Create a solution of warm water and plastic cleaner. Scrub the headlight covers with the warm, soapy water, using a dish-washing scrub brush to remove stuck-on dirt. Dry the headlight covers with a towel.
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2
Smear toothpaste over the light covers. Toothpaste will penetrate the layer of oxidization. Using a towel, buff the headlights for several minutes until the film is removed. Wipe away the residual toothpaste, using a damp towel.
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3
Use polishing compound on the light covers if they have any minor scratches or scuff marks. Mask around the lights with painter's tape. Buff the lights with polishing compound for several minutes, using a soft cloth, until the marks are removed. Wipe away the residual compound with a damp towel.
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4
Remove the light covers if any grime appears to be on the the underside, using a Phillips screwdriver. Clean the light housing and backside of the light cover with warm, soapy water, using the scrub brush.
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5
Polish the headlight covers with automotive paste wax, using a soft cloth, to provide a protective coating.
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References
- Photo Credit headlight image by Carbonbrain from Fotolia.com
