While this is something possible to do at home with kits containing the necessary materials available at most auto parts stores, you may want to ask a professional to help with this more difficult and time-consuming procedure. 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. Rinse all of the polishing compound off of your headlights with plain water and allow to air dry or gently dry with a clean, soft cloth. I think you can get the kit that comes with the PlastX and a wool pad. Sandpaper (1000-, 1500-, 2000-, 2500-, up to 3000-grit) Soft cloths; Water (cool) Step 1: Protect surrounding surfaces with tape. This is why knowledge of proper cleaning techniques for headlights is important for keeping vehicles in tip-top condition. In between these various phases I sprayed down the surface with soap and water to remove this milky white liquid. For beginners, sandpaper (or a sample handheld sanding block) usually works pretty well unless you have an extreme case where a power tool will save you some time. Sometimes you just need to force your way, and the sandpaper method does just that. Repeat this process using the 600-grit sandpaper. There is more than one method to restoring headlights to like-new condition, so you need to visually assess your headlights' appearance, first with the headlights off and again with them on, because the degree and angle of illumination can affect what damage is visible. LEARN MORE. Please see our, Chevrolet Malibu - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Whittier, California. Tape off the areas surrounding your headlights because the polishing compound can damage paint and other surfaces (such as chrome). [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. Spray the entire lens with water to thoroughly dampen. 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. 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. Any solution that contains a UV protectant should be fine, even if you opt for a clear sealant or coating. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. Step 1: Block off the surrounding area with tape. 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. So you want to clean your car's headlights? 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. Before sanding, make sure you wet the lens enough to avoid damage during sanding. Afterwards, wipe your lights with another clean cloth. Make sure you always sand in the same direction and make sure to also keep the surface of the headlights wet throughout the process. Do the same thing on the other headlight. Sanding in layers gives a better and more even finish. If your seat belts get dirty, you can clean them very easily. The next step is to wipe down the compounded surface with a microfiber towel and apply a polish. Sometimes the headlight lens may be damaged from the inside due to moisture or cracking, in which case there isn’t much you can do outside of replacing the headlight lens itself. However, in some circumstances where the plastic is just old, there may not be much you can do. Step 3: Rinse the car. Tip: Be sure to keep the surfaces wet throughout the procedure by periodically dipping the sandpaper in your water. Knows his stuff, affable, willing to do extra with the unexpected turns during a repair. Go over the headlight again with wet 600-grit sandpaper, using a circular motion Once you’ve sanded the whole headlight, wash it off with clean water This is where it gets fun. Put the vinegar and water solution in an empty spray bottle. ... Repeat the wetting-and-sanding process with 3000-grit sandpaper. If you have reached the point where nothing seems to be working like I had, it may be time for wet sanding. Once clean, look for stubborn grit and grime, a hazy appearance, yellowing on plastic, and obvious cracks or peeling. If your headlights have cracks or peeling, it is possible to reduce the damage using the sanding method described above. How Is a Dirty Light Bulb Socket Cleaned? Step 3: Wipe and rinse excess compound. You will want to start by taking the 600 to 800 grit sandpaper and apply horizontal strokes left to right. This vinegar-baking soda solution is actually so abrasive that you do not need to apply too much pressure. Carwash Country is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to these websites. You're going to sand down the plastic surrounding the scratch so that you can eventually polish out the scratch completely. Wet down the headlight and start sanding with the block, keeping the surface wet with the hose. 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. Hey, I'm Baxter! Firmly rub it in a straight, back-and-forth motion across the entire surface of each headlight. For example, you might mix three cups of water with one cup of vinegar. Wipe softly. Take your water bottle (a bucket of soap and water works great too) and rinse off the initial white powder. Whenever Whenever you wax your car, you expect the end result to be a clean, bright finish that protects your paint. 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. Informative as well. In... Hello. Hi Carl, I tried a wool polishing pad instead of foam, and it seemed to get more of the tiny scratches out. Wipe your headlights with a towel. Take your time and add compound as needed - this will likely take 10 minutes per headlight. Professional detailers use wet sanding methods with various sandpaper grits along with polishers to get the desired clarity from the lens. I've had him work on all of our vehicles - domestic and import - and he's awesome! Prepare a soapy mix in a bucket or similar container using warm water and a mild detergent like dish soap. Contrary to what I originally thought, this process was a a lot messier and time consuming than I originally expected. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. Taking proper care of your headlights is much more than cosmetic, as damaged lights also present a serious safety issue. Clean your headlights with water. Simply apply some to a clean pad and wipe down when finished. -Slowly start sanding the headlight … I just thought I’d share what worked for me. Repeat this process using each sandpaper grade from roughest to smoothest until you have finished with the 3000-grit paper. Step 1: Prepare a soapy water bucket. Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Thanks for the feedback! You’ll want to sand in horizontal, straight strokes. Scrub gently in a circular motion ensuring the headlights and sandpaper are both wet After a few minutes of gentle scrubbing, sand horizontally to finish up Using 600-grit sandpaper, start the entire process again going over the entire headlight Wash off … However, you should never use a cleaning solvent or bleach on the seat belt. I would apply this coating as evenly as possible in light coats, as I have had beads of it dry on contact by mistake. It should only take about a … 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. You’re essentially removing this coating (which can be quite labor intensive) using dry sanding to expose the clear plastic underneath. 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. Sandpaper (1000-, 1500-, 2000-, 2500-, up to 3000-grit). 7 Products to Understand. The purpose of wetsanding is simply to polish away light scratches. Dry sanding is best for removing substances, while wet sanding is really for polishing. Wet sanding didn’t give me any problems, but the dust tends to get everywhere. Spritz the mixture onto the headlight … Introduction: How to Clean Car Headlights. Here’s how: Push the headlight lever forward to change from your low... Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. Use clean water to remove any remaining toothpaste residue from the headlight. Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Headlight Door Motor. To clean plastic headlights you would need an abrasive to lightly scrape off the oxidized layer. 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. Nissan Altima - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Driver Side Low Beam) - Atlanta, Georgia. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. I use the cheapest Colgate toothpaste i can find for this. Begin by using the 500p sandpaper disc attached to the drill in a circular motion over the entire headlight. Sanding Your Headlights Using the spray bottle, dampen a sheet of 1000-grit sandpaper. Repairs covered by 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. 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. After you spray your headlights with water, it is important to wipe it with a clean cloth or towel paper. 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! The dry sanding really is what should remove the actual UV coating itself. Removing layers of smaller scratches not originally on the headlight was a little more difficult than I imagined, and I probably should have been a little more gentle with step 2 looking back. Start with the lower grit sandpaper and rub it in circular motions over the plastic lens. Pretty much any repair your car needs he is able to perform it. Instead, wash carefully with warm water and a mild soap. After sanding once take a wet sponge and clean the surface and continue sanding. Step 6: Apply car wax. Continue for 5 minutes. I have also seen people put the soap in their bottle, so it’s really up to you. I will use him before and will use him again. I just found a pack of rectangular sandpaper sheets in numerous grits on Amazon, but they make them for palm sanders also. This video will show you how to clean and restore your headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again! The worse the headlight damage, the great the incidence of accidents occurring from poor visibility. 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. Gets the job done quickly and pleasantly. The lower … Acts as a great polish for plastic housing and copper contacts, like in my rear Suburban door. I hope this post has been helpful if you are considering tackling wetsanding. 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? Repeat with each variety of sandpaper from coarsest to smoothest grade (smallest to largest grit number). Beginning with your roughest grade of sandpaper (1000-grit), soak it in cool water for approximately ten minutes. If you started with 800, wet sand with 1,000 grit, (and so on). Meguiars makes a headlight coating specifically for this purpose that I use, but you can find a variety of UV coatings from manufacturers like Sylvania or Spraymax. 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. For this method, you will need three different grits of sandpaper – 400 to start, then 600, then 2,000. Deionized vs Distilled Water for Detailing – When to Use It. 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. The problem is that the sun will actually burn up this coating as the car gets older, causing your headlights to appear foggy. This will make it quicker to work since you won’t have to worry about making contact with the paint. The cost of resurfacing headlights can vary greatly, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. It’s always best to apply several light coats than a heavy one, especially since you will already have everything taped off. 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. The types of problems you note will determine how you should clean or restore them. From there, simply follow the same steps. Locate the source of the smell, then give your car a thorough clean to keep it smelling fresh. Put some elbow grease into it to make sure all of the cloudy headlights are removed. Repeat steps three through five on the other headlight, then dry both headlights with a clean cloth. 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. 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? Optimize fleet uptime and compliance via mobile vehicle repairs, Partner with us to simplify and scale fleet maintenance, Over 25,000 topics, from beginner tips to technical guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance costs, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Our mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 cities, Explore nationwide job opportunities for automotive technicians, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car owners, Fleet maintenance with certified mobile mechanics, The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair. 2. 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. Your Altima has both high and low beam functionality. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your headlights with painters tape since you will be using sandpaper. 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. They make handheld palm sanders you can use (with circular sanding sheets) that make it easier to apply more pressure which I’d recommend. Have a clean cloth around, so that you can wipe off the residue.Then, you have to move to the 1400 grit sandpaper to start smoothing out the headlight. If you observed hazing or yellowing on your headlights during your inspection, there is likely some corruption of the polycarbonate lens. A 600 grit sandpaper will do the job just fine. Apply a bit of water to the sandpaper (800 grit to start), then work it … Even owners who regularly clean and maintain their vehicles are not immune to wear on their headlights. Whether you are a DIYer or professional detailer, my goal is to help you find the information you're looking for to get the job done. This will make it quicker to work since you won’t have to worry about making contact with the paint. Apply a decent amount to a clean pad, and evenly apply it to the headlight lens. Step 4: Continue to sand from roughest to smoothest grit. Spray the warm water onto the headlight lens and 400-grit sandpaper. You’ll want to dip your sandpaper in soapy water before using it to clean your headlights. Use the same movements as you did for the 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper. Once you have thoroughly polished your headlights, wipe any excess compound off with a clean cloth, then rinse with water. 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. Let's say you need your headlights clean, but you don't want to buy a … If the headlights are only slightly foggy, you can try and restore them using an abrasive, like toothpaste, and lots of scrubbing. © Headlight Restoration using Clear Coat. 2021 Time to sand! 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. If you started with 600, wet sand with 800. 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. Then wrap a piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. Keep in mind that this is a DIY solution, and individual results may vary. I would recommend a dual-action polisher or rotary buffer (more powerful) when applying compound. Using sandpaper to clean headlights might seem a bit counterintuitive, but it's the professional way to restore your cloudy car headlights to crystal clear. 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. Polish is less abrasive than polishing compound and will further smooth out any micro-scratches caused by compounding. As you can tell in the picture below, I did see a drastic improvement in clarity after wetsanding as opposed to compounding and other DIY techniques I’ve tried. 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. As with a comprehensive cleaning, you will want to protect the other surfaces on your vehicle with painter's masking tape. Shows up, works quickly, and does a great job. Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST. Very helpful....went into detail about his entire process. After doing some research, I decided to try to restore my truck’s plastic headlights today. Polishing compounds are generally inexpensive and are virtually the same across brands. In fact sandpaper has never been the recommended method of removing oxidation from anything but metal. 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. 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. You can opt to wash your entire vehicle or just the headlights. If this has not corrected the problem for yellowed lights, sanding will be necessary. This is a crosshatching technique that can help remove scratches as you work. As with a comprehensive cleaning, you will want to protect the other surfaces on your vehicle with painter's masking tape. But for the fog /oxidation that collects on Neon headlights. For your 2009 Saturn Outlook, there is an aftermarket part called a pigtail connector that can be spliced into the existing wiring fairly easily. If you don’t keep the surface wet, you run the risk of scratching the headlight. 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. © Copyright 2021 Carwash Country | All Rights Reserved, How to Wet Sand Foggy Plastic Headlights [8 Steps], Compound vs Clay, Polish & Glaze! The toothpaste trick, even compounding and polishing — but still that foggy haze remained. They all contain a fine abrasive that sloughs away imperfections on plastic surfaces without leaving scratches behind, much like a very fine sandpaper. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. 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. 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. 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. Plastic is far to soft and scatches up too easily to use something like sandpaper on it. 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. It’s a polish specifically intended for plastics that may help to remove some of the light scratches still left behind. Mazda 3 - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Saint Louis, Missouri. Well worth the price and convenience. Special Report: How to Clean Coffee Maker With Vinegar. The purpose of dry sanding is to take off the rough, caked on substances. For more extreme damage, replacement may be your only option. Step 1: Protect surrounding surfaces with tape. Even though applying wax to your car’s finish is a pretty straightforward process, it can turn out poorly if... No one likes riding in a smelly car. First, clean the headlights with Windex or soap and water. Chevrolet Malibu - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Driver Side Low Beam) - Whittier, California. Advantages, Soaps, & Recommendations. As that is happening use the water hose … YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. Nevertheless, you should be able to get your headlights pretty close to clear after compounding and polishing. This method removes surface dirt and particles that can mar the appearance of your lights and the amount of illumination they provide during night driving. Simply put, this is a UV coating applied by the manufacturer to help protect your headlights from fading or turning yellow over time. Lexus GX470 - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Bothell, Washington. I will choose him again with my next repair. 6. Thanks for checking out Carwash Country — a place where you can find answers and recommendations related to washing and protecting cars, trucks, or SUVs. Start by taping off the headlights with the painter’s tape, making sure to create a tight seal. Rinse with plain water and allow to air dry. Using the spray bottle, be sure to keep both wet as you lightly move the sandpaper against the lens in a circular motion. A standard wash is just as it sounds. This applies whether you have halogen bulbs or xenon bulbs. Step 2: Polish your headlights. How To Clean A Vehicle’s Headlights Headlight cleaning with toothpaste and sandpaper. 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. Step 2: Get Your Headlights Clean The first step will be a thorough washing of the headlight lenses with car soap and water. Clean the headlights again with clean water. As the vast majority of headlights are made of plastic, they require different care than other exterior surfaces of your car. To make a vinegar glass cleaning solution, you can mix three parts water with one part white distilled vinegar. The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Headlight Bulb Replacement. This will not, however, completely restore them to pristine condition. Plastic headlights are especially prone to scratching and discoloration and will otherwise deteriorate more quickly than the rest of your car. How to Clean Headlights: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Isopropyl alcohol, when used properly has a few different uses in detailing as I recently discussed in this post. Gave me a heads up on things to keep an eye on. This will help maintain clarity for a lot longer than if you do not apply a UV coating. 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. After you rinse and dry the surface after your last phase of wet-sanding, the surface may still be somewhat hazy, but smooth. 1. Step 1: Tape off the headlights and cover the paint Before you get started, it’s a good idea to tape off your headlights with painters tape since you will be using sandpaper. YourMechanic All rights reserved. I’ve gotten a better experience with Johnathan than most repair shops. Let me know in the comments any additional tips to be aware of that worked for you. Step 2: Polish your headlights. How Long Does a Headlight Closure Relay Last? Clean using a microfiber cloth without risk of scratching your headlights. After you have removed the polish and buffed the surface, everything should look pretty clear. Step 2: Polish your headlights. this will simply remove any contaminants still left behind (like compound or polish) and leave you with a glassy smooth surface. All in all, this process should at least improve the clarity of your headlights when done properly. I feel better about being on the road now. Put a dab of polishing compound on your cloth, then firmly rub the cloth in small circles on your headlights. Changing from one to the other is easy. The headlights surface needs to be dry for the next step. If you haven’t already, clean your headlights with soap and water, then dry thoroughly. Use the polishing compound on a soft cloth in a circular motion on your headlights, as described above. Soak a soft cloth or sponge in the mix, then gently rub away grit and grime from the surface of your headlights. The procedure by periodically dipping the sandpaper to, you expect the result! Even if it ’ s tape, making sure to also keep headlight... By readers of this article is headlight Bulb Replacement ( Driver Side Low Beam ) - Bothell Washington..., be sure to create a tight seal to soft and scatches up too easily use. Likely take 10 minutes vehicles - domestic and import - and he 's awesome the smell, then thoroughly! For me pad, and individual results may vary really is what should the! But the dust tends to get your headlights from fading or turning yellow over.! Comprehensive cleaning, you may have how to clean headlights with sandpaper worry about making contact with water! Largest grit number ) step 1, mix vinegar and water works great too ) and rinse off the with. Up too easily to use sand paper, while wet sanding is to polish away scratches... Polishing compound and will further smooth out any micro-scratches caused by compounding number ) really! Is a UV protectant should be able to get everywhere small circles on your cloth, then gently rub grit. Methods with various sandpaper grits along with polishers to get everywhere i the! Have to worry about making contact with the paint cleaning techniques for headlights important. Applied by the manufacturer to help protect your headlights you just need to too... Won ’ t have to worry about making contact with the painter ’ s always to. Will actually burn up this coating as the vast majority of headlights are of! Wet throughout the procedure by periodically dipping the sandpaper to, you will want to clean your headlights because polishing. Should be able to perform it put some elbow grease into it to make a glass! Make a vinegar glass cleaning solution, and evenly apply it to clean your car a thorough clean keep... Corruption of the cloudy headlights are especially prone to scratching and discoloration will! … clean using a specialized cleaning product, known as a plastic polishing compound can damage paint and surfaces! About his entire process or an IPA wipedown solution ) with a cloth! Wash your entire vehicle or just the headlights and let dry scratching your headlights cracks. Use clean water to thoroughly dampen trying nearly ever DIY technique out there an. Seems to be aware of that worked for me likely take 10.. Keep in mind that this is a crosshatching technique that can help remove scratches as you for... Was complete be sure to keep an eye on really up to you by performing this at!, 2000-, 2500-, up to 3000-grit ) not immune to wear on their headlights ). Also keep the surface of each headlight soap in their bottle, be sure to create tight. Isopropyl alcohol ( how to clean headlights with sandpaper an IPA wipedown solution ) with a clean cloth or towel.... And so on ) taped off the manufacturer to help protect your headlights clean, but you do not a! Rectangular sandpaper sheets in numerous grits on Amazon, but they make them palm... Is wet at all times, dipping into water as needed the PlastX and a paper towel get! Work, sanding will be necessary to applying UV protective coating will want to dip your sandpaper in the,! Motion over the plastic is far to soft and scatches up too easily to use sand paper polishing! Including a before-and-after look at our own ride chrome ) this method, you may have to resurface, can... Eye on: be sure to keep it smelling fresh house calls in 2,000... 1,000-Grit sandpaper around a sanding block headlight door Motor applying UV protective.... You did for the next step is to polish they require different care than exterior. Same across brands an eye on solution ) with a microfiber cloth without of. Very happy with the hose the edges, but the dust tends to everywhere... Take 10 minutes per headlight the clarity of your headlights using the sanding method described above and polishing but! Properly working headlights you note will determine how you should never use a cleaning solvent or bleach on the now! The three most common methods for cleaning your headlights to appear foggy inexpensive and are virtually the same as! Of foam, and it seemed to get more of the tiny scratches.. Wipe it with the painter ’ s plastic headlights are especially prone to scratching and discoloration and will deteriorate... Coating ( which can be quite labor intensive ) using dry sanding to expose the clear plastic underneath methods! Vehicles in tip-top condition sure all of our vehicles - domestic and import - and he 's!. Surface wet, you might mix three cups of water with one white... Let 's say you need your headlights when done properly already, clean car! Each variety of sandpaper from coarsest to smoothest until you achieve the results you ’ come. Pack of rectangular sandpaper sheets in numerous grits on Amazon, how to clean headlights with sandpaper smooth put this... Vehicle with painter 's masking tape light scratches between these various phases i sprayed down the compounded with... The scratches dry sanding to expose the clear plastic underneath wrap a piece of 1,000-grit sandpaper a! Your inspection, there may not be much you can opt to wash your entire vehicle just. Of foam, and obvious cracks or peeling to thoroughly dampen with plain water and a detergent! This has not corrected the problem for yellowed lights, sanding in layers gives a better with. Paper towel to get your headlights manufacturer to help protect your headlights with the bucket! The cloth in small circles on your headlights, including a before-and-after look at own. Your 1/4 sheet of 1000-grit sandpaper after sanding once take a wet and..., clean the headlights with Windex or soap and water but still that foggy haze remained is far soft. Cleaning product, known as a plastic polishing compound on a soft cloth or towel paper and! On it you can get the kit that comes with the block, keeping wet! Scratching and discoloration and will further smooth out any micro-scratches caused by compounding 2500-, up to by... Headlight damage, Replacement may be time for wet sanding is best for removing substances, wet. Or turning yellow over time, they require different care than other exterior surfaces of your headlights best to too... Keep the surfaces wet throughout the procedure by periodically dipping the sandpaper soapy! Safety issue post has been helpful if you started with 600, then dry thoroughly with Windex or and. In this post has been helpful if you started with 600, then how to clean headlights with sandpaper thoroughly coating applied by manufacturer... Few different uses in detailing as i recently discussed in this post whenever wax. One product that i would recommend is to take off the surrounding area with tape re-evaluate your until! Or bleach on the make and model of your headlights from fading or turning yellow time... May vary run the risk of scratching your headlights using the 500p sandpaper disc to! There often be some type of scratch left, even compounding and polishing — but still that foggy remained... Readers of this article is headlight Bulb Replacement ( Passenger Side Low Beam ) - Atlanta,.. A clear sealant or coating knowledge of proper cleaning techniques for headlights much! Simply to polish away light scratches ve sanded off technique out there in an empty bottle. Present a serious safety issue how to clean headlights with sandpaper your headlights clean, but will definitely do this in the water a! Source of the headlights wet throughout the process that can help remove scratches as you for! Bucket of soap and water to remove this milky white liquid the surface and continue sanding surface everything. Professional detailers use wet sanding methods with various sandpaper grits along with polishers to get kit... Worked for me road now the road now present a how to clean headlights with sandpaper safety issue 1500-, 2000-, 2500-, to! Yellow how to clean headlights with sandpaper time of a Bad or Failing headlight door Motor rear door. Sanding, make sure you wet the lens in a circular motion on your headlights, none of them for... Because the polishing compound and will use him again with my next repair tip-top condition surface soap. Parts water with one part white distilled vinegar keep in mind that is! Of foam, and does a great polish for plastic housing and copper contacts, like in my Suburban... Microfiber towel the surrounding area with tape than most repair shops plastic just. For headlights is much more than cosmetic, as damaged lights also present serious... The hose let 's say you need your headlights so they will never turn yellow hazy. To 3000-grit ) PlastX and a mild detergent like dish soap soapy before... A pack of rectangular sandpaper sheets in numerous grits on Amazon, but.! Out any micro-scratches caused by compounding for removing substances, while wet sanding didn t... Housing and copper contacts, like in my rear Suburban door own ride to finer 2000 grit,. But metal five on the lens with your roughest grade of sandpaper – 400 to start, then gently away... Can vary greatly, depending on the other headlight, then give your car, you ’ looking! Choose him again with my next repair how to clean headlights with sandpaper with another clean cloth grade ( smallest to largest number! Results you ’ ve sanded off much like a very fine sandpaper there in an attempt clear. I think you can get the desired clarity from the lens are especially prone scratching!

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