Even after giving them a good cleaning from the outside, do your car’s headlights still appear dim and foggy? The issue may be internal. Over time, dirt, dust, and moisture can accumulate, reducing the brightness and clarity of your headlights. But don’t panic; it’s simpler than it might appear to clean the inside of your headlights. Let’s see “how to clean inside of headlights”
You must take your headlights out of the car and disassemble them to clean the insides of them. After that, clean the interior of the lens with a microfiber cloth and cleaning solution. The headlights should now be back together and in place on the car.
In this blog article, I’ll walk you through cleaning your headlights from the inside, enhancing safety, increasing visibility, and giving your car a brand-new look. So let’s get going!
Top 5 different reasons why you need to clean your headlights:
There are several reasons why you might need to clean your headlight covers:
- Dirt and grime buildup: Dirt, dust, and other debris can build up on your headlight covers over time, causing them to seem foggy and dull.
- Oxidation: Headlight covers commonly comprise plastic or polycarbonate, which oxidizes when exposed to sunshine and other environmental variables.
The covers may seem fuzzy or yellowed as a result of this.
- Scratches: Headlight covers can be damaged by road debris or cleaned with abrasive tools, causing them to seem foggy.
- Reduced visibility: If your headlight covers are dusty or fogged, the amount of light that can flow through is reduced, making it more difficult to see while driving at night or in low-light settings.
- Aesthetics: Cleaning your headlight covers may enhance the overall appearance of your car, making it appear fresher and more well-kept.
Also Read: How to Use a Steering Wheel Cleaner
How to clean inside of Headlights? [4 Step-by-step processes]
If you have the right tools and understand the procedure in detail, cleaning the inside of a car’s headlights will be simple. Before going through the process, let’s make a list of things you need to do the process.
Things you need to clean your headlights from inside
Here are the tools you will need to clean your headlights from the inside:
- Bucket of warm water: Fill a bucket with warm water and use it to wet the headlight lens.
- Screwdriver: Use a screwdriver to remove any screws or clips that are holding the headlight assembly in place.
- Detergent or toothpaste: Apply a small amount of detergent or toothpaste to a cleaning rag and use it to scrub the headlight lens.
Detergent and toothpaste contain abrasive particles that help remove dirt and grime.
- Cleaning rug: Use a clean rag or towel to remove the soapy solution from the headlight lens.
Easy 4 Step-by-step processes to clean the dirt from inside of headlights
Step 1: Open And Lift The Hood
To clean the headlights, you must first open and lift the hood. You now take the screwdriver and loosen the screws holding the lights.
Remove the appropriate screws since they may have different purposes depending on the car model.
Remove the cover and lay it away, along with the screws, to avoid losing them.
Step 2: Prepare The Cleaning Solution
You can now reach the lens after removing the cover. You prepare your cleaning solution at this point. Mix your detergent with some warm water, making sure it lathers well.
To address oxidation inside headlights, toothpaste comes in handy.
Step 3: Cleaning The Lens
Dip your cleaning rag into the cleaning solution and wipe the dirt away from the lens. Be cautious when removing the dirt, and avoid using too much power since this may shatter or harm the lens.
As you clean the dust, use the rug repeatedly. Once it seems clean, examine it for oxidation streaks.
Apply enough toothpaste to the lens and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Then, using the same gentle motion, you wash it off.
Step 4: Let It Dry
Allow it to dry after cleaning before reattaching it. Set it in the shade for a few minutes to dry. Before screwing it back in, give it a dry wipe.
Cleaning the headlights from the inside using Magnets
An inventive way to clean your headlights is by using two magnets. Let’s know how you can clean headlights from the inside using magnets.
- When swiping, the magnets should have uniform surfaces and be large enough to cover a broad area of your side mirror. Wrap two soft fabrics or rugs around the magnets to clean them.
- Insert one of the magnets into the headlamp with a gripping tool and guide it with the other magnet. When you move the magnet, the coating removes dirt and grime, leaving it pristine.
- After cleaning, remove the magnet using the gripping tool.
Note: The advantage of this headlamp maintenance approach is that no cleaning products or water are required.
5 Different DIY Hacks to clean headlights
Here are five ways to clean your headlights:
- Toothpaste
Apply toothpaste on a soft cloth and massage it in circular motions over the headlights. Rinse well with water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
- Baking soda and vinegar
Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Apply the paste to the headlights with a delicate cloth and set it for a few minutes. Rinse well with water and dry out with a clean towel.
- Commercial headlight cleaner
Many products are made mainly to clean headlights. Follow the directions on the bottle, which generally call for spraying the cleaner over the headlights and wiping it away with a towel.
- Sandpaper
Gently sand away the outer coating of the headlamp using fine-grit sandpaper. You can use this to remove any stains or scratches. To avoid damaging the headlight, use water while sanding.
- Buffing
Buff the headlights with a polishing compound using a buffing machine or a soft cloth. This will remove any oxidation and restore the headlights’ natural shine.
Top 5 benefits of cleaning your car headlights:
Here are some of the benefits of cleaning your headlights:
- Improved visibility: Over time, headlights can become foggy or yellowed due to exposure to the elements.
Cleaning them can help remove the buildup of grime, dirt, and oxidation, improving visibility and making it easier to see at night or during bad weather.
- Enhanced safety: When your headlights are clean and clear, it improves your visibility and makes you more visible to other drivers. This can help prevent accidents and ensure your safety on the road.
- Cost-effective: If your headlights are foggy or yellowed, you may be tempted to replace them, which can be expensive.
However, cleaning them is a more cost-effective solution to restore their clarity and improve performance.
- Resale value: If you plan to sell your car, clean headlights can help increase its value.
A well-maintained car with clean headlights is more attractive to potential buyers than one with foggy or yellowed headlights.
- Preventative maintenance: Regularly cleaning your headlights can help prevent future damage, such as oxidation or yellowing, and prolong their lifespan.
FAQs
How to get the moisture out of a sealed headlight?
Using a hairdryer to blow out the moisture with hot or dry air into the vent is the most straightforward way to get the moisture out without damaging the sealed headlamps.
You must wait for your headlights to cool before analyzing the data. Repeat the technique until you achieve the desired results.
Can you use WD40 to clean your headlights?
Yes, you can use WD-40 to clean your headlights. According to sources, including the official WD-40 website.
You can spray a generous amount of WD-40 onto the headlights and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth or soft loofah.
This can help remove buildup and muck from the headlights, making them more transparent and brighter.
However, it’s important to note that WD-40 is not a permanent solution and may not work for severely damaged or foggy headlights.
In those cases, it’s recommended to use a specialized headlight restoration kit or seek professional help.
How to remove oxidation from headlights?
There are several ways to remove oxidation from headlights. One method is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, as described.
You can also use a specialized headlight restoration kit, which typically includes sandpaper, polish, and a sealant.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of these methods may vary depending on the severity of the oxidation and the type of headlights. It’s also recommended to take preventive measures, such as applying a protective coating or parking in a shaded area, to avoid future oxidation.