Are you having trouble with your automobile’s headlights? Have they become oxidized and dirty? Are you having difficulty with visibility while driving? No matter how much you clean them they don’t seem to get better.
This may indicate that the headlights are not dirty from the outside anymore but they also require a cleaning from the inside. You are not alone in your worry because foggy headlights trouble almost all drivers. No need to fret! We are here to guide you through the process of solving this issue.
As a driver, you may already know that headlights are a vital part of your vehicle. They are just like your eyes, they illuminate the driving path and also help to communicate with the subsequent traffic. Especially during nighttime driving and during fog, headlights are very important for your safety. Without the headlights working properly, you are basically just a blind driver.
Dirty headlights are a safety risk, therefore, we recommend you always clean your headlights properly before taking your car out.
What Are The Reasons Behind Dirt Build-Up And Oxidation In The Inside Of Headlights?
Before we move on to the process of headlight cleaning, it is a must to know why the headlights tend to get dirty with time.
The constant beating from the dirt and gravel on the road damages the protective layer of the headlight. The gravel may scratch or fracture the lenses which provides a pathway for the particles from outside to enter inside the headlights. At this point, not only the outside but also the inside of the headlights tend to collect dirt and gravel. This leads to improper illumination and visibility difficulties.
The reason for oxidation and fogginess of headlights may be a little different. There are vents at the rear of the headlights which help to equalize the temperature of the headlights with the environment. This is done by allowing the air to flow in and out through these vents. In the working of this process, water vapors may get stuck inside the headlamps giving rise to that irritating fogginess.
How Do You Clean The Inside Of Your Headlights? – 4 Easy Steps
Now that we are done with the basics, let us get to the point.
When people hear about foggy headlights, their primary thought is that they’ll need to buy new headlights or will need to get headlights opened to get them cleaned. No need for expensive fixes, so let us help you clean your vehicle’s headlight on a budget. Just follow these few steps to get as good as new headlights.
Step 1 – Making The Cleaning Tool
Since you’ll be cleaning the inside of the headlights without opening them, your primary need would be a magnetic cleaning tool that could enter the headlight from the casing and reach every corner. A point to keep in mind is that it should be soft so that it does not cause any damage to the lens and the reflective surface of the headlight.
Firstly, take a soft fabric, like an old T-shirt. You can also use a sponge. Cut the fabric or sponge roughly to the size of your palm. In the case of a sponge, you’ll also need to cut out a pocket, roughly a little larger than the size of your magnet. Now place the magnet in the pocket that you made in the sponge. You can also place the magnet in the cloth if you prefer this method, but in the case of a cloth, you’ll need to stitch or glue it to prevent the magnet from falling out.
Step 2 – Clean the headlight
Remove the headlamp. The method to remove the headlamp depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Keeping this in mind, we prefer that you read the owner’s manual to get it done. Now that the headlamp is out of the way, the next step would be to get your hands on a stick or a grabber tool to hold the magnetic cleaner. Now, move the magnetic cleaner all around the headlight until you get rid of all the dirt and debris.
Step 3 – Remove the haze
Being done with the general cleaning, the next priority would be to get rid of the haziness. Dip the cleaning tool in the rubbing alcohol and use it to wipe off all the dirt and debris from the inner side of the lens. Make sure to be gentle and patient while you work on it.
Step 4 – Place the headlamp back
When your vehicle’s headlight is clean again. Place the headlamp back in its place. Again, for the placement, you’ll need that user manual.
How To Remove Moisture From A Sealed Headlight?
Removing moisture is relatively easy than removing dirt. All that you’ll need to do is to use a hair dryer to blow out the moisture. Make sure to blow the air at the vent and repeat the procedure till you get your desired result.
Conclusion
Clear headlights are extremely important for driving and their fogginess can be dangerous for both you and others on the road. No matter how lazy you feel, never ignore the condition of your vehicle’s headlight.
In our view, you can follow these simple steps to make sure that your vehicle’s headlights are as good as new without spending a ton of money. Just be sure that you are careful while you work to not damage the headlights.
