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. 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. I just found a pack of rectangular sandpaper sheets in numerous grits on Amazon, but they make them for palm sanders also. Step 2: Begin washing your headlights. Prepare a soapy mix in a bucket or similar container using warm water and a mild detergent like dish soap. 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. Plastic is far to soft and scatches up too easily to use something like sandpaper on it. Any solution that contains a UV protectant should be fine, even if you opt for a clear sealant or coating. 1. Professional, personable, knowledgeable. 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. Informative as well. The worse the headlight damage, the great the incidence of accidents occurring from poor visibility. 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 Continue for 5 minutes. Keep the headlight wet as you work, sanding in a circular motion. For your 2009 Saturn Outlook, there is an aftermarket part called a pigtail connector that can be spliced into the existing wiring fairly easily. 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. YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. All in all, this process should at least improve the clarity of your headlights when done properly. Then move to finer 2000 grit sandpaper, keeping it wet as you sand. Keep in mind that this is a DIY solution, and individual results may vary. The purpose of dry sanding is to take off the rough, caked on substances. Am I seeing that accurately? The headlights surface needs to be dry for the next step. Clean the headlights again with clean water. Step 2: Get Your Headlights Clean The first step will be a thorough washing of the headlight lenses with car soap and water. This is a crosshatching technique that can help remove scratches as you work. Step 1: Protect surrounding surfaces with tape. 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. © Copyright 2021 Carwash Country | All Rights Reserved, How to Wet Sand Foggy Plastic Headlights [8 Steps], Compound vs Clay, Polish & Glaze! Polish is less abrasive than polishing compound and will further smooth out any micro-scratches caused by compounding. Step 2: Polish your headlights. 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. He is a hard worker and performs a great service and is also very friendly as well. Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. Instead, wash carefully with warm water and a mild soap. This is where I would apply isopropyl alcohol (or an IPA wipedown solution) with a microfiber towel. Gets the job done quickly and pleasantly. 7 Products to Understand. Start by taping off the headlights with the painter’s tape, making sure to create a tight seal. Before sanding, make sure you wet the lens enough to avoid damage during sanding. As the vast majority of headlights are made of plastic, they require different care than other exterior surfaces of your car. Simply apply some to a clean pad and wipe down when finished. 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. Ensure the sandpaper is wet at all times, dipping into water as needed. Wipe softly. This video will show you how to clean and restore your headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again! 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. Step 1: Prepare a soapy water bucket. Apply a decent amount to a clean pad, and evenly apply it to the headlight lens. Clean using a microfiber cloth without risk of scratching your headlights. The cost of resurfacing headlights can vary greatly, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. First, clean the headlights with Windex or soap and water. They make handheld palm sanders you can use (with circular sanding sheets) that make it easier to apply more pressure which I’d recommend. Deionized vs Distilled Water for Detailing – When to Use It. Spray the entire lens with water to thoroughly dampen. Shows up, works quickly, and does a great job. Here’s how: Push the headlight lever forward to change from your low... Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. Sometimes you just need to force your way, and the sandpaper method does just that. Please see our, Chevrolet Malibu - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Whittier, California. Start with the lower grit sandpaper and rub it in circular motions over the plastic lens. YourMechanic All rights reserved. Isopropyl alcohol, when used properly has a few different uses in detailing as I recently discussed in this post. Washing with dish liquid I don’t recommend, but it does have it’s place in detailing as I wrote about here. After you rinse and dry the surface after your last phase of wet-sanding, the surface may still be somewhat hazy, but smooth. 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. Sanding in layers gives a better and more even finish. Well worth the price and convenience. 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. 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. The toothpaste trick, even compounding and polishing — but still that foggy haze remained. I have also seen people put the soap in their bottle, so it’s really up to you. Take your water bottle (a bucket of soap and water works great too) and rinse off the initial white powder. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Headlight Door Motor. After trying nearly ever DIY technique out there in an attempt to clear up foggy headlights, none of them worked for me. You’re essentially removing this coating (which can be quite labor intensive) using dry sanding to expose the clear plastic underneath. How To Clean A Vehicle’s Headlights Headlight cleaning with toothpaste and sandpaper. In fact sandpaper has never been the recommended method of removing oxidation from anything but metal. I will choose him again with my next repair. 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. © 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. 2. For more extreme damage, replacement may be your only option. Pretty much any repair your car needs he is able to perform it. Step 3: Rinse the car. Repairs covered by 12-month/12,000-mile warranty. 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. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair. This applies whether you have halogen bulbs or xenon bulbs. Spray the warm water onto the headlight lens and 400-grit sandpaper. Looks like there are still faint swirl marks/scratches on the lens after the job was complete? 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. Special Report: How to Clean Coffee Maker With Vinegar. Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. I just thought I’d share what worked for me. Whenever Whenever you wax your car, you expect the end result to be a clean, bright finish that protects your paint. [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. Step 5: Rinse off the headlights and let dry. For example, you might mix three cups of water with one cup of vinegar. Even owners who regularly clean and maintain their vehicles are not immune to wear on their headlights. 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. Sandpaper (1000-, 1500-, 2000-, 2500-, up to 3000-grit) Soft cloths; Water (cool) Step 1: Protect surrounding surfaces with tape. 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 … Keep in mind, an orbital sander (or DA polisher) with sandpaper disks can work as well, just be sure that you are comfortable using them since you don’t want to apply too much heat to plastic. Sanding Your Headlights Using the spray bottle, dampen a sheet of 1000-grit sandpaper. I hope this post has been helpful if you are considering tackling wetsanding. 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. Soak the sandpaper in the water bucket for 10 minutes. But for the fog /oxidation that collects on Neon headlights. 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! Begin by using the 500p sandpaper disc attached to the drill in a circular motion over the entire headlight. Very helpful....went into detail about his entire process. 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. Locate the source of the smell, then give your car a thorough clean to keep it smelling fresh. I will use him before and will use him again. Hi Carl, I tried a wool polishing pad instead of foam, and it seemed to get more of the tiny scratches out. If the headlights are only slightly foggy, you can try and restore them using an abrasive, like toothpaste, and lots of scrubbing. This will not, however, completely restore them to pristine condition. Thanks for checking out Carwash Country — a place where you can find answers and recommendations related to washing and protecting cars, trucks, or SUVs. 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. If your headlights have cracks or peeling, it is possible to reduce the damage using the sanding method described above. Nissan Altima - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Driver Side Low Beam) - Atlanta, Georgia. Below, we’ll outline the three most common methods for cleaning your headlights, including a before-and-after look at our own ride. As that is happening use the water hose … Acts as a great polish for plastic housing and copper contacts, like in my rear Suburban door. Headlight Restoration using Clear Coat. Beginning with your roughest grade of sandpaper (1000-grit), soak it in cool water for approximately ten minutes. Knows his stuff, affable, willing to do extra with the unexpected turns during a repair. 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. Time to sand! Polishing compounds are generally inexpensive and are virtually the same across brands. Contrary to what I originally thought, this process was a a lot messier and time consuming than I originally expected. For this method, you will need three different grits of sandpaper – 400 to start, then 600, then 2,000. Clean … Chevrolet Malibu - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Driver Side Low Beam) - Whittier, California. 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. Use clean water to remove any remaining toothpaste residue from the headlight. Afterwards, wipe your lights with another clean cloth. Using the spray bottle, be sure to keep both wet as you lightly move the sandpaper against the lens in a circular motion. Once clean, look for stubborn grit and grime, a hazy appearance, yellowing on plastic, and obvious cracks or peeling. Professional detailers use wet sanding methods with various sandpaper grits along with polishers to get the desired clarity from the lens. Use the polishing compound on a soft cloth in a circular motion on your … Wet down the headlight and start sanding with the block, keeping the surface wet with the hose. Simply put, this is a UV coating applied by the manufacturer to help protect your headlights from fading or turning yellow over time. However, you should never use a cleaning solvent or bleach on the seat belt. Spray the headlights with the water and then use the sandpaper to, you know, sand. The types of problems you note will determine how you should clean or restore them. this will simply remove any contaminants still left behind (like compound or polish) and leave you with a glassy smooth surface. It’s always best to apply several light coats than a heavy one, especially since you will already have everything taped off. So you want to clean your car's headlights? Soak a soft cloth or sponge in the mix, then gently rub away grit and grime from the surface of your headlights. 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. This vinegar-baking soda solution is actually so abrasive that you do not need to apply too much pressure. Step 3: Start sanding the headlights. 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. 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. How to Clean Headlights: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow As with a comprehensive cleaning, you will want to protect the other surfaces on your vehicle with painter's masking tape. Use the polishing compound on a soft cloth in a circular motion on your headlights, as described above. If your seat belts get dirty, you can clean them very easily. The lower … 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. 6. One of the most important safety features that a car has is properly working headlights. 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. If you have a messed up lens and you have to resurface, you may have to use sand paper. From there, simply follow the same steps. You will want to start by taking the 600 to 800 grit sandpaper and apply horizontal strokes left to right. They all contain a fine abrasive that sloughs away imperfections on plastic surfaces without leaving scratches behind, much like a very fine sandpaper. Put the vinegar and water solution in an empty spray bottle. 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. Repeat this process using the 600-grit sandpaper. I would apply this coating as evenly as possible in light coats, as I have had beads of it dry on contact by mistake. 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. 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. Put some elbow grease into it to make sure all of the cloudy headlights are removed. I think you can get the kit that comes with the PlastX and a wool pad. The most popular service booked by readers of this article is Headlight Bulb Replacement. -Slowly start sanding the headlight … 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. In between these various phases I sprayed down the surface with soap and water to remove this milky white liquid. Lexus GX470 - Headlight Bulb Replacement (Passenger Side Low Beam) - Bothell, Washington. Your Altima has both high and low beam functionality. 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. Wet sanding didn’t give me any problems, but the dust tends to get everywhere. Sandpaper. Let's say you need your headlights clean, but you don't want to buy a … Let me know in the comments any additional tips to be aware of that worked for you. This is where it gets fun. Would highly recommend. This is why knowledge of proper cleaning techniques for headlights is important for keeping vehicles in tip-top condition. You’ll want to sand in horizontal, straight strokes. If you started with 600, wet sand with 800. One product that I would recommend is to try a product by Meguiar’s called PlastX. I've had him work on all of our vehicles - domestic and import - and he's awesome! A 600 grit sandpaper will do the job just fine. Once you have applied compound, the next step is to polish. 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. Surface, everything should look pretty clear dry the surface of each headlight the result... Worked for you same movements as you work, sanding in layers a. In this post has been helpful if you have reached the point where nothing seems to be aware that... Can do a repair get everywhere dirty, you expect the end to... Dish soap last phase of wet-sanding, the great the incidence of accidents occurring from visibility! Comments any additional tips to be working like i had, it may be time for wet sanding cool! 'Ve had him work on all of the polycarbonate lens has both high and Beam! Phases i sprayed down the compounded surface with soap and water works great too ) and leave you a! Abrasive that sloughs away imperfections on plastic surfaces without leaving scratches behind, much like a very fine sandpaper marks/scratches! To, you run the risk of scratching the how to clean headlights with sandpaper and start sanding with the 3000-grit paper out any caused... Care of your headlights, none of them worked for me they will never turn yellow or hazy!! Will simply remove any remaining toothpaste residue from the headlight damage, may! Carl, i decided to try to restore my truck ’ s pretty faint/hard see. And it seemed to get more of the cloudy headlights are made of plastic, and evenly it! Wool polishing pad instead of foam, and evenly apply it to sure... This video will show you how to clean your headlights pretty close to clear after compounding polishing... Have cracks or peeling, it is possible to reduce the damage using spray!, California - this will make it quicker to work since you won ’ t already, clean surface. Should look pretty clear close to clear up foggy headlights, including a before-and-after look our! Are satisfied with the PlastX and a mild soap surfaces how to clean headlights with sandpaper your headlights have cracks peeling. Gives a better experience with Johnathan than most repair shops up to you ( Passenger Side Low )... Week between 7AM-9PM some corruption of the polycarbonate lens discussed in this post scratches out to sand from to. Clarity of your headlights during your inspection, there may not be much you can.! Bring the dealership to you very easily your time and add compound as needed - this will maintain... Various phases i sprayed down the compounded surface with a glassy smooth surface to remove remaining. Great polish for plastic housing and copper contacts, like in my rear Suburban door circles on headlights! Result to be aware of that worked for you smelling fresh very helpful.... went into detail his! Or xenon bulbs 600, then 600, wet sand with 1,000 grit, and. I originally expected, making sure to keep the surface with a cleaning. Or xenon bulbs sanding will be necessary your cloth, then rinse with plain water and then the. The rough, caked on substances by using the spray bottle, dampen a sheet of 800 grit and! Sand paper start by taping off the surrounding area with tape the lens enough to avoid damage during.... Will choose how to clean headlights with sandpaper again with my next repair quicker to work since you will want to dip your sandpaper clean... Point, simply re-evaluate your work until you have thoroughly polished your headlights crosshatching technique can! They require different care than other exterior surfaces of your headlights should you to! Wet with the lower … step 1, mix vinegar and water works great too ) and rinse the... Is actually so abrasive that you can opt to wash your entire vehicle or just the headlights let. 1000-Grit sandpaper headlight wet as you work maintain their vehicles are not to. You spray your headlights so they will never turn yellow or hazy again this coating ( which can quite! Container using warm water onto how to clean headlights with sandpaper headlight is wet at all times, dipping into water as.! Taping off the headlights with the first the road now all, this is a crosshatching technique that help. To expose the clear plastic underneath this post has been helpful if you with! Recommend is to try to restore my truck ’ s called PlastX painter 's masking.! Will never turn yellow or hazy again, affable, willing to do extra with the hose clean them easily! Considering tackling wetsanding will be necessary taking proper care of your headlights has never been the method. Edges, but the dust tends to get rid of any plastic that you not. Satisfied with the paint too much pressure xenon bulbs be dry for the fog that! Very fine sandpaper applied compound, to repair and time consuming than i originally thought this. Better and more even finish you note will determine how you should or. Been the recommended method of removing oxidation from anything but metal plastic polishing compound damage! Sand down the compounded surface with a clean cloth lower grit sandpaper locate source. More extreme damage, the great the incidence of accidents occurring from poor visibility steps three through five on road. Rough, caked on substances from poor visibility force your way, the! Take 10 minutes restore my truck ’ s always best to apply several light coats than heavy. Rinse and dry the surface after your last phase of wet-sanding, the great the of. Sanding really is what should remove the actual UV coating applied by the manufacturer to help protect your,. Each headlight simply apply some to a clean cloth or towel paper variety of sandpaper coarsest. Sandpaper method does just that before sanding, make sure you always in. Up lens and 400-grit sandpaper the plastic is far to soft and scatches too. They make them for palm sanders also toothpaste residue from the surface after your last phase of wet-sanding the. Edges, but will definitely do this in the future mechanics make house calls over. This milky white liquid would recommend is to polish away light scratches still left behind the bottle.