How do I get the fog off my headlights?
Question posted by Barry G. regarding his Acura MDX
"How do I get the fog off my headlights? The headlights on my MDX are getting foggier by the day. I am concerned that it could cause a safety issue with my night time driving."
Why are my headlights cloudy?
Why are my headlights yellow, hazed, or cloudy? Is there something you can do to make them brighter? Headlights are not only a cosmetic concern but should be considered a safety issue. Let's start by explaining why your headlights look fogged or hazed.
About 20 years ago, vehicle manufacturers switched from glass headlamps to plastic headlight units. UV rays, road grime, and chemicals react with the plastic and cause the ugly fog, hazed, yellow looking headlights.
How do I get the fog off my headlights?
There are many different methods and compounds you can use to de-fog your headlights. However, there are four general steps for proper restoration.
Here is a shot of the foggy headlights before we begin:
Step 1: Sand down the face of the plastic headlight. (typically different grit sand papers are supplied. Start at roughest and repeat process until you use the finest grit)
Step 2: Buff the plastic with compound. (Fine polish provided with kits)
Step 3: Polish the plastic so that it is clear. (This step may need to be repeated for desired affect)
Step 4: Seal the plastic headlight unit (Quality kits will incorporate a sealing spray to apply when finished to help the job you performed last longer)
This is something that you can do yourself but remember to purchase a quality product, read and understand the directions, and plan on about 30-60 minutes of being down on your knees scrubbing/sanding each headlight.
Your mechanic, car wash station, and even some windshield replacement companies now offer this service at a price under $100.
Will my headlights ever look like new?
This depends on how bad the plastic was before you serviced the headlights. You can count on restoring the plastic to about 80-90% of the new condition if you catch the lights early. Plan on performing the headlight service once a year.
If you have further question contact our facility or feel free to stop by. A+ Japanese Auto Repair performs numerous headlight restorations every week and can perform this task for you in a few hours. Contact A+ Japanese Auto Repair today for an appointment.
Eric S.
A+ Japanese Auto Repair Inc.
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Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as advice for your particular vehicle, and should not be relied upon for that purpose. Please consult a qualified automotive maintenance professional to determine the maintenance and repair needs for your vehicle.