What is the Best Way to Clean Yellow Headlights at Home?
When I go for a walk with my son, we see so many yellowed or foggy headlights. It just drives me crazy.
By the way, the BMW you see in the photo is one of my 20+ years old toys. And no, these are not new lenses.
I know not everyone is a car nut, but come on…cleaning your headlights is not like spending thousands on modifying a car.
That said, I’m glad you’re looking for a remedy.
I’ll cover all the headlight restoration methods and DIY hacks I’m aware of and the ones I’ve personally tried so you can figure out:
What is the Best Way to Clean Yellow Headlights at Home?
To determine the best way, you need to consider two things. How bad is the situation with your headlight lenses, and whether you’re looking for a temporary fix or a permanent solution?
Depending on your circumstances and preferences, you might need something as simple as cleaning wipes or a full headlight restoration kit. Sanding and applying a clear coat also works.
The ’90s are long gone, and I think toothpaste and soapy water belong in the bathroom. But I know some of you are looking for cleaning headlight lens hacks, so I’ll give you some.
Let’s go through the most effective ways to get clean headlights in the 21st century, and then I’ll tell you about some homemade remedies.
Whatever you choose, tape up your headlights in order to protect your car’s paint.
How to Get Rid of Yellow Headlights? (Car Cleaning Products)
Many people talk about cleaning headlight lenses using baking soda and vinegar mixed with dish soap, toothpaste, bug spray, WD40, lemon, olive oil, etc., and some of these methods work.
But there are so many products manufactured specifically for cleaning headlights that are yellow or foggy. Of course, each one serves a different purpose. Let’s explore the options.
Quick Fix for Yellowed Car Headlights
If you’re dealing with mildly yellowed or foggy headlights, cleaning wipes are a quick solution. With no tools required, these are super easy to use. You just wipe out the oxidation.
They come pre-moistened for a set of headlights, so you don’t have to worry about how much product to use. Manufacturers suggest the effect will last for up to 12 months, but if your vehicle is under constant uv exposure, I wouldn’t count on that.
Cleaning and Protecting Foggy Headlights
If you’re willing to spend a couple of hours, there are plenty of kits designed for cleaning foggy headlights. I’ve used some in the past, and they work better than any other temporary fixes.
Typically, these kits include a series of fine to coarse sanding pads for removing heavy oxidation, a polishing compound to refine the lens surface, and a sealant to protect the newly cleared lens.
Using them is pretty straightforward as you have instructions that, in my opinion, are easier to follow when compared to trying DIY hacks with homemade products.
Permanent Headlight Restoration
Whether you’re using wipes, a cleaning kit, or a headlight restorer, there is one extra step to achieve long-lasting results. Once you get the lenses shiny, apply a protective film.
No matter how good the wax sealant included in a kit is, it won’t last for years. The UV rays and car wash will make your car headlights foggy again over time.
That’s why I’m adding a protective film as a final step to restore headlights permanently. You can also use it to prevent headlight oxidation.
I know not everyone will be comfortable doing this at home, but there’s no shame in delegating this task to a professional. Plus, it will enhance your vehicle’s exterior.
What is the Best Homemade Headlight Cleaner?
You’ve probably heard about using lemon, coca-cola, or vinegar as an effective way to clean foggy headlights. I haven’t tried any of those, but back in the day, I achieved good results with toothpaste.
Baking Soda Based Toothpaste
While many kinds of toothpaste contain mild abrasives, in my experience, baking soda-based ones are best. It gently scrubs away the surface layer of oxidation from the headlight lens and polishes the plastic, much like a sanding process.
Just apply a generous amount onto the headlight, and using a toothbrush, work the toothpaste into the surface in circular motions, applying some pressure.
Next, get a wet microfiber cloth or just a rag and wipe it off. While doing it, rub it harder on spots with more yellowing or scratches.
Then, rinse the headlight thoroughly with water to wash away the residue. You should notice a reduction of the yellow color right away, but it may take a few repeats for more hazy headlights.
What is the Best Headlight DIY Restoration?
Once again, there are folks preaching about all kinds of DIY hacks for clean headlights, but I’ll only share what has worked for me.
Sanding and Clear Coat Spray
I successfully got rid of yellowed headlights and restored them to pretty much factory condition with this method a decade ago. It was on a Golf IV, but it will work as good on modern cars.
Starting with a lower grit sandpaper and working my way up to a finer grit, I carefully sanded the lens in a horizontal motion, keeping the surface wet.
Once the sanding is complete and the lens is crystal clear, it’s time for the clear coat. I used a UV-resistant spray designed for a plastic surface, applying it in thin, even layers.
This process is more time-consuming, but it’s cost-effective. If you feel confident that you can handle it, here is the step-by-step video guide I followed back in the day.
What You Shouldn’t Do to Clean Foggy Headlights?
While there are plenty of home remedies floating around, some can do more harm than good, leaving you with lackluster results or even damaging your headlights further. Steer clear of these.
Using Bug Spray
Many bug sprays contain DEET, a powerful solvent that can indeed wipe away the oxidation on your headlights temporarily. However, it can also damage the protective UV coating and the plastic of the lens itself, leading to even more haze and yellowing down the line.
Using WD40
It might give you a quick fix, making your headlights look a bit clearer, but it’s not a lasting solution. WD40 is a lubricant and not a headlight restoration product. On top of that, if used on older cars with aged headlight sealings, it might leak inside and damage your light bulbs.
My Last Thoughts on Yellowed Headlights
I hope the information in this article was helpful. My goal was to get you familiar with what’s available on the market and save you time that you could waste on useless hacks.
If your headlights look really bad, I’d suggest reaching out to a professional restorer or replacing your lenses with aftermarket ones and then applying headlight tints against UV damage.
I say aftermarket because there are high-quality options that are a lot cheaper than OEM. And we are talking about simple plastic parts, not electronics, where OEM is recommended.
If you want to know what causes foggy headlights and how to prevent it from happening again in the future, check out my previous article on the topic.
