With the flick of a switch or the turn of a dial we are able to drive our vehicles 70 plus miles an hour, at night, safely. The brighter the light the more we can see and be seen making brighter, safer. Maintaining our headlights isn’t something an owners manual or new car salesperson will mention, but it is a requirement for modern headlights.
Most vehicles made in the last 20 years are equipped with headlights made of polycarbonate (plastic). They are cheaper to make, light weight, and moldable allowing vehicle designers greater flexibility in their designs. The downside of this is that UV radiation – over a period of time – will break down the polymer bonds of the lens, causing oxidation.
Vehicle manufacturers add a protective coating before the vehicle is sent to market which will prevent oxidation, but that coating too breaks down over time. The longer a vehicle is exposed to UV radiation, the quicker the breakdown occurs.
The best way to counter any breakdown is to apply a quality protectant every time you apply a wax or sealant to your vehicle.
But what do you do if your headlights are already oxidized or cloudy. If the damage is minimal a quality product with diminishing abrasives will certainly help. Such products include Meguiar’s PlastX and 3M Plastic Cleaner. They work by removing the top layer of the lens to a like new finish, and once a suitable look is achieved adding a protectant is the final step.
If the headlights are beyond using a plastic polish, wet sanding, compounding, and polishing is the last resort before buying new. This method is effective beyond expectation. Starting with 1000 grit sandpaper and working down to 2000 grit sandpaper will have the yellow, cloudy layer of oxidation running off of your headlights and down your vehicle. You will be left with a foggy lens again, but after compounding and polishing a perfect headlight will appear. Protection at this point and you’re done.
There are certain steps to the wetsanding and polishing process that should be taken. If you choose to tackle this on your own and have questions, please feel free to call us and we’ll answer any questions you have. With new headlight assemblies costing into the thousands (BMW) it is well worth the time and effort.
As with all things automotive detailing, the least aggressive method should be attempted first.
