How To Clean Car Headlight Lenses
Your car headlights can become dull and filmy, compromising the intensity of light. As your car ages, the headlight lenses can lose their luster if not cleaned on a regular basis. If neglected, the headlight lenses can oxidize which can cause them to look even more worn. By keeping your car headlight lenses clean, you can restore them back to looking factory-new again.
1. Rinse off headlight lenses with clean water. With your garden hose, rinse off your headlight lenses with cool, clean water. The water will loosen up grime and dirt from headlight crevices and make cleaning easier.
2. Combine 1/4 cup detergent with water. Combine 1/4 cup of mild dishwashing soap with one gallon of hot water, in a bucket. You can also use the same ratio of mild laundry detergent or car washing soap to achieve the same results.
3. Scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Using circular motions, scrub your headlight lenses with a soft-bristled scrub brush after submerging it in your soapy water solution. Repeat this process after rinsing between scrubbings.
4. Apply toothpaste. Squeeze out a quarter-sized amount of toothpaste onto a lint-free cloth. Using circular motions, rub each headlight lens with the toothpaste and then rinse off. The toothpaste will get rid of any left over dirt, grease and grime, and give your headlights a shiny, new look, while getting rid of oxidative dullness.
5. Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with a gallon of water. After cleaning your headlight lenses with toothpaste, combine 1/2 cup of white vinegar and one gallon of water to re-clean your headlights. The white vinegar solution will add sparkle to your headlights and promote clearness.
6. Dry thoroughly. After all steps have been completed, thoroughly dry your headlight lenses to discourage the formation of water marks. You headlights will be sparkling clean, and all traces of dulling oxidation will be gone. To prevent oxidation and dullness in the first place, make sure to thoroughly clean your headlights every week, especially when driving through areas that are dusty, such as construction sites.