Several methods effectively clean plastic headlight covers, restoring clarity and improving visibility. Here's a breakdown of a popular and simple method:
Cleaning Headlights with Baking Soda and Vinegar
This method uses readily available household ingredients to remove oxidation and grime.
Materials You'll Need:
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Sponge or Soft Cloth
- Spray Bottle (optional, for vinegar)
- Tape (optional, to protect surrounding paint)
Steps:
- Prepare the Headlight: Optionally, tape off the area around the headlight to protect the paint from accidental scratches.
- Wet the Headlight: Thoroughly wet the plastic headlight cover with water or vinegar. Vinegar provides a slightly more aggressive cleaning action.
- Apply Baking Soda: Generously apply baking soda to the wet headlight surface.
- Scrub: Use a sponge or soft cloth to scrub the headlight in a circular motion. Apply moderate pressure.
- Add Vinegar: If you initially wet the headlight with water, spray or pour vinegar onto the baking soda paste. This will create a fizzing action that helps to lift away dirt and oxidation. If you initially wet the headlight with vinegar, simply continue scrubbing.
- Repeat: Repeat the scrubbing and vinegar application process a few times for stubborn buildup.
- Rinse: Thoroughly rinse the headlight with clean water to remove all traces of baking soda and vinegar.
- Dry: Dry the headlight with a clean cloth.
Why this Works:
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps to scrub away surface dirt and grime. Vinegar is a mild acid that helps to dissolve oxidation and other contaminants. The combination creates a powerful cleaning action that can effectively restore clarity to plastic headlight covers.
Alternative Methods:
- Toothpaste: Toothpaste, especially whitening toothpaste, can also be used similarly to the baking soda method. Apply, scrub, and rinse.
- Commercial Headlight Restoration Kits: These kits typically include various grades of sandpaper, polishing compounds, and sealant. They provide a more comprehensive solution for severely oxidized headlights.
Important Considerations:
- For heavily oxidized headlights, you may need to repeat the process multiple times or use a more aggressive cleaning method, such as a headlight restoration kit.
- Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of the headlight first to ensure it does not damage the plastic.
- Consider applying a UV protectant sealant after cleaning to help prevent future oxidation.
