Drivers often have trouble with scratched or worn-out headlights. Road dust and sunlight can make headlight lenses hazy or yellow and dim the light beam, reducing visibility on the road. Headlight cracks or tiny splits also create dangerous glare. This reduces the visibility for the person driving opposite you and is a major safety risk. So, damage to the lens is likely to cause your vehicle to fail its MOT test and cost you in car body repairs.
Replacing car headlights can be expensive, so smart drivers opt for regular headlight restoration to keep cars looking new and improve road safety. However, most of the time, they are not aware of professional techniques and materials to use for restoration. This results in scratches and hazy headlights.
This article discusses headlight restoration oversights that result in poor visibility and extra car repair expenses.
Article Highlights
- Skipping proper cleaning
- Over-polishing to lights
- Using harsh material
- Neglecting the application of UV sealant
Technique-Related Errors
Headlight restoration requires skilled techniques and attention to detail. Most drivers believe that having the right product can revive their car’s headlight. However, they are not aware of the proper technique.
Skipping Proper Cleaning
Cleaning the light is an important part of headlight restoration because it makes the process go more smoothly and effectively.
Cleaning headlights properly means more than just a quick rinse. Before sanding or polishing, you must ensure that all visible dirt, wax, or oil residue is completely removed from the surface of the light lens. Not cleaning the lights with appropriate care can leave small dust particles on them, which can result in major damage to the lights during restoration.
If you sand a surface that hasn’t been cleaned well, dust can make deep, uneven scratches on the light’s surface. It’s often harder to get rid of these new scratches than to fix the oxidation you were trying to fix in the first place.
Moreover, UV-protective coatings will not properly adhere to plastic if there is still wax, silicone, or oil on the surface. The coating may look like it’s going well, but it will eventually come off or break.
Get Your Car Looking New Again!
Our skilled team brings your damaged car body back to its original condition expertly.
Over-Polishing
Too much polishing can damage the lens on the headlight. It could leave small scratches or make the plastic thinner. These damaged surfaces turn yellowish soon after the first restoration. Moreover, pressing the same spot frequently can also damage the lights. In such cases, small money saved on professional restoration can result in costly replacement.
Therefore, it is important to polish lights with soft, gentle motions or choose a professional like AVX headlight restoration services.
Rushing Drying Time Between Steps
Restoration is a multi-step process that involves the use of multiple products. For an effective outcome, each layer or product needs proper drying.
One of the common mistakes people make is not being patient while moving from one step to the next. It takes time for products to get dry, and applying another product without letting the first product dry results in non-clear lights. The application of the product on wet layers weakens the bonding of materials, which can lead to smears, streaks, or peeling.
Applying Restoration Products in Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause products to dry too fast, leaving streaks or cloudy areas on the lights. The heat also weakens the bond of polish and sealant with the light’s surface.
Therefore, it is important to have proper lighting in a controlled temperature during the restoration process. Working in a shaded area gives better control and prevents uneven results.
Also Read: Headlight Restoration: How to Improve Visibility with Quality Services
Material Related Mistakes
Using the wrong material or products with harsh chemicals is a common mistake during headlight restoration.
Plastic lenses are highly sensitive to strong chemical cleaners, and using any cleaners with those chemicals results in more damage than repair.
Using Harsh Chemicals
Using products not meant for headlights can hurt the lens. Most people try to clean the headlights with detergents available at home. The harsh chemicals in those products remove the protective coating and speed up yellowing or hazing.
Therefore, using products suggested by car manufacturers or specially created for headlight restoration is recommended.
Book Your Repair Today!
Your car deserves the best care. Book your car body repair now and enjoy fast, reliable service.
Using the Wrong Sandpaper Grit
Sanding is an important part of headlight restoration. It is used to remove the damaged layers from the lenses. However, choosing the wrong girth of sandpaper can either cause damage to the outer surface or not serve the purpose of sanding.
Drivers are usually in a hurry to get rid of dim lights. They do not seek professional services and end up using very rough sandpaper on headlights, which can make the problem worse. Hard sandpaper leaves deep scratches on the lights, which are harder to fix than the haze itself.
Similarly, some people use very fine sandpaper. These do not even touch the deep scratches on the lights, wasting time and effort. Therefore, it is important to know the intensity of the sanding required and to choose the right sandpaper accordingly.
Neglecting UV Sealant Application
A UV sealant works as a protective cover for the headlights, maintaining their clarity. Unfortunately, sanding and chemical application on headlights during restoration results in loss of these protective layers. This exposes the plastic to direct sunlight. The restored lights quickly turn yellow again.
Need Car Body Repair?
Get a free assessment and quote from our certified technicians today!
Final Thoughts
Restoring headlights is more than just an application of products. It requires the right tools, professional skills, and calculated steps at the right time.
Contact AVX for professional headlight restoration services. Our experts will keep your headlights bright for years by sanding them in the right order, applying UV protection, and using safe products. This will make your car safer, easier to see, and look better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Headlights are sanded to remove the damaged, yellowed outer layer of the plastic, which is caused by UV radiation. Sanding is done to restore clarity and brightness.
You should not drive with a scratched headlight. Scratched headlights cause glare, which risks road safety.
Yes, you can clean headlights without removing them. Many DIY kits and household products are available, but the results often don’t last long. It is recommended that you get professional car body repair services for long-lasting results.
There are three general types of headlights used in today’s cars: halogen, HID, and LED.
Toothpaste can temporarily restore headlight lenses. It works for light cloudiness or yellowing. However, it doesn’t restore the headlights to their best condition.
As a temporary measure, apply transparent tape to the broken headlight. Then, order new headlights for installation at the dealership or a trusted repair shop like AVX.
Get Your Headlight Repaired Today!
If your headlights are cracked, cloudy, or yellow, don’t risk an accident or failed MOT. Get your headlight restoration from AVX.
