How well are your headlights working?

Your headlights are the eyes of you vehicle. If they can’t see well, then neither can you.

With the shorter days and longer nights of winter, maintaining your car’s headlights can be an important part of driving safely.  

Most vehicles built today have polycarbonate lenses. This is a type of clear plastic that bounces back from considerable impact, making it an ideal choice for the front of a vehicle. Unfortunately, polycarbonate is also very porous and easily damaged by ultraviolet exposure from the sun. To seal and protect the polycarbonate, headlight makers apply a protective outer coating during manufacture. It is the breakdown of this coating which causes the yellowing and hazy appearance of uncared for lights.

Almost all headlights slowly deteriorate.

As headlights deteriorate, light is scattered and is not projected forward where you need it. The ability to see clearly in front of you can be reduced up to 75% producing a major safety hazard! This is especially dangerous on unlit winding roads like we have on PV or during wet rainy weather.

As an added issue, when headlights get really bad, many drivers will continuously drive with their high beams on in an attempt to see where they are going. This is now a safety issue for on-coming traffic too.

Hazy headlights aren’t just ugly, either—some localities deem them a safety issue, and nobody likes a “fix-it” ticket.

Basic headlight maintenance includes keeping the lights:

• Clean – Give them a quick scrub when you wash your windows at the gas station. Clean headlights can help you see better and can help prevent glare, which can be intensified by dust and dirt particles on the glass.
• Aimed properly – Headlight aim can often be knocked out of position by driving off-road or over potholes, which may contribute to unsafe nighttime driving conditions. Next time you get your oil changed or are at the repair shop, ask the service person to check, and if necessary, adjust your headlights.
• Free of road chips, condensation and surface scratches – These things decrease visibility and contribute to glare while driving.

It is cheaper to restore your headlights than replace them.

Although hazy headlights are a big problem, it doesn’t have to be an expensive problem. The headlights don’t necessarily need to be replaced or professionally refinished. You can get rid of that cloudy oxidization by rubbing it away with fine, wet sandpaper, and then refinishing it with microfiber cloth and polishing compound. All the materials needed can be found in town for less than $20.

Also, there are a number of products/kits available  to remove this haze and clarify damaged lenses. They include 3M, Diamondite, Wolfgang, and Plexus,  and come with instructions to help you get the most out of the product. In most cases, replacement can be avoided.

Here is a video on how to clean your headlights.  It is rather dull, but delivers clear concise instructions:

Here are a few links if you would like to purchase headlight cleaning kits

Detail King

Crystal View Headlight Cleaning Kits

And, of course, if you don’t have time to clean your headlights, Plaza Automotive can do it for you. Call us today and make an appointment.

References:

http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Headlights

http://www.hazyheadlightrepairs.com/