How to Deal with Yellowing Car Headlights?
3 Answers
Car headlights can be treated for yellowing by: 1. Gently sanding with sandpaper to remove surface stains, then wiping the headlights and covers; 2. Cleaning the yellowed areas with soapy water. Types of car headlights include: 1. Halogen lights, which emit a yellowish light with strong penetration; 2. Xenon lights, which are bright and energy-efficient; 3. LED lights, which generate significant heat. Components of car lights consist of: 1. Position lights, used during evening driving to make the vehicle visible to others; 2. Turn signals, providing signals to other vehicles and pedestrians when turning to alert them; 3. Headlights, composed of low beams and high beams, used for illumination; 4. Fog lights, used in foggy conditions as light signals; 5. Reverse lights, serving as a warning to pedestrians and vehicles behind; 6. Brake lights, alerting vehicles behind.
After my car lights turned yellow, driving at night became blurry. I tried many methods to deal with it. Initially, I used toothpaste and a toothbrush to scrub, but the effect was only temporary, and the yellowing quickly returned. The yellowing is caused by the oxidation of the plastic lens cover. If you want to fix it yourself, buy a professional headlight restoration kit, which includes sandpaper, polishing compound, and UV coating. First, use sandpaper to remove the oxidized layer, making sure to sand in order of coarseness and not to damage the plastic by applying too much force at once. After polishing, apply the UV coating to delay re-yellowing. I also noticed that prolonged exposure to sunlight accelerates headlight aging, so now I try to park in the shade or garage. Regularly wiping the lens cover to prevent dirt buildup is a cost-effective and practical trick to ensure driving safety.
I often do DIY repairs for yellowing headlights, and it feels totally worth it. Just buy polishing tools online for a few bucks. The steps are: first, thoroughly clean the headlight cover to remove dirt, then use different grits of sandpaper to finely sand the oxidized areas. After smoothing it out, polish with a polishing compound, and finally spray on a UV-resistant coating to prevent recurrence. Don’t rush the process—take your time for the best results. Yellowing not only affects appearance but also makes driving dangerous when the lights dim. For regular maintenance, avoid high-temperature and direct sunlight exposure; cover the lights with a cloth or park in the shade. After this treatment, the brightness is restored, making highway driving much safer—just invest a little time!
