Hazy Daze to Clear Rays - Yellow Headlights Aren't Cool

It's not something that people want. It's downright dangerous to have. It can happen to anyone and some people don't even know they have it. I'm talking about yellow and hazy headlights. This week I'm shining some light (pun intended) on what causes yellowed headlights, how to fix it, and also how to keep them from getting yellow in the future.

In My Day Headlights Were A Circle

Back in the good ol' days headlights were made from glass and car manufacturers were pretty limited on the design of the front of the car because the headlights only came in one shape, a circle. The circular headlights were pretty durable and the only maintenance anyone had to do was change the light bulb. Easy, I know. Then one day an auto designer said, "hey, you know those circular headlights that we've been using for decades and decades? Let's change it!" It probably didn't happen that way, but I'm just guessing that's how it happened. Maybe. From then on, advances in manufacturing and molding techniques led to what we have now which are a complex collection of varied shapes of plastic headlights that unfortunately have one big downside: they turn yellow.

Plastic Oxidation - We Need Oxygen, Plastic Headlights Do Not

Plastic, like most materials, degrades over time. If you've been reading my other blog posts you can probably guess one of the reasons why plastic degrades. The sun! Yes, that big glowing orb that people used to worship is making your headlights hazy and it's doing it through a process called photo-oxidation. Without getting too "sciency", photo-oxidation is basically a reaction with oxygen in the presence of light. Unfortunately, that's exactly where our headlights spend most of their life: outside and in the sunshine. Over time the plastic starts to break down, loses its color, and can become very brittle. The result is what we all see walking through the grocery store parking which is a sea of yellow and hazy headlights. So, what can be done to restore your headlights to their previous glory?

Hazy Daze - Driving With Foggy Headlights Is Not Smart

Foggy headlights are basically like cataracts in your eyes. The oxidation reduces the headlight's clarity, brightness, and more importantly reduces the driver's visibility at night and during stormy weather. Fortunately, there is something that can be done to correct this! Its simple and its just like most other 12 step programs... step number one is acknowledging you have a problem.

Restoring your headlights is very straight forward process. For light to medium haze on headlights, you can use any store bought plastic polish to remove the yellow oxidation and swirl marks. However, for really stubborn headlights, it is necessary to start with 2500 grit sandpaper to remove any large defects. Next, a more refined 3500 grit sandpaper with smooth the surface which will prepare the surface for the polishing phase. Polishing is required for the next step as this will restore the brightness and clarity of the plastic. Finally, to help prevent the headlight from oxidizing in the future, a sealant or wax should be applied that will add an extra layer of protection.

Clear Rays - Let There Be Light

Congratulations! You have now been enlightened on why headlights turn hazy and what you can do about it. If you're not too confident in your own abilities to correct your hazy headlights, Indee Auto Detailing is here to help. Also, to learn whether or not people are reading this blog post, Indee Auto Detailing is offering free headlight restoration to anyone reading this. Lucky you!

Email me the three letters in the first picture of this write-up at indeeautodetailing@gmail.com and you'll receive free headlight restoration. This offer expires after the first five customers or by Friday, June 29th and 11:59pm.

Here's to safer driving!

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