Night driving requires some extra attention and alertness. Street lights usually lighten up the entire roads, but it is better to be extra cautious to avoid any mishap. One of the most useful car components for night driving is the headlights. They provide a better view of what lies ahead on the road. However, headlights are prone to damage and one of the main reasons for affected headlights is fog.
A common occurrence during the winter season, fog can impact the light rays, affecting visibility. Therefore, it is vital to prepare your car for winter before the cold season arrives .We will go through some effective tips on how to remove fog from car headlights and enjoy a safe and sound ride.
Causes of Foggy Headlights
You are more likely to encounter foggy conditions during the winter season. Fog settles on the glass of the headlight, making the light yellow or foggy. This can affect visibility as the result is uneven light distribution. This also causes glare for drivers coming from the opposite direction.
Unlike some common car issues, foggy headlights are rather easy to fix and don’t cost much. Modern vehicles come equipped with polycarbonate plastic which is more durable and scratch-resistant. However, frequent exposure to sunlight and UV rays causes the breakdown and degradation of the outer layer.
That said, fog isn’t the only culprit for affected headlights. Listed below are some of the other causes of foggy headlights.
ROAD DEBRIS
Driving on uneven or damaged roads is not good for the vehicle. This can also affect the car’s headlights as the position puts them first in line. Gravel, sand particles and other debris often come in contact with the headlights as you travel through bad roads.
The impact can cause scratches or dents on the headlights, resulting in uneven light distribution and a hazy appearance. You can easily find some of the best roads to drive on in the UAE, however, when going through uneven pavements, it is advised to be extra careful.
OXIDATION
Oxidation is another major cause of foggy headlights. The headlight lenses are made from acrylic. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can turn the material yellow. The top coating prevents oxidation but with time the layer deteriorates leading to a foggy headlight.
WATER VAPOURS
Moisture in the air can create vapours inside the headlights. Under such a scenario, light passing through the lens becomes scattered, eventually leading to cloudy lights.
DIRT AND CHEMICAL PARTICLES
Modern vehicles come equipped with different types of headlights however dirt and chemical particles remain a common issue. With time, a layer of dirt and chemical particles can form on the headlights affecting the headlights’ brightness.
How to Remove Fog from Car Headlights
The process of removing fog from headlights is rather simple. The results can be long-lasting if you know how to remove fog from car headlights efficiently. Fortunately, the headlight cleaning process isn’t expensive and doesn’t take much effort.
That said, let’s now go through the details and learn how to remove fog from car headlights effectively.
ITEMS REQUIRED FOR CLEANING FOGGY HEADLIGHTS
For effective headlight cleaning, there are some items you should have. Many of these items are also among the car interior cleaning essentials and can serve multiple purposes. The essential items for cleaning car headlights are listed below:
- Mild cleanser
- Latex gloves
- Clean rags or towels
- Rinsing water
- A bristle brush
- Toothpaste or baking soda
After obtaining these items, follow the below steps to remove fog from headlights.
STEP 1 – THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE FOGGY SURFACE
Spray the mild cleanser on the surface of the headlight and start cleaning. Make sure to clean every dirt particulate, junk, bug or any similar thing you find on the surface.
Once done, use a dry towel to clean the surface. You should ensure there’s no moisture left on the headlight’s surface.
STEP 2 – APPLY THE HEADLIGHT RESTORER ON THE HEADLIGHT SURFACE
The next step in learning how to remove fog from headlights is applying the headlight restorer. For the restorer, you can use toothpaste or baking soda. Additionally, if you own the must-have car cleaning products, you can use any commercial product from it or buy one.
Gently rub the restorer on the headlight surface. When done, let the paste sit on the surface and dry. If you choose to use baking soda, mix it with a small amount of water to form a thick paste.
STEP 3 – REMOVE THE CLEANSER
Using a circular motion, carefully remove the cleanser. This can become much easier if you use a brush. Be extra careful not to damage the headlamp as the cleanser is abrasive. As you remove the cleanser, you should observe the fogginess or cloudiness fading away.
STEP 4 – CLEAN OFF THE REMAINING CLEANSER
The last step in learning how to remove fog inside the headlight is cleaning off the remaining cleanser. Particles of the cleanser can settle on the surface and should be completely cleaned off.
Use a clean rag or towel to remove any stubborn cleanser from the surface. Use water to remove the residue. Make sure to polish the surface until it is completely dry. Finally, spray headlight polish and let it dry naturally. This should effectively clean fog from car headlights.
This is everything needed to help you learn how to remove fog from car headlights. Foggy headlights can be dangerous to drive with, particularly during night and tricky weather conditions. Keeping the headlights clean ensures clear visibility and you should keep them in perfect working condition. With the aforementioned tips, you can learn how to clean foggy headlights at home and save money and a trip to the service centre.
Apart from cleaning fog, there are other ways to clean car headlights from the inside that can also come in handy. Moreover, fog can also settle on windshields and windows posing a threat to your safety. Follow these tips to clean fog from car glass and cover all bases.
That said, modern vehicles come with a ton of advanced safety features to enhance occupant safety. You can add a pre-owned version of any of these vehicles to your car collection. Browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and have your pick.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for car component cleaning guides and more.
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