Small scratches on your headlights may not seem all that serious. However, they can have a big impact on your headlight strength and your safety. Multiple scratches, or deep ones, may cause the beams to become cloudy and weak. That can increase your chances of having an accident when driving in low-light conditions.
Luckily, there are several simple steps you can follow to fix your headlights at home.
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5 Ways to Fix Scratched Headlights at Home
There are several DIY methods for fixing damaged light covers. Many make use of household supplies you might already have lying around. Here’s a look at five proven solutions.
Toothpaste
Believe it or not, something as simple as toothpaste can be your best friend when it comes to buffing headlight scratches. The gritty, grainy nature of the paste acts as an abrasive. It wears away the top layer of the headlight plastic, smoothing out scratches in the process.
- Apply toothpaste to your headlight covers with the aid of a toothbrush or other small brush
- Rub the paste in gently, with circular motions
- Continue until the paste begins to look dirty or discolored
- Let it dry for a while
- Wash the dried paste away with a cloth and some warm water
Note: This only works with gritty toothpaste, so make sure not to use smooth paste.
Sandpaper
Just like toothpaste, sandpaper rubs away the top layer of headlight material, buffing out scratches and other marks. This method even works on reasonably deep scratches. But you have to be careful – avoid rubbing too hard, or you may cause more damage to the lights.
- Tape over the paintwork surrounding the headlights to protect it against any damage
- Wet the headlight covers
- Take a piece of 400 grit sandpaper, moisten it, then rub it across the headlights
- Use gentle, even movements across the light and avoid pressing too hard
- Lift the paper away often to check on your progress
- Repeat the process with sandpaper of higher grit, starting at 600 and moving up to 1,000 and higher, if needed
- Wipe over the lights with a towel or clean cloth
Wax
Wax is also helpful for smoothing scratches. Plus, it’s got the bonus benefit of protecting the lights against future damage. It forms a protective layer on the surface, shielding the material against abrasions and the elements.
- Apply a small amount of car wax to the headlights with the aid of a cloth or sponge
- Rub it in using circular movements
- Let it dry
- Buff the area with a clean, dry cloth to remove the excess wax
Baking Soda
A truly miraculous ingredient, baking soda has an almost endless array of uses. Cooking. Cleaning. Deodorizing. It can do it all. It’s not bad at buffing out headlight scratches, either.
- Mix some baking soda with water to form a gritty paste
- Apply the paste to your headlight covers with the aid of a sponge, and rub it in using gentle circular movements
- Rinse the paste away with warm water
Restoration Kits
There are also specially-made headlight restoration kits you can buy online or from auto supply stores. They vary in terms of content, but common components include:
- Cleaning solution or shampoo
- Pre-treatment
- Sandpaper (or drill attachments for sanding)
- Polish or compound
Each kit is different. So, to avoid making any mistakes, it’s best to read the instructions of your kit before you begin. But here’s a quick guide to the general steps to follow:
- Use the shampoo or cleaning solution to clean the lights first
- Tape over any paintwork to protect it before sanding
- Apply any pre-treatment included in your kit
- Sand the headlight covers down with sandpaper or drill attachments, beginning with the lowest grit
- Polish to finish
If You’re Unsure, Contact the Pros
While there are clearly plenty of home remedies for scratched headlights, some of them can do more harm than good, if you’re not careful. Plus, if the scratches are particularly deep or numerous, the likes of toothpaste and baking soda may not be enough to buff them all out.
If you’re worried about damaging your headlights further, or if you’ve tried one of these methods and it hasn’t worked, call the pros. Professional technicians and car repair experts can use their own specialist tools and techniques to help you.
FAQs
How do headlights get scratched?
There are several ways headlight covers can get scratched. Usually, the scratches occur due to little bits of debris or rocks from the road surface connecting with the covers. Exposure to the elements, like hailstones and stormy conditions, can also cause headlight damage.
What are the signs of scratched headlights?
The most obvious way to spot scratched headlights is to inspect the covers yourself when your car is safely parked. You should be able to spot fine lines and scratches in the plastic coating. Additionally, if your headlight beams seem cloudy or weaker than they used to be, scratches could be to blame.
How can I protect headlights from scratches and other damage?
It’s impossible to completely protect headlights from scratches, but there are a few measures you can take. Washing your car regularly is a good way to start, as it helps to remove any surface dirt or grime from the lights. It’s also wise to polish the headlight covers to remove light scratches and scuff marks before they get any bigger. Also, avoid driving in bad weather, like hail.
Fix Headlight Scratches as Soon as Possible
One or two small headlight scratches may not seem like such a big deal. But they’ll only get worse the longer you leave them. So, it’s best to take action right away. If you spot the signs of damage on your lights or feel that they’re not as bright as they once were, get them fixed. Either use the methods listed above for a DIY repair or contact local professionals if you prefer.