Cleaning headlights from the inside: tips and secrets

Microfiber with dirt magnets

This method was originally invented for cleaning aquariums. produces special kits that have a similar operating principle.

This kit includes two small microfibers with neodymium magnets, a detergent and a long grip.

The principle of working with such a kit is quite simple:

Remove the light bulb from the headlight.
One microfiber is moistened with detergent and placed into the optical instrument using a long gripper. They lean against the glass.
The second microfiber is placed against the outside of the glass, just opposite the first microfiber.
Now you need to carefully move the device from the outside, and inside the microfiber will move in parallel with the help of magnets.

Before carrying out such a procedure, you should make sure that the kit is absolutely clean, without any particles that could scratch the glass.

How to properly wash headlights from the inside without disassembling them

In the post you will see a brief sequence of actions, and in more detail the process can be seen in the video version of the events (link at the end of the post).

This post would not exist if I had not lived in a “wonderfully thought out” area of another new building. The intersections of which are flooded with every more or less heavy rain, so much so that no, no, and the water pumping station of the Mosvodokanal will come to turn the Venetian canals back into ordinary courtyard streets.

In short, after another swim from my own home, the fog lights turned into small aquariums, even without fish. Dismantling by peeling off the glass is, to put it mildly, not the easiest option and not the most reliable in terms of consequences. So, we will somehow clean it indiscriminately.

Below is a brief sequence of actions, and the process can be seen in more detail in the video version of the events at the end of the post.

The method has been personally tested more than once, and is suitable for almost all types of more or less modern headlights (i.e. with glued glass). The only “but” is if the reflector is alive.

If it has long since turned yellow or even started to go in places, there is no need to go there under any pretext - it will only get worse. This has also been done many times already. So.

Water and foam for dust

For this method you will need clean (preferably distilled) water and foam rubber, which must be cut into cubes. After all the bulbs have been removed, water is poured into the headlight and cubes are poured into it. The optical device must be shaken in different directions or turned over in different directions.

If there is too much dirt, the procedure will need to be repeated. Immediately after washing, the inner glass should be dried with a hairdryer to avoid streaks.

Removing the headlight

To clean the reflector, plastic and auxiliary parts from the inside, you will need to remove the headlights from the car.

To remove the optics, on some models you will need to remove the bumper. To do this you need:

Turn out the wheels and remove the fender liner clips that are attached to the edge of the bumper.
Remove the radiator grille.
Unscrew the screws and remove the clips that hold the bumper.
Carefully remove the part without damaging the headlight glass or lens.

When dismantling the front bumper, you should pay attention to the corners, which shift when the fasteners are unscrewed and can damage the optics.

Dirt from the inside can only be removed with the headlight removed. After dismantling all unnecessary parts, just unscrew a few bolts and the optics can be easily removed.

The hole for the lamp can be removed directly from the car. To do this you need:

Remove the protective boot.
Bend the retaining tendrils and remove the lamp.
Disconnect the block with wires and place the light element in a box or clean cloth.

When removing the lamp, avoid accidentally touching the bulb with sealant, glue or fingers. Any contamination of the part will significantly reduce the declared service life.

Glue and varnish remover

To remove varnish, glue or sealant, experienced drivers advise using vinegar or White Spirit. If these remedies are ineffective, you can treat with gasoline, alcohol or ordinary hot water. To soften the sealant, heat it with a hairdryer or apply sunflower oil for 10-15 minutes.

To effectively remove varnish or glue, you can purchase WD-40. If you have nail polish remover without acetone at home, you can use it to remove glue.

Cleaning the outside of the headlight

This operation is easier the more often it is performed. You cannot allow the headlight glass to develop until a cloudy yellow coating appears that is firmly attached to the surface, but you can deal with it.

Glass washing

First, you need to wash the headlight as thoroughly as possible from dirt and grease deposits. An ordinary car shampoo, specially designed to be harmless to glass and paintwork, will help.

For greater effectiveness, it is applied to the glass in maximum concentration and left for about half an hour. After which it is washed off with a rag and plenty of water.

The dull outer layer can be refreshed using regular toothpaste, which is generally intended for this, only for teeth. It contains a fine abrasive capable of polishing.

How to clean plaque with toothpaste

The paste is applied to a sponge or napkin, and then rubbed in a circular motion. It works slowly, so the procedure will require diligence and patience.

If you have a small-sized polishing machine or appropriate attachments for the drill, the process can be accelerated, but there is a danger of “digging holes”, making the surface uneven and glare.

The main thing here is not to abuse the speed and pressure on the glass, especially plastic, which easily overheats. Although ordinary glass does not tolerate local overheating, which can cause it to crack.

Periodically, the paste should be washed off and the current result assessed.

Removing sealant, glue or varnish with sunflower oil

It is very difficult to remove substances with good adhesion that accidentally get on glass.

Ordinary vegetable oil can help, the effect of which is to soften, relatively speaking, the sealant, penetrate under its layer and weaken adhesion to the surface.

After which the layer can be easily removed mechanically, with a rag or a soft scraper. The freed area is washed with detergent or degreased with alcohol solutions. For example, included in household glass cleaners.

Methanol for electronics and polycarbonate parts

This product has gained popularity due to its rapid evaporation, after which no traces remain. The advantages of methanol also include safety in relation to the internal components of the headlight. It is important to remember that care must be taken when working with this toxic and flammable substance.

To begin with, dismantle the headlights, remove the light bulbs, and then pour in 200 ml of the substance. The headlight is turned over and rocked from side to side for several minutes. The liquid is poured out and the procedure is repeated several more times. The remains are dried with a hair dryer.

Selection of detergent composition

The aggressive components of most products can damage the surface of the headlight and the reflector. When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the composition, as you can purchase a low-quality product without a degreaser.

Distilled water does not leave streaks on the surface of transparent plastic and reflector, but is not able to wash away stagnant dust or haze from burning lamps.

An excellent detergent is regular toothpaste diluted in purified water. However, such a liquid requires careful rinsing, otherwise the plastic will become covered with a white coating.

How to wash internal headlight parts:

soap composition;
dishwashing liquid;
shower gel.

Cosmetic micellar water to remove makeup will also help to wash the headlight from the inside. When choosing, you should pay attention to the absence of alcohol, which can easily wash off the coating and render the optics unusable.

Cleaning the headlight using a flexible grip and sponge/microfiber

This method involves using a flexible gripper and a sponge or microfiber cut to the desired size. You need to remove the light bulb, install a sponge (preferably with open cells) or microfiber on the grip and insert it into the opening for the light bulb. Next, you need to carefully move the sponge or microfiber along the transparent part of the headlight, removing dirt. The flexible grip can be bent at different angles, allowing access to all areas of the transparent part of the headlight. Also, as in the previous method, a sponge or microfiber can be used either with or without a cleaning agent (non-abrasive).

Self-recovery methods

To get to the reflector, the headlight removed from the car must be disassembled. The first option involves repeatedly passing the hot air of a hair dryer over the seam. The second option involves leaving the headlight in an oven preheated to 100°C for 20 minutes. After opening, all parts are cleaned of sealant residues, washed without using alcohol-containing liquids and dried.

Using metallic tape

Let's start with how to restore the reflector on a headlight using tape foil. All you need is metallized tape, purchased at a hardware store for about 30 rubles. Its adhesive base copes well with high and low temperatures, and the aluminum film is very wear-resistant.

In order to obtain a smooth surface with a minimum of seams after gluing the tape on the reflector, first, pieces of the most suitable shape are formed from several strips. Then remove the protective film and carefully stick it on. The whole procedure takes about half an hour.

Advantages of the method: durability, low cost, ease of implementation.

Disadvantages: when gluing, irregularities and seams remain, which impair the properties of the reflector.

Using metal foil

Aluminum foil is highly reflective, which allows it to be used in the restoration of headlight reflectors. You will also need some epoxy resin. To maintain a perfectly smooth surface of the foil, the entire pattern is made from plain paper. Then the parts are duplicated from aluminum sheet, a thin layer of resin is applied to the reflector and glued, removing excess resin.

Advantages: withstands any temperature changes.

Disadvantages: being between the metal foil and the plastic base, epoxy glue lacks air and takes a very long time to dry. It is almost impossible to remove dried glue. Therefore, such a reflector is not suitable for repeated restoration. With the advent of tape foil, this method is practically not used.

Using chrome paint

Headlight reflector repair using chrome paint is the most popular. No need to cut and glue anything. Paint is sprayed onto the degreased surface of the reflector from a can of white chrome until a uniform, uniform layer is obtained. After painting, the headlight is dried according to the instructions on the can.

Benefits: Provides a smooth surface. You can even spray paint onto metal tape, thus increasing the reflective effect.

Disadvantages: does not tolerate high temperatures. You should try to find heat-resistant chrome paint.

Using mirror film

No less effective is the restoration of the reflector by applying a metallized self-adhesive film of the Oracal brand. Films from the Oracal 351 and Oracal 352 series can withstand temperature changes from -40 to +120°C and, according to the manufacturer, can be used outdoors for two years without deterioration in performance. Since the headlight is a hermetically sealed space, the service life of the self-adhesive film increases.

It is necessary to make templates from paper or ordinary tape that exactly replicate the shape of the reflector. Then cut out the polyester film of a similar shape. Using a hairdryer, glue it onto the prepared surface of the reflector, smoothing it out and preventing the appearance of bubbles. The joints and edges can be additionally treated with chrome paint.

Advantages: reliable manufacturer, excellent reflective effect.

Disadvantages: the price of 1 m2 starts from $5.

As you can see, restoring headlight reflectors is a simple procedure and quite feasible in a garage. Considering the fact that auto repair shops charge an order of magnitude more money for similar work, it always makes sense to try to return the headlight to its previous brightness with your own hands using one of the proposed methods.

We fight yellowness and bluish bloom

Plastic headlight polishing and protection kit includes cleaning abrasive paste, protective spray and microfiber cloth

To quickly eliminate cloudy deposits and yellowness, just pop into an auto chemical store and choose a DIY headlight polishing kit. Various manufacturers have been offering something similar in retail for a long time. For example, the German brand Autosol has in its arsenal a convenient kit called “Set for polishing and protecting plastic headlights.” It includes a cleaning abrasive paste, protective spray and a microfiber cloth.

In the end, everything is done right in the parking lot. First, as mentioned above, the contact surface must be isolated with masking tape from adjacent parts. Headlights that have been cleaned of dust and dirt (an important point, since remaining debris can severely scratch the surface when wiped) should be carefully coated with restoring paste and polished by hand using a napkin.

By applying some effort for 10-15 minutes, you will be able to notice that the picture changes and the body becomes more transparent. At the end of this stage, the plastic is thoroughly washed with a stream of water or cleaned with a napkin so that no abrasive particles remain on the surface.

Ideally, the headlights should regain their original appearance, as if the car had just come out of the showroom. But to consolidate the result, a mild spray is used. This preservative is applied to the cleaned surface, after which, if necessary, it is wiped to a glossy shine with a microfiber cloth.