When driving a vehicle, you will always ensure that the parts are working efficiently. So it is very important to inspect the vehicle at regular intervals to ensure the best performance and overall safety.
Headlights are an essential part of the car that needs to be taken care of properly to remain in top working conditions. Proper headlights not only help us to see road markings, road obstacles, and signs but also helps us to prevent accidents that are a matter of life and death.
There are several well-known methods of cleaning headlights, such as rubbing with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda, soaps for car washing, but can you wax headlights for that matter?
Well, yes, you can apply a small amount of car wax on the headlights in order to clean it properly. It won’t do any harm, however, using too much of wax in headlights can create adverse situations.
You can also use headlight restoration kits available these days in the market.
Contents
Can you wax headlights?
It is possible to apply wax to car headlights. This ensures that the car wax protects the headlights and makes them clear for quite a considerable period. Applying wax also ensures an extra layer of protection for the car headlights. Applying car wax also prevents the debris from sticking to the surface of the plastic film of the car headlight.
Hence, applying car wax and plastic protectants acts as a shield to the headlights, protecting them against harmful sun UV rays from oxidation, dust, and fog. So no more you have to worry about foggy headlights of your car. However, a few aspects must be taken care of while applying wax to the headlight.
The plastic protectant of the headlights should have the same properties and consistency as the car’s paint. Every headlight is a protective spray of clear coat that weakens over time, and car wax helps to keep this protective barrier for a long time.
What kind of wax do you use on headlights?
Waxing is generally the final step while washing your car and its headlights. After checking the bulbs’ condition and cleaning the headlights, car wax should be applied over the headlight to be used as a protective barrier. The different types of wax available are:
- Synthetic Wax: Synthetic wax is generally made in labs with man-made materials, along with polymers like polydimethylsiloxane and other silicones. This is similar to the properties of natural wax and is available in different forms like sprays, pastes, or liquids in the market these days.
- Carnauba Wax: Carnauba wax is a form of natural wax made from the Carnauba Palm Tree available in Brazil. Out of all the natural waxes available to clean car headlights, carnauba wax is known to give the ultimate shine to your car’s headlights. If you prefer organic or plant-based wax to keep the longevity of your car headlights, then carnauba wax should be your best choice.
- Cleaner Wax: Cleaner wax combines a polishing agent and the wax to simplify a double process into one. This wax helps to polish the headlights and remove dirt and fine particles that cannot be removed just by washing them regularly. However, it is not that long-lasting and provides a high shine compared to synthetic wax.
- Hybrid Wax: Hybrid wax is a combination of synthetic wax along with a coating of ceramic in it. The ceramic coating forms a chemical bond with the wax and provides a protective layer to the headlights from heat, environmental contaminants, harsh detergents, and UV rays.
How to Wax Headlights?
When you are looking forward to waxing the headlights, it is very important to clean them properly and then wax them. This should be the final step to ensure all protection and shine to your car headlights.
Preparation:
- Proper inspection of the headlight should be done first to decide what all approaches are needed.
- Gather all the things you would require to clean the headlights, such as a car wax headlight restoration kit, whitening toothpaste, lens sealer, sandpaper, painter’s tape, and a microfiber towel.
- Once all these are ready, the first step is washing the headlights with regular car soap. This will ensure move away all the dirt.
- Then look for the hazy areas, yellowish spots, and peelings. It should be looked at seriously if there is any abrasion or scratch on the headlights.
- The best is to get help from a professional and inspect it properly.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Once the headlight is cleaned with car soap, tape off the headlights’ edge to ensure the outer paint is protected.
- After this, you need to sand away the headlights with sandpaper. Wet the sandpaper and start sanding the headlights.
- Now comes the part to wax and polish the car headlights after it is cleaned perfectly. Squeeze some polishing compound or lens sealer onto the microfiber towel and rub in a circular motion. Once it is cleaned, apply the car headlight wax as the final step to clean and maintain the shine of your car’s headlights.
Safety Tips:
- Test the wax before you use it on the headlight. The wax should match the paint of the car.
- You should always use microfiber towels instead of using old rags.
- To wash the car, use only car soap and cleaning solution made of an automotive finish.
- It is better to avoid direct sunlight while cleaning the headlights.
- Do not use any type of synthetic fabric and brush. It would result in a scratch.
- While waxing the headlights, you should always start from the top and then go down, and do not apply on a wet surface.
Common Mistakes while Waxing Headlights
Over Waxing
This is the most common mistake that one makes is to apply a thick layer of wax on the headlights. It won’t make them shinier, but it would waste a lot of materials. It would only bring to apply more pressure on buffing.
Not buffing properly
Once the headlights are cleaned with sandpaper, it is very important to buff properly with a buffing compound. You should always use the best quality buffing compound. Make sure you do not use any old dirty rags to buff. It is always recommended to use a clean microfiber towel.
Do not try to buff the entire headlight at one go; instead, select small areas, buff them properly and then move on to the next area. This would ensure that the headlights have been buffed properly without any left out. Just do not leave buffing only once; you should continue this process until the entire headlight looks clean.
Using the wrong type of wax
The biggest mistake is to use any type of wax on their headlights. Trust me; this would damage them instead of maintaining them. You should always use the best quality car headlight wax that is available. Another point is to ensure that the wax used for headlights should match your car’s paint.
These are the reason that many people do not get their desired results. So make sure you visit a professional and get the appropriate car wax for your headlight that would also go with the car’s paintwork.
Will wax protect headlights from yellowing?
Headlights turn yellow because the headlight’s plastic breaks from the sun’s harsh rays. There are ways to prevent this oxidizing process. Waxing prevents the headlights of the car from turning yellow. The ceramic protectors and the car wax put a protective barrier over the headlights, preventing any type of dirt and debris from entering the headlights.
It is also advised to use a lens sealant to ensure ultimate protection for the car headlights. You should never use poor quality, harsh, and abrasive car wax, or it would damage the headlights more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you put Turtle Wax on the headlights?
The Turtle Wax Lens Restorer Kit is exclusively made to wax your car’s headlights. It helps remove any types of scratches on the Plexiglass, clear acrylic materials, and clear plastic vinyl. However, before applying the wax, apply the Headlight Clarifying Compound first.
What is the best headlight coating?
The 3M Quick Headlight Clear Coat Wipes are considered the best headlight coating to protect car headlights. Another popular choice is to use Silicone as a headlight sealant. This high-quality silicone is not expensive and lasts quite a long time. It also allows expansion and contracture due to weather changes as it is extremely flexible. This prevents the headlights from cracking and getting peeled off.
How do you fix cloudy headlights?
Fog is a huge menace that causes the headlights to oxidize. There are ways to fix cloudy headlights. It is always advised to use surface protectants to build a shield over the headlights and protect it from fog, dirt, and UV rays. Another way to fix them is to apply car wax and plastic protectants for a long-lasting effect.
Is WD-40 good for headlights?
WD-40 is considered great for your car headlights. It is considered the best to clean car headlights. The best part of using WD-40 is that apart from giving the headlights a brand-new shine, it also imparts a protective coating that helps to retain the shine for a longer time.
Can you use a magic eraser to restore headlights?
Magic eraser is a great option to restore car headlights. Though they are not recommended for car paint, it is safe to use them on headlights to fix cloudy headlights. This cleaning tool also helps eliminate that gross yellowish tint that developed on the headlights over time. Buff them with a magic eraser, wait for some time, and rub it with a paper towel.
Conclusion:
Your car headlights are as important as other parts of the car as it helps to drive the car easily and safely during nighttime. It also helps to avoid obstacles and prevents accidents. Hence, it is essential to clean and maintain them. The best way to clean and maintain the shine of your car’s headlights is with the help of car headlight wax.
You should know the proper procedure to clean the headlights and apply the layer of wax in appropriate quantity to achieve the best-desired results. Car wax not only adds shine to the headlights but also protects them from the sun’s dust, debris, fog, and harmful UV rays for a long time.
