How can I prevent our car headlights from getting frosty?

William
by William

We live in a sunny state and I would like to be ahead of the inevitable ageing and discoloration of our new car's headlights.

  9 answers
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Dec 23, 2018

    Hi William! If you are asking about the haze headlights get, I had some success with white toothpaste and a microfiber cloth. I polished my old headlights in small circular rubbing and then cleaned it with water. Short term it worked, until I traded in my car. They also make kits for cleaning headlights.

    • Larry miller Larry miller on Dec 23, 2018

      Use a kit, wrong tooth paste WILL leave scratches,

      Kits available at most h ware stores, about $30.00.

      If you go to an automotive place..they charge $100.00 - 250.00.

      I have done mine approx 80 - 90 % better

  • Suzette Suzette on Dec 23, 2018

    Hi William, Here's a video that may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrlIhRea8u8


    Good luck!

  • See if these help!


    https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a10346/how-to-make-your-headlights-shine-like-new-16649941/


    https://www.instructables.com/id/Clean-your-headlights-with-toothpaste/


    https://www.prescottimportcar.com/how-to-clean-cloudy-headlight-lenses/


    I live in zone 9 in sunny southern CA. Best way to prevent is to garage the vehicle. That being said, I only have room for one car in my 2 car garage as half is filled with stuff from when my parents passed and ongoing projects. My 2005 Honda Civic lives in the driveway year round and the newer vehicle gets the garage space. Toothpaste has worked out well. I also visited a few local Pick Your Part type salvage yards and scored a few lenses to swap out if I should need to when the time comes.

  • William William on Dec 23, 2018

    Is there anything I can do to be proactive to stop the inevitable hazing?

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Dec 23, 2018

    I live in AZ & I DITTO Naomi's info.100%. Toothpaste-you need to use gentle but firm buffing circular motion with white toothpaste little warm water

  • William William on Dec 23, 2018

    If the lenses are plastic there is nothing you can do to prevent the hazing. You slow it down by using paste wax over the lenses. If the lenses are glass or crystal they won'r haze. I have a 2003 Honda Pilot with crystal lenses. No problem with the hazing. My daughter has a 2006 Chevy Equinox with plastic lenses. I clean her lenses every year or when they start to haze. Used white (not gel) toothpaste and a damp cloth. A dab of toothpaste on the cloth and rub in a circular motion a small area at a time. Keep the toothpaste moist. A separate wet cloth squeezing water as you rub. Wipe as you go along to see the progress. Once done put some paste wax over the lenses.

  • William William on Dec 23, 2018

    No liquid wax will not work. Doesn't even last on cars like paste wax. Paste wax is more durable and leaves a much long lasting coating.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jan 05, 2021

    Good to read. I also lived in So Cal and ocean spray didn’t help matters either.

    I used a plastic polish made by Simichrome that I bought for my motorcycle helmet’s visor.

  • Em Em on Jan 05, 2021

    Toothpaste is not strong enough nor will it last very long. You need super fine sandpaper to remove the film on the lenses. Start with 1500 then 2000 then 3000 grit. Wiping each off and using a paste cleaner in between to remove the fine residue.