How do I clean garden solar light panels?

Joyce
by Joyce

My garden solar lights and now working well. It was suggested to me that the solar panel needs to be cleaned to make it shiny & absorb energy from the sun. What do people use to clean the little solar panels?

  3 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 14, 2019

    Step 1

    Clean the plastic surface with soap and water. Wash away any tree sap, bird droppings or grime on the surface. Dry thoroughly to remove any soapy residue.

    Step 2

    Wet-sand the plastic surface with 600-grit sandpaper. Wet-sanding requires using water to keep the sandpaper free of sanding dust. Pour water over the sandpaper and light every 5 to 10 seconds to keep the sandpaper free of clogs. Sand the surface in a circular motion until the damaged outer layer is removed. The plastic will have a dull sheen as a result of sanding.

    Step 3

    Wash and dry the solar light again to remove any sanding dust. Wet-sand the surface with 1,200-grit sandpaper to remove the dull sheen left by the 600-grit sanding process. Wash and dry the surface.

    Step 4

    Polish the plastic with a car wax containing UV blockers. Rub the car wax onto the plastic surface then wipe the residue away. Buff with a cloth to a high shine. The UV blockers in the car wax protect the plastic from clouding during exposure to the sun. The car wax does not prevent the operation of the solar cell.


  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Nov 14, 2019

    Solar lights have battery's inside of them. Cleaning also helps,but you may want to change your battery.

  • William William on Nov 15, 2019

    Batteries may need to be replaced. They last about a year or two. Solar panel can be cleaned with white toothpaste and a damp cloth.

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/outdoor/bringing-light-back-into-my-solar-lights-cleaning-challenge-31314756