Better Driving Visibility: 3 Causes of Headlight Distortion & How to Preserve and Fix Them
Yellowed, hazy, or foggy vehicle headlights create problems for functionality, appearance and safety. But, with proper maintenance and aftercare, you can avoid this common problem, the eyesore look and big price tag attached to replacing modern headlights.
If your headlights are already distorted, don’t worry. They can look better!
Why Do Headlights Distort?
Modern headlights went from being made with glass housings to polycarbonate (plastic/acrylic). This was done to allow for more curved styles that come with new style of vehicles. But, plastic is more porous than glass so it reacts different to the elements and requires different care.
What causes your polycarbonate headlights to distort? This issue is caused by these 3 main factors:
1. Oxidation
UV rays from the sun are harmful and can degrade every part of a vehicle, but headlight plastics are a porous surface which makes them more susceptible to UV damage in the form of oxidation. The UV rays will cause micro cracks on the surface, but this happens so gradually that you probably wouldn’t notice until it’s too late, and damage is visible.
Side note: This is the same reason plastic trim on vehicles will fade or distort.
2. Road Damage
When all the rocks and debris on the road is getting kicked up, the front end of your vehicle takes most of the beating. Your headlights are no exception, especially in Alberta’s winter. This will cause accumulated damage, sometimes in the form of pitting.
3. Dirt & Chemicals
Ever been fueling up at the gas station, your headlights are dirty and you grab the windshield squeegee to give them a quick clean? If yes, you’re not the only person to do so.
Unfortunately, the winter washer fluid contains methanol (to prevent it freezing), which will severely dry out plastics. This adds to the problem.
Distorted Headlights are Unsafe.
Distorted headlights are unsafe because they negatively impact visibility. Light bulbs aren’t designed to shine through hazy lenses, so the light output suffers. And not only can you not see as far as you should, the other drivers on the road also can't see you as well, which can be dangerous.
What Can You Do About it?
Remove Oxidation
Ideally, your new headlights are sprayed with a UV resistant coating from the factory, but it’s not meant to last. So, if the coating isn’t preserved, once its gone - its gone. To bring back the shine, you need to remove the damaged, oxidized top layer completely.
To do this, it’s best to bring your vehicle to a trained professional. At Sindicate Auto Salon we wet sand to remove oxidation, and then polish to a near perfect finish - bringing back shine. Once they’re looking clear again, it’s important we protect them, and we’ll explain how below.
If you’re looking for a DIY method, there are many kits you can purchase to fix them yourself. Except, you may not get the results you want, nor will they stay clear. Restoring your headlights appearance is only a part of the fix. From there, they will need to be properly protected or it will just happen again shortly after.
Before & After Headlight Restoration on a 2002 Subaru Legacy
Headlight Protection
When it comes to protecting recently restored or new headlights, you have a couple different options:
1. Ceramic Coating
Once applied to the lenses, ceramic coatings will lock in shine and provide UV resistance.
Except, this is a short term solution since they don’t last forever, so it will need to be reapplied. Ceramic coatings are also not meant to protect from impact or abrasives like road debris. Because of this, this method would degrade quicker, so it is only a temporary protection method. Not saying it’s pointless, but it’s a minimum protection approach and should be reapplied frequently if you prefer this option.
2. Paint protection film (PPF)
Paint protection film is the best solution for long term, durable protection on your lenses. It has the same UV resistance as ceramic coatings, but also shields from impact damage to avoid pitting from road debris. And, if the film gets too beat up, you can peel it off and apply new PPF. You should be getting many years out of the PPF before you need to peel and reapply.
The cost for PPF is usually more, but when you consider the longer lifespan and the impact protection it provides — it’s worth it.
More on Modern Headlights: Is Distortion More Common Now than Before?
Yes, distortion is more common now because the material used to make headlight lenses have changed. As vehicles change in appearance, the style and manufacturing of all their components changed.
In the past, auto manufacturers were using “sealed beam” headlights, the ones that were usually square and made of glass. Glass is a more durable material and is more resistant to UV damage.
Since modern headlights are more technical in appearance, manufacturers were limited with glass to produce such curvy styles that we see on newer vehicles. So they shifted to using polycarbonate (plastic/acrylic) housings.
This made sense for production and demand, but despite their modern look and, (hopefully) coating protection from factory, the new housing materials are destined to discolour, and are not cheap to replace. We’re talking around $800 and up. Ouch!
Let’s Recap.
Your car's headlights are not just for function, they are an important safety feature and a big part of curb appeal. If you've noticed your headlights are hazy, yellow, or distorted, it's a clear sign that your light output is suffering. Do yourself (and your fellow drivers) a favour and get them fixed.
If you've recently bought a new vehicle, or your headlights are still clear, it's important to consider long term protection. Talk with a professional film or coating installer to help preserve your headlights and prevent potential repair costs down the road.
Keeping headlights in good condition means you'll enjoy safer, more enjoyable drives while maintaining a good look to your vehicle.
Whether you need an immediate fix or want to explore protective methods, we have options for both to best suit your needs.
