|
There is a surprising number of reasons headlamp restoration or headlight/taillight fixes might be in your future. Whether they’re yellowing, hazy, cloudy or just not as bright as you’d like, your car’s lights are just like any other part of this powerful machine—prone to wear and tear. Unfortunately, taking your car through that auto wash might keep the paint, wheels, rims and undercarriage glossy, but it does little to improve the lights. In fact, any soap scum, waxes or polishes that you use might make this situation worse. Whose bright idea was that? One of the most common reasons lights need restoration is simply because they’re made out of plastic. Take a look at any plastic that faces the elements day after day and you’ll realize it’s probably not as clear as it used to be. Years ago, headlights were made out of glass, and while they were easy to break they were also easier to keep clean. Hard plastics, especially tempered ones for cars, are now the go-to material. Usually, this is polycarbonate plastic, and while it’s really durable it’s also porous. Hopefully your auto manufacturer added a film to the lights, but even if this happened it’s only “good” for a few years. Feeling Hazy? Bulb heat, chemicals on the road, UV exposure and general wear and tear will fade away that film. This allows for the underlying plastic to get oxidized, which is what causes that hazy, foggy look. The good news is that it’s really simple for a reputable mechanic to restore this, and a brand new film can be added. You’ll still need to restore your lights every few years (there’s no plastic and film combination that’s foolproof), but it’s a minor, fast and very budget-friendly procedure. You might think the biggest issue is that foggy headlights look ugly. There’s no denying that, but don’t forget about safety. You’re basically diffusing your lights when this oxidation happens, making your light beam weaker. This means you get less coverage, can’t see as well in fog or at night, and others on the road can’t see you. In fact, according to Street Directory, 90 percent of cars on the road have dirty or foggy headlights—and that can decrease visibility by up to 95 percent. The Best Solution It’s easy to think that getting new headlights is the way to go, and although that works, it’s the most expensive route. Modern cars are created as modules, so it can be tough to only buy a headlight cover. You’ll probably need to purchase the whole assembly, and that’s very expensive for all types of cars. For example, replacing a lens set on a Jeep Grand Cherokee costs about $1,500. Fortunately, there are ways to restore headlights perfectly for a fraction of the cost. Your trusted, local mechanic shop has the tools, skills and know-how to repair the majority of yellowed or cloudy headlights. Even better, for most cars this only takes a couple of minutes, so it’s no big deal to have it taken care of on your lunch break. If there’s a rush, a complimentary rental car for a day or two might be necessary. However, no matter which route you choose, remember that visibility behind the wheel is crucial. Without it, you may as well be driving blind.
Related Articles -
automotive headlamp restoration, headlamp restoration, taillight repair, headlight repair, yellow headlights, foggy headlights,
|
