Easy Steps to Clear Yellow Headlights

The yellowing headlight is a common issue that many drivers deal with. It’s the state in which the headlights become hazy and have a yellowish tint. The majority of automobile owners tend to ignore the issue until it becomes severe and compromises the brightness and range of the lights. For the best visibility when driving, you must understand how to remove yellow headlights.

What Is the Reason Behind Yellow Headlights?

You must comprehend the cause of headlight yellowing in order to identify the source of the issue. Oxidation is the primary cause of yellowing. The headlight assemblies on the majority of modern car models are composed of plastic.


It’s important to note that the outside plastic has an oxidation-resistant coating when brand-new. But eventually the coating peels off, making the area vulnerable to UV radiation.

Exposure to dirt is the second reason why the headlights are yellow. As previously mentioned, one method that debris damages this automotive component is by becoming lodged in surface fissures in the polycarbonate lens. It might potentially land inside, in which case you’ll need to clean the interior of the headlights.


Another reason for the blurry light assembly is gas exposure. When exhaust fumes land on the lens, they blur the image. One of the key factors is the density of these gasses.

Do headlights made of glass get yellow? Seldom do glass headlights become yellow. If they do, dirt or fume exposure is most likely the problem. Glass is more vulnerable to oxidation, which mostly affects assemblies made of polycarbonate.

The yellowing is caused in part by air exposure of the polycarbonate lens and UV radiation. Moreover, the surface of the lens may start to crack slightly as a result of the UV rays. The cover takes on a brownish appearance when dirt and other contaminants get trapped in the crevices.

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The Best Method For Clearing Yellow Headlights

To find the source of the issue, you must inspect your automobile lights if you notice that they are becoming dim. You should go out your mechanic’s tools and take care of your yellow lens case as soon as you see it. It is best to resolve the matter right away to prevent further light from being lost.

The following are some tools you should have on hand while handling a yellowing issue.

  • A cleaning rug and microfiber cloths.
  • Water and soap.
  • A misting bottle.
  • Sandpaper.
  • Toothpaste


To address oxidized headlights, if you possess the specified items, simply adhere to the indicated procedures.

Step 1: Scrub the Headlight Surface

Examine the damage and then quickly tidy up the lights. To clean and dry the outside, use a cloth and soapy water. After it’s finished, you can examine how much the assembly has yellowed and whether the surface has any pits or cracks in it.

Step Two: Handling Oxidation

There are multiple methods to address the yellow lens. The do-it-yourself approach is less expensive and can yield top-notch results. Here, you use common home materials such as baking soda, vinegar, and toothpaste.

How to Clean Your Own Yellow Headlights

Apply a generous amount of toothpaste from the tube to the yellow headlights you want to clean. Before washing them, apply it to both lenses and let it sit for a few minutes. There will be certain variations that you will notice.

If you choose to use baking powder to clean your car’s yellow headlights, use enough water to produce a thick paste that will work for both headlights. After a few minutes, apply the paste to the surface and rinse.

Another way to help is to take a vinegar bath. In a bowl, mix vinegar and water at a 2:1 ratio. Take off the headlight assembly and give them an hour or so to soak in the bath. Rinse them with fresh water afterwards. You’ll see that the plastic covering around the lights has stopped becoming stained.

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Conclusion

Is the light in your automobile flickering , dimming and brightening? If the lens appears yellow, the primary issue you have is oxidation. It may interfere with your ability to visualize and hinder your driving experience. This article examines the likely reasons of the issue and offers solutions for them.

on avoid yellow lights, always make sure your headlights are clean and apply a little layer of wax on them.

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