Headlight Restoration is a cosmetic procedure that aims at restoring the original luster of headlight bulbs. This can be done by fixing or replacing defective bulbs in the motor. This process is carried out mainly by car mechanics, or car enthusiasts who wish to restore luster to their aging and faded headlamps. In fact, this is one of the most common procedures that car mechanics are conducting in order to bring back the original sparkling look of their classic car.
The first step to headlight restoration involves cleaning the existing wax layer from inside the headlight. This is usually accomplished by gently scraping off the clear coat coating from the inside surface of the bulbs using a soft-bristled toothbrush and soap solution. Next, a high-pressure air blast is conducted to blow away excess wax residue. Afterward, it is necessary to carefully rinse the bulb with water to remove any residual wax or dirt deposits.
The next step is to clean and polish the oxidation spots. Grime in the light bulbs can be caused by oxidation build-up caused by exposure to heat, dust, moisture, or flame. In order to effectively restore headlights to their original luster, car mechanics prefer to use high-grade synthetic materials and chemical agents that can effectively reduce the oxidization process to a minimum. After wiping down the light bulb with a piece of cotton cloth and using a high-grade towel to dry it, another high-quality towel is used to apply a very thin layer of synthetic wax.
The third step to headlight restoration kits is to apply microfiber towels soaked in car wax to the areas that received high-velocity spray. Afterward, these towels are allowed to sit on the headlight areas for a few minutes to soak up any excess moisture. Microfiber towels are made from ultra-soft, synthetic microfiber, which make them highly absorbent. After the treatments are done, it is necessary to buff the headlights with an auto body shop’s quality buffing pad. This will ensure that all the dirt and oxidation are removed.
During the last step in the headlight restoration process, technicians place a small amount of windshield chip sealer over the headlights looking like new. It is important to remember that sealant does not prevent condensation from forming between the headlights and their lens. The sealant only acts as a lubricant. Once this happens, it is necessary to conduct a series of spot checks to determine whether or not condensation has formed. If it has, it will need to be removed before the final coat is applied.
For those who own expensive high-end headlamps, they may be required to purchase a headlight restoration kit. This is a complete system that consists of all of the materials and tools needed to perform a quality headlight restoration job. These kits range in price depending on the specific component that is being restored. Some of the more common parts included in headlight restoration kits include urethane lens inserts, electrolysis units, factory bumpers, and precision glass shims.
In order to properly restore your headlamps, you must make sure that all of the equipment is in good working order. There are a variety of ways in which your lights can become damaged such as constant pulling on the headlights by the tow vehicle, extreme heat damage, and even leaking headlamps. In order to keep everything working properly, you will require a decent assortment of tools including an assortment of wrenches, an assortment of sockets and plugs, a good pair of wire cutters, an assortment of soldering guns, an assortment of brushes and soldering pads, a couple of old fashioned pipe pliers, and some elbow grease. If you have never completed any kind of headlamp restoration before, you should consider hiring the services of a certified mechanic to ensure that all of the parts are in good working order.
When performing your own headlight restoration, you may notice that certain items are in better repair than others. This is usually due to the fact that certain products, like the windshield and the plastic sealing material, are much more difficult to clean and are more prone to damage. Therefore, it is best to simply use a glass cleaner spray bottle to clean the lenses when necessary. You should also be aware that you should never spray your lenses with the same cleaning fluid that you will be using to clean and repair the other parts of the headlight. In order to ensure that everything is pristine and ready to go for your restoration job, you should always clean and inspect everything once you have returned to your vehicle from your trip.
