Back in the 1980s, car manufacturers almost ubiquitously made use of car headlights that were made out of glass. In the time since then, however, all of them have changed over to polycarbonate or plastic headlights on the ground of increased safety levels during a collision. Sadly, this has led to a new problem, namely headlight oxidation.
Oxidation is a natural process, which occurs over time. In the case of car headlights, the problem usually arises out of excessive exposure to the sun, with ultraviolet rays being the primary cause. Road debris and atmospheric chemicals also contribute to the problem. If your vehicle has this problem, here’s how to correct it using toothpaste and a cloth:
A Note before You Start
A cloudy appearance on a polycarbonate or plastic lens isn't necessarily the product of oxidation. Sometimes, built-up grit and grime can lend a hazy look to these surfaces. Make sure you thoroughly wash your headlights to determine the root cause of the haziness or discoloration prior to starting oxidation repair.
What you’ll need:
• Car wax
• Masking tape
• Plastic or vinyl gloves
• Toothpaste of any kind
• Soap
• Cloth or sponge
• Water
Method
1. Clean your headlights with soap and water using firm back-and-forth movements, then rinse off with water. Leave them to air-dry.
2. Mask around the edges of your headlights using masking tape in order to protect your vehicle’s bodywork from accidental scuffing.
3. Put your gloves on and dampen a clean, soft cloth in water. Add a dab of toothpaste.
4. Using the toothpaste-laden cloth, firmly rub the surface of your headlights using a small, circular motion.
5. Add toothpaste and water as needed, and expect to spend up to five minutes on each affected light.
6. Apply car wax to your clean headlights in order to protect them from future damage using a clean cloth and a circular motion, followed by another rinse of water.
Why this method works
Toothpaste contains a mild abrasive that buffs out the surface of our teeth when we brush them, and this same effect is applicable to car headlights! This is what allows it to remove stains from oxidized headlights.
Content and image source: Yourmechanic
Surprise Your Kids With This Fake Snow Recipe!
Learn how to make your very own snow from the comfort of your own home thanks to this brilliant guide.
A Complete Guide to Solving Your Problems
Your ability to solve problems, or lack thereof, has a great bearing on whether you can be happy and successful. Try these 3 problem-solving methods.
10 Ways to Beat a Car Dealer and Save Yourself Some Money!
Are you considering buying yourself a new car. If so, knowing these simple tricks could end up saving you a considerable sum of money.
Myth or Truth: Is Bird Poop Harmful to Our Cars?
Here's what to do in order to prevent bird poop from damaging your car
Discover How to Use Turmeric to Remove Unwanted Hair
Turmeric is a wonderful spice from India that has a whole myriad of different applications. Here's how to make 5 turmeric-based masks for unwanted hair removal.
Did You Know That Your Washing Machine Needs Cleaning Too?
Most people never even think about it, but did you know that washing machines need washing too? Here's a quick guide to washing your washing machine.
DIY: 6 Methods for Removing Scratches from Eyeglasses
If you wear glasses or know someone who does, you've probably heard them complain about scratches. Now you can fix these scratches with the following 6 tips!
Learn How to Grow Your Favorite Fruit and Veggies Indoors
All these plants are delicious, packed full of healthy nutrients and easy-to-grow even if you don’t have a yard or garden
If You Wear These Shoes Often, You Are Damaging Your Feet
Wearing these shoes often can damage your feet!
With Age Comes Wisdom! Great Advice From People Over 50
Why get advice from a book when you can get great advice from a person over 50?
16 Unique Uses For Coconut Oil Outside the Kitchen
There's more to coconut oil than its incredible health benefits. Here are 16 fantastic ways that it can be used outside the kitchen.
7 Unique Bathroom Cleaning Tips You Really Need to Know!
We bet you didn't know that you can use black tea, vinegar & even your vacuum cleaner to make your bathroom cleaner than ever before!
Avoid These Email Clichés and Communicate More Effectively
Watch out for the outdated phrases below and upgrade your email vocabulary with thoughtful and unique sentiments.
Discover 6 Easy Ways to Clean a Home with Hydrogen Peroxide
We all want to see our homes clean and sparkling, and it turns out that with hydrogen peroxide - something we all have at home- this can be done with ease!
Do You Store Your Eggs in the Door of Your Fridge? Don't!
If you store your eggs in the refrigerator door, you should stop. Here's why.
Make Your Home Look Expensive With These Low-Cost Tips
Transform the look of your home with these low-cost tips and tricks.
If You See a Baby Choking, Do You Know What To Do?
If you see a baby choking, do you know what to do? This guide explains.
7 Easy, Low-Carb and Guilt-Free Pasta Recipes
Pasta is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and rightfully so – it’s easy to make, delicious, and the sauce options are numerous. Enjoy these 7 recipes that will make your cuisine dreams a reality.
9 Ingenious Q-Tip Hacks for Surprising Daily Uses
We bet you never thought cotton swabs could be so handy around the house!
10 Tips for Cleaning With Salt - Number 8 is My Favorite..
Salt can be found in every home, but besides for cooking, it is efficient and useful for cleaning. Here are 10 effective ways to use salt for cleaning.
9 Ultimate Methods for Stain Removal around the House
Things we;ve had for a long time tend to lose their fresh-out-the-box look but this can be remedied! These methods will help you remove those stubborn stains!
These Handy Stand Mixer Tips Made A Massive Difference...
A cooking mixer is an important appliance in any kitchen. If you employ these 9 tips, we guarantee you'll fall in love with your even more.
The Secret to Folding a Fitted Sheet!
A fitted sheet seems to be designed NOT to be folded. However, this video will tell you the truth and teach you how to fold it with ease.
Do You Power Nap? If Not, Here's Why You Should!
Nothing beats a good night's sleep, but there are many benefits that arise from taking a short power nap. Here are 6 of them.
One Hundred Fascinating Facts About the Amazing Human Body
The human body is the most amazing thing in the universe. Here are 100 reasons why!
16 Extraordinary Table Salt Uses That No One Knows About
Salt is one of nature's most vital things, but did you know how useful it really can be? Here are 16 benefits of using salt around the house.
This Is Why You Should NOT Reboil Your Water!
It can be tempting to reboil water for your hot drinks. But when ordinary water is over boiled or reboiled, the chemical compounds change for the worse. Learn about it here.
Do You Know Why Wedding Rings Are Worn On the 4th Finger?
There's a specific reason why we all wear our wedding rings on our fourth fingers, and this informative video will explain the tradition behind it.
How to Become Wiser in 6 Simple Steps
Intelligence is something, some say, we are born with. On the other hand, wisdom, which is far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really achieved it. Ch
15 Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Spotless With Ease
Tips and tricks that'll help you keep your home clean with speed and ease.
Video Tutorial: How to Speak More Clearly
In this video, we will learn how to speak clearly and so we are easily understood.
The Operating System of Life
Dive deep into the cells of our body and be amazed at the incredible work they do!
25 Ways to Keep Your Garden Healthy and Thriving
We've collected some great tips for maintaining a healthy garden that will help you every day.
Did You Know? Your Pillow Might Be Ruining Your Sleep
Your pillow could affecting your sleep. This article will give advice on when to change your pillow, the best sized pillow and tips for buying a new pillow.
Enrich Your Knowledge with These Amazingly Useful Charts
Save these useful charts today! We guarantee they will come in handy…
Ink Stain Removal Made Easy With 9 Ultimate Home Methods
Don't throw out you ink-stained clothing, instead, try one of these 9 at-home methods of ink removal to revive your garments
I Bet You Never Realized How Useful Coffee Grounds Can Be!
Hold it! Don't throw away those old coffee grounds of yours - they have more uses than you can imagine. Read this post for 19 ways to use old coffee grounds.
This Handy DIY Project Will Have You Collecting Corks
There are so many useful things you can do with a cork. Start collecting your now!
15 Easy Ways to Repurpose Household Waste in the GARDEN
Learn how to reuse waste and old or broken items to give your garden a real upgrade!
6 Simple and Important Flexibility Exercises for Seniors
Regain flexibility after 60 with these easy exercises.
Banish Your Skin's Pimply Blemishes with These 8 Remedies
You thought and hoped you'd left those acne ridden days behind you. Well with these 8 home-remedies you may finally be able to enjoy pimple free skin.
7 Steps That Will Help Break Your Addiction to Sugar!
If you're addicted to sugar, following these 7 steps will help you break this unhealthy addiction.
Use This Genius Method to Revive Dirty White Socks
In this article, we’ll show you how to remove the dirt, the staining, and the greyness from white socks with regular home supplies.
Banish Your Wrinkles With These Natural Face Masks
Keep your wrinkles at bay with these natural, easy to make face mask recipes.
8 Super Handy Grocery Bag Tips You Have to Try
Whether you prefer paper or plastic, there are enough hacks here to really boost your bag usage. These tips will save you time, money and space. Perfect!
10 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Mice In Your House!
There are ways to deal with a mice infestation in your home in an efficient and humane way.
Eye-Relaxing Tips: Simple and Fast Exercises for Your Eyes
Do your eyes feel strained at the end of the day? These useful exercises will provide some relief.