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How do I remove oxidation from my car lights?

I’ve had my Ford Focus for about five years now, and I’m starting to notice that the headlights are looking really foggy and dim lately. I looked it up and apparently it’s called oxidation and it’s a normal thing, but I’d still like it to stop happening! How I can remove the oxidation from my car lights?

avatar
Chloe Jenkins · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oxidation is very common, but it’s still a great idea to get rid of it as soon as you notice it. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to remove oxidation from your car lights at little-to-no cost to you. Just tape around your car’s headlights, and then use any of the following techniques:
  • Toothpaste. Fill a bucket with water, squeeze a generous amount of toothpaste onto a cloth or towel, and begin scrubbing your headlight. At your own discretion, apply water to loosen the consistency of the toothpaste. Rinse and repeat as necessary until your headlights are cleared up.
  • Vinegar. In one bucket, add vinegar and baking soda and allow them to react. Once the reaction has died down, scoop up the mixture with a towel and begin wiping your headlights. Repeat until your lights are clear and if any residue remains, rinse with water.
  • WD-40. Mix a bucket of water with car shampoo or dish soap and clean your headlights before applying the WD-40. When you’re ready, shake the can and spray the product onto the headlights, then wipe it away with a towel or cloth. (You should be aware that WD-40 may not provide a suitable long lasting solution to this problem, but it will be effective for the time being.)
After you’ve cleaned up your car headlights, you might want to consider taking a second to clean up your
car insurance
policy, too. To do this easily, check out the
Jerry
app—we’ll get you personalized quotes from top providers, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you’ve picked one, we’ll even help you switch!
Happy cleaning!
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