Your headlights are very important, as they give you the necessary visibility to drive in less-than-ideal conditions.
The level of clarity of your headlights needs to be very high. On top of that, your headlights are a major aspect of your car’s aesthetic.
So, nobody will be very happy when the clear coating on their headlights starts peeling. Why does this happen, and how can you fix it? We’re going to cover that right now.
What is the Headlight Clear Coating?
Your headlights have a clear coating on them that you normally wouldn’t be able to see. This coating protects the headlights from UV rays and other harmful sun effects, thus extending the lifespan of those headlights.
All cars from off the assembly line with clear headlight coating.
With it, your headlights will grow smoothly, and you’ll have to conduct maintenance very often, so it’s not desirable for your clear headlight coating to start peeling.
Why is My Clear Coating Peeling?
Exposure to Heat and UV Radiation
The clear coat on the headlight lenses is designed to protect the plastic or glass underneath, but it can become damaged or degraded over time due to the sun’s rays.
Need for Proper Maintenance
Regular washing and waxing can help keep the clear coat in good condition, but paying attention to these tasks can lead to peeling.
Poor Quality Clear Coat
A clear coat not applied properly or made from low-quality materials may be more prone to peeling or flaking.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter why the clear coating is peeling so much as the fact that it is. But what are you going to do about it?
Consequences of Headlight Clear Coat Peeling
The consequences of headlight clear coat peeling can be significant, both in terms of the performance of the headlight lenses and the overall appearance of the vehicle.
Decrease in Headlight Performance and Visibility
When the clear coat is damaged or missing, the headlight lens is more susceptible to damage from the elements, leading to decreased visibility while driving at night.
This can be a serious safety issue, making it more difficult to see other vehicles and obstacles on the road.
Damaged Lens
A peeling clear coat can lead to damage to the headlight lens itself. The clear coat helps to protect the lens from scratches and other types of damage, so if it is not functioning properly, the lens may become damaged and need to be replaced.
Car Value
A peeling clear coat can also negatively impact the vehicle’s value. A car with damaged headlight lenses may not be as desirable to potential buyers, which can reduce its value.
Repairing Headlight Clear Coat Peeling
Before you try to do anything yourself, check in with your car dealer to see if you have a warranty on your vehicle. Replacing the clear coating on your headlights will fall under your warranty, and you can take it to be handled by professionals for free.
But this may only sometimes be the case, so how can you DIY it?
Well, first of all, you’ll have to remove the clear peeling coating entirely. There’s no salvaging it at that point; it’s not like you can regenerate the parts that have already peeled away.
To do that, you’ll need sandpaper and a lot of different grits.
In that order, you’ll want to wet away the damaged clear coat with 1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 grit sandpaper.
Polish won’t cover large scratches, so you’ll need to make them progressively smaller with each type of sandpaper until they are small enough to be covered by polish.
Once you have completely sanded away the failing clear coat and the scratches are small enough, you get rid of those scratches with a polisher.
Then, you will need to replace the clear coat with a new clear coat: something like Opticoat or a similar protectant. You can use whatever brand you think is best.
It’s important to make sure you get the finish perfect before you apply a new layer of clear coat.
After all, if you apply the coat over a surface with imperfections, those imperfections will be sealed in, and you’ll have no choice but to tolerate them unless you want to start the process all over again.
This is far from a speedy process. It requires a lot of time, effort, and elbow grease. It also risks going sideways if you need to know what you are doing.
That’s why we recommend checking to see if repairs can be handled under your car warranty before trying to do something yourself.
On the other hand, you can also pay to have your car repaired by a professional if you would rather go that route.
After all, if you mess up while applying a new clear coat, the new coat could go bad quickly, and you’ll be in the same predicament as before.
Prevention Tips
- Keep your car clean: Regularly washing and waxing your car can help to protect the clear coat on your headlights from damage.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Use mild soap and water to clean your headlights, and avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, which can strip the clear coat.
- Protect your headlights from the sun: If your car is parked in direct sunlight for extended periods, the heat and UV radiation can cause the clear coat to fade and peel. Consider using a car cover to protect your headlights from the sun.
- Avoid harsh driving conditions: Avoid driving on rough or muddy roads, as debris can chip and scratch the clear coat on your headlights.
- Use a protective coating: Applying a protective coating to your headlights can help to protect the clear coat from damage and fading. Several types of coatings are available, including ceramic coatings, which offer long-lasting protection and a high-gloss finish.
Summary
There are many reasons your clear headlight coating is peeling. Unfortunately, you cannot salvage the damaged coating, and you will have to replace it.
You should see if that can be done under your car warranty, or you could pay a professional for repairs.
If you want to attempt it yourself, you’ll have to sand away the failing clear coat, polish your headlights, and apply a new clear coating instead.
However, this is a very time-consuming endeavor, and there is much room for error, so bear that in mind. Unfortunately, there is no other way to solve the problem.