“WD-40! Does it really work?” You asked yourself over and over as you gaze on the car headlights which you had cleaned the week before. Now, you’re wondering, what’s the best way to clean headlights? You have probably heard of headlights restoration kit all over the internet but you are confused about how to restore headlights with WD-40 vs headlight restoration kit – which is the way to go?
We get it – headlight restoration can be overwhelming and boring. But it’s necessity. If you are planning on selling your car, for example, the resale value will be lower if your headlights look foggy and appear old. That’s because no one wants to buy a car with yellowish discoloured looking headlights because of how dangerous it is to drive with cloudy headlights.
Furthermore, many people believe that once their headlights become foggy, then, it’s time for a replacement. That is absolutely false and you can get rid of foggy headlights yourself using our headlight restoration DIY.
WD-40 vs headlight restoration kit
So, between the WD-40 and car headlight restoration kit, which is the best to clean dirty headlights? Well, if you ask me, I would definitely suggest using the headlight restoration kits for reasons you shall see as you read on. Now don’t get me wrong! Removing oxidation from headlights with WD-40 can work (have you seen our DIY hack with WD-40?), But still, it boils down to the goal behind the fix. If you are aiming for a more durable fix and protective coating over time, our headlight restoration kit is what you need.
As you would agree with me, there are over 1,000 posts and videos on the internet claiming headlight restoration with WD-40 is the best. You should be very careful with these videos as they may cause your headlights more harm than good if not properly executed. Also, most of these home DIY methods of removing dirty from car headlights are only temporary fixes that can last till your next car wash. I recommend you consider purchasing a headlight restoring kit from your local store or from an online automotive store that specializes in headlight restore wipes for roughly $15 – 20$.
That being said, let’s look at a direct comparison between WD-40 and our headlight restoration kit to ascertain the best choice of a solution when it comes to removing oxidation from headlights and restoring it back to its original shine.
Step by step method of cleaning headlight with WD-40 and clear light tech headlight restoration kit
To get started, here are the things you need to get rid of foggy headlights so as to make the beam shining as bright as new. Take out an automotive soap, a fresh microfiber towel, a WD-40 spray, and our clear light tech headlight restoration kit.
Are you excited about learning how to restore headlights with WD-40 and headlights restoration kit the right way and to know the difference? Yeah, it is genuinely possible. Just follow me:
- Take out a fresh clean microfiber towel
- Get a spray can of WD-40 (Just for an example)
- Get the car headlight restoration starter kit.
Test 1 (Try with WD-40)
For a better comparison, you can start with WD-40 on one headlight and observe the result before using the headlight restoration kit you bought from us. To get started follow the simple steps below.
Step 1: Take a soft microfiber towel with your automotive soap and wash your headlights. Next, dry thoroughly with a clean towel. If your car is still warm, you can allow it to cool down before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Shake your can of WD-40 solution and spray gently towards the surface of your car headlight. Careful not to spray on the body of your car. You can use a car tape to protect the surroundings of your car headlights so as not to spoil your paint job.
Step 3: In a circular motion, scrub with a buffing pad around the headlights and keep doing it over the whole yellowish parts. You can attach a buffing pad to a drill to make your work smoother.
Final Step: Using a clean rag, wipe off the WD-40 lubricant from your headlights and see if your headlights are as bright as new. Not really? Well, don’t be alarmed. WD-40 isn’t specifically produced for headlight restoration. It can only be used as a polishing solution for a temporary fix.
Pros:
- Relatively affordable.
- Multi-versatile – can be used on different surfaces.
- Easy to use.
- It can remove dried stains on some type of surface.
Cons:
- It’s not designed for headlight restoration.
- It can only be used on certain surfaces like metal.
- It can cause more harm than good if applied on the wrong surface.
See this full guide on how to clean headlights with WD-40 if you need a quick fix before you hit the road each morning.
Test 2 (Try with CLT headlight restoration kit)
We’ve seen how to clean headlights with WD-40 and it’s results. Now, it’s time we tried the CLT (clear light tech) restoration kit to restore the headlight lens and observe its results. To get started, follow the three-ways simple steps below.
Step 1: Open your headlight restoration kit and bring out the folded wipe. In a gentle circular motion, wipe the entire surface area of your car headlights lens. You don’t have to worry about tapping the surroundings of your car headlights. CLT headlight restoration solution isn’t harsh and won’t damage your car paint.
Step 2: Allow the solution to dry and go to work on your foggy headlights for some minutes. Next, using a clean microfiber towel, dry the surface of your headlight, and repeat the cleaning process until your headlights are clean.
Step 3: Dip your hand into the headlight restoration pack and bring out the unfolded wipe. Don’t fold it. Simply use it to wipe the headlight again for the last time. This wipe contains a special protective solution that covers your headlight with a coat and protects it from UV rays.
Hence, the reason why clear light tech (CLT) headlight restoration kit is more durable and preferable to WD-40.
Pros:
- It’s relatively affordable compared to a replacement.
- It’s specifically designed for headlight restoration.
- It’s very easy to use.
- It can remove any dirt or fog on any type of headlight.
- It’s easily sourced online and could be delivered to your doorstep.
Cons:
- Each pack is designed to be used for a single restoration process.
Wonderful right? If you tried out the above procedures, you would be amazed as to how Cristal clear your foggy headlights can turn out to look. That’s because the CLT headlight restoration kit is specifically designed for this one job – to clean dirty headlights.
Final Thoughts
According to the US Material Safety Data Sheet information and the CAS numbers, WD-40, as supplied in cans, contains 45-50 % low vapor pressure aliphatic hydrocarbon (kerosene), <35% petroleum base oil (non-hazardous heavy paraffin), <25% aliphatic hydrocarbons (same CAS number as the first item, but flammable), and 2-3% carbon dioxide (propellant). These compounds are suitable against rusts on metals as originally intended.
Although some people make use of it for polishing their headlights, it’s not advisable and could result in damages to your lens. To be on the safer side, you must use a product specifically produced for headlight restoration and that’s CLT headlight restoration kit
