Okay, your Mercedes has foggy headlights. Quite annoying, right? Now, your luxury vehicle looks dull, and the cloudy, hazy headlights also block clear vision, especially at night. Calm down! You are not alone. Stick to the end of this comprehensive guide to learn the factors that impact your Mercedes headlights and make them inefficient so that you can correct them and take necessary precautions not to let that happen again in the future.
Reasons behind your Mercedes’s cloudy headlights
Condensation inside the headlight: One of the most common causes behind foggy headlights is dampness deposited inside the headlight housing. The moisture can accumulate due to several reasons like small cracks, broken seals, or poorly installed bulbs. Usually, the dampness inside the headlights turns into condensation and makes the lens foggy particularly when the temperature fluctuates, like in cold mornings or hot afternoons.
Deterioration of the outer lens: Nowadays, polycarbonate plastic is used to make headlights in modern Mercedes models. Well, these plastics are well-known for their longevity, but like any material, they can’t last forever and wear out over time. This material includes a clear protective layer on the headlights, but the layer degrades gradually while coming in contact with UV rays, rain, dust, and debris. This results in oxidation, causing the headlight surface to look blurry and foggy.
Accumulation of dirt and grime: Driving rigorously on rough terrains kicks up dust, dirt, mud, and road grime, which stick to the outer layer of the headlights. Yes, you can wipe off those stubborn stains, but it’s not always possible to wash the headlights thoroughly. Thus, eventually, those marks continue to stay, making your vehicle headlights look hazy.
Insufficient airflow in the headlight housing: The headlights are designed to avoid excess heat production by controlling air pressure through small vents. So, when these vents clog or become unclear over time, the dampness fails to escape, causing condensation and ultimately fogging up the he
Deterioration and damage: No doubt, your Mercedes is a brilliant piece, but like any vehicle part, the headlights can also start aging and getting blurred. The frequent reasons behind such nuisance are exposure to too much sunlight, bad weather, and other environmental factors, which can eventually make the lenses look foggy.
DIY tips to restore your Mercedes’s hazy headlights
- If you notice the fog getting deposited on the external lens, you can use a mixture of baking soda and water to wipe it off gently with a microfiber cloth after rinsing thoroughly. Using toothpaste with baking soda can also be effective for cleansing. To clean the headlights in a professional way, you may purchase a headlight restoration kit, which is easily available at any local auto parts store.
- Condensation inside the headlight housings can be treated by drying the moisture. For that, you can park your vehicle in sunlight so that the heat can evaporate the moisture. You can also take the help of a hairdryer or heat gun to blow hot air inside the headlight via the bulb socket, but remember not to overheat the headlights. Even after performing this at home, if you find water drops inside again, it’s better to replace the rubber seals if worn or damaged.
- To prevent further moisture build-ups, ensure all the seals are tight and secure. Next, check the headlight housing for any signs of cracks or damage and use sealant to fix them, if any. To absorb the excess dampness, you may use silica gel packs in the headlight housing.
- To clean foggy or yellowed headlights, first, wet the headlight surface and rub it with fine-grit sandpaper. Next, polish them with plastic cleaner. You may apply a UV-protectant coating to get rid of further oxidation.
Wrapping up
Cloudy headlights may look minor, but ignoring them can cause bigger problems like difficulty in getting clear vision at night, ruining the overall appearance of your Mercedes. Thus, from basic cleansing to major repairs, maintaining your headlights ensures your vehicle stays stylish and safe. However, even after performing the homely remedies, if your Mercedes headlights still stay blurred, it is better to seek professional assistance to detect the exact issue and replace the entire headlight housing as per the requirement.
