When it comes to talking about our safety and the safety of others on the road, exterior elements such as the windows or the headlights play a fundamental role. The latter are essential for illuminating the road in low-light situations, as well as allowing other drivers to see us more easily on dark roads or at night.
Due to the importance of our vehicle’s headlights, and as specialists in the automotive sector, we explain in our blog the factors that can damage the plastic covers of the bulbs, and how to always keep your car in top shape simply by polishing the car headlights.
Headlight polishing price — what does it involve?
Looking after your vehicle’s lights may seem like a very simple task, but to achieve long-lasting results, it is essential to leave the process in the hands of professionals — the headlight polishing price will depend on this.
The polishing process consists of removing, using the right products and tools, the wear that has built up on the headlights or the dirt accumulated over time. To achieve this, it will not be necessary to remove any part, unless there is some sort of piece protecting the headlights.
During the headlight polishing price process, a sanding machine with different grit levels is used. To begin, a 400‑grit sandpaper is used to remove the top layer, which is usually the most affected by the sun, thus smoothing the surface. Then, the process is repeated with finer sandpapers to help remove the whitish colour left on the plastic. Finally, using a polisher or a cloth, a paste is applied to give that characteristic shiny finish.
Reasons to polish the car headlights
Generally, the material used to make car headlights is transparent polycarbonate, designed to reflect light. The most common issue with this material is that it is prone to erosion due to its vulnerability when exposed to heat sources such as sunlight or when the vehicle’s own bulbs are too powerful. Under this exposure, the polycarbonate acquires a yellowish or white colour, losing its characteristic transparency and making the car look older and more neglected.
The reasons for choosing to polish car headlights should not be limited only to aesthetics, as their deterioration prevents light from passing through properly, meaning the headlights will not illuminate as they should. Poor lighting clearly affects safety at the wheel, as it hinders both visibility for the driver and how easily others on the road — pedestrians or cyclists — can see you.
Biggest enemies of headlights
As we mentioned earlier on our blog, it is very important to prepare your car before a trip, analysing the road conditions and even the weather you will encounter along your route, as natural elements are the number one enemies of both your vehicle’s windshield and its headlights.
Sun rays hitting the car after prolonged exposure outdoors, heat, rain, and falling temperatures are the main reasons why the headlights of our vehicle completely change colour, losing their translucent appearance. You must also take into account the dirt and debris that can accumulate on the road.
How often should you polish the car headlights?
As professionals in the automotive sector, at Ralarsa we recommend polishing headlights twice a year, especially if they are exposed for long periods. If this is not the case, polishing them once a year is more than enough.
Even so, polishing can only be done twice over the lifetime of the headlight surface. Doing it more times runs the risk of causing cracks, making immediate replacement necessary.
So don’t hesitate to keep your vehicle in top condition with our services at your nearest Ralarsa workshop. We look forward to seeing you!
