Your headlights aren’t just something that look good on the front of your car, they’re a vital safety feature. Without your lights you wouldn’t be able to see where you are going, and other road users wouldn’t be able to see you either so it’s vital that they are in the best possible condition at all times.
The problem is, however, that your headlights are often affected by the harsh weather conditions as you drive into the pouring rain. They can also be covered in water from the cars in front of you and splashed by passing motorists.
As a result they can start to take on water, especially if your car is an older model and the seals around the lights are starting to wear thin.
If water builds up inside your headlight cover then it can reduce the effect of your lights. The water can splash around inside the cover, preventing the light from shining through clearly, and it can also settle inside the cover and start to create mold – again reducing the effect of the lights.
Sound familiar? Well don’t worry as you are by no means alone in being in this position, and this blog will talk you through the solution step-by-step.
Step 1: Take the headlight out completely
To start with, remove the headlight completely. This is either done by accessing the bulb from under the bonnet or by removing the glass cover on the outside of the vehicle.
When you remove the headlight bulb make sure that you are very careful as the traditional bulbs are very easily damaged. It is best to wear a pair of protective gloves just in case the glass breaks, and you should be sure that the bulbs aren’t hot either so give your car time to cool down if you have just driven it.
Then you need to ensure that in addition to removing the bulb you also remove the connector. This is the part that transmits the electrical supply from your car’s battery to the bulb itself.
If you are putting the same bulb back into the car, be sure to put it somewhere safe and out of the way so that you don’t damage it before putting it back in place. However, this may be a good time to upgrade or replace your existing bulbs.
Step 2: Fill the headlights with water
Yes, you read that right. You will have to remove the headlight cover and fill it with water so that you can locate the leak where the water is getting in.
To remove the headlight cover you will need a small screwdriver, and it will need extreme care to avoid dropping and breaking the glass any more than it already has been.
Having removed the headlight cover, take it to a bucket of water (or a sink), and fill it with water. If there is any damage to the headlight itself you will see the water escaping through the affected area.
Step 3: Empty all of the water and dry your headlights
Having located the damage, mark it using either a marker pen or masking tape if you can fix it, and allow the headlight to dry fully before you attempt to make your repair.
If the crack is too large to repair then it may be worth simply investing in completely new headlights, something that you can buy from Euro Car Parts in-store or online.
Step 4: Seal the headlights
If the headlights are salvageable then you can use a range of plastic or glass sealants (depending on the material of your headlight or the cover, and the location of the crack) to stop the water from penetrating again.
Should the crack appear in the centre of the headlight rather than along the joint then the sealant may reduce the effectiveness of the light so you will have to change the whole headlight.
For more advice on car maintenance and our range of new car parts, check back to the Euro Car Parts blog again soon. If you need any details at all about buying cheap car parts for your vehicle or for delivery information, get in touch with one of our experts who will be happy to assist you.