How to Fix and Repair Headlights for Maximum Safety

Basically, fixing and repairing your cars headlights is(be careful not to hit the bulb. Let the water run out
something everyone can do. You could take your carand then patch with silicone (easily obtained at
to your local car dealer and pay hundreds of dollarsWalmart or your local automotive store). Then find
or you could repair them yourself for as little as $15. Ithe source of the water. Usually the seals start to go
would rather keep my money than make my localbad after 3-5 years. You can cover the seal around
dealer rich with their outrageous markups and prices.the lens with silicone to reseal the lens. If the leak
Here is how to properly evaluate, fix and repairwas caused by a crack a clear sealant like urethane
almost any automotive headlight problem.can be used to seal the crack or small hole. If it is a
First, determine what the problem is. Are they dim,large hole it would be best to replace the lens.
not working at all, hard to see with at night, haveThe other major problem is cloudy, yellow headlight
water inside, failed inspection? If they don't come onlenses which can lead to diminished output, poor
at all either you have a burned out bulb or annighttime visibility and basically an unsafe car. There
electrical problem. An electrical problem can beare now headlight repair, restorer and cleaner kits
expensive and very labor intensive to fix –available to cure this problem. In the past you had to
but they are usually vary rare. So lets first look atresort to replacing your lenses which can be very
the bulb. The bulb unscrews out of the back of theexpensive – $200+ per lens not including
headlight lens on most newer cars (on older cars withinstallation and labor at your local car dealer. Now for
glass headlights the whole lens is the bulb and youunder $20 you can fully restore your headlight lenses
just replace it with a new glass replacement $10to like new optical clarity and greatly improve your
– $20 at Walmart). After removing the bulb,nighttime safety. For more information on these kits
look at it. Does it look burned out? Is it black, melted,please see the link below.
discolored? If so, replace with a new one. You canThere you have it – the three biggest
purchase replacements at your local automotiveproblems with automotive headlights and how to fix
store or Walmart for under $20. Insert the new bulband repair them for greater safety for nighttime
or bulbs and make sure not to touch the glass partdriving – and save big by doing it yourself.
of the bulb with your fingers – the grease wePlease take the time to make your headlights and
emit on our fingers will cause the bulb to wear morerest of your car as safe as possible. As having
quickly or even blow. After installing the bulb try thevolunteered for a volunteer emergency squad for
lights. 99% of the time this is the reason they will notyears I have personally witnessed dozens of fatal
turn on. If it still doesn't light you have an electricalcrashes that could have easily been avoided by just
problem and this should be referred to your localproperly repairing and fixing the headlights. Be safe,
mechanic.drive safe – remember the life you save may
If you have water in your lens this is caused by abe your own. Please pass this around so that it may
leak, crack, or hole in the lens. With the newer plasticbenefit as many people as possible and increase the
lenses you need to remove the lens and thensafety on our roads.
carefully drill a small hole into the bottom of the lens