How to Make Headlights Brighter

Headlights are one of the most important parts of your car. Sometimes, they get old and become too weak to illuminate the road ahead. This can make it difficult to spot obstacles and other motorists while driving.

One of the best ways to improve visibility is to make your headlights brighter. This not only makes it easier to see the road at night but also enhances safety. Below are 3 ways you can make your headlights brighter.

How to Make Headlights Brighter

You can make your headlights brighter by cleaning the plastic cover using a restoration kit, upgrading to brighter HID or LED bulbs, or retrofitting your headlights.

1. Clean your headlight covers

Most headlights have a plastic polycarbonate cover that turns yellow and hazy over time. This is caused by exposure to excess UV rays and harsh weather conditions. The cover is also subject to scratches that reduce the amount of light emitted.

Moisture can also creep into a broken headlight and cause it to turn foggy. The water penetrates through fissures and cracks or through a broken seal. It’s good to note that these problems are more common in older cars that have been on the road for a long time.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can clean the headlight cover and make it clearer. You can use a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to scrub away the dirt, grime, and haze that makes your headlights look dim.

Other household products that work well include lemon and baking soda, whitening toothpaste, and WD40. These work well for headlights that aren’t too dim. They help to remove the coating that forms on top of the plastic headlight lens.

However, for older headlights, a headlight restoration kit works best. This is a kit that includes different grits of sandpaper used to scrub and smoothen the surface of the headlight. A UV protectant is also included to give the lens a clear and long-lasting finish.

Restoring your headlights does two things. It improves the amount of light your headlights produce and makes them look much cleaner and newer. This greatly improves the look of your car and raises its value.

2. Replace your headlight bulbs

Another simple way to make your headlights brighter is to upgrade your bulbs. Many older vehicles come with halogen bulbs. These use a filament that emits a yellowish dim light. For better results, it’s best to upgrade to high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs or LED bulbs.

HID bulbs produce light that is up to three times brighter than that of halogens. They are also more energy efficient and durable. A single bulb can last up to five times longer. They are also available in a wide range of color temperatures.

The lowest temperatures produce a yellow light while higher temperatures produce a white and blue light. The white options can improve your visibility by up to 350%. However, if you’re looking for better performance and more light, LED bulbs are the best option.

They are the brightest bulbs available on the market. They produce light that is up to 500% brighter when compared to halogen bulbs. Additionally, they last five to ten times longer. This is while consuming half the amount of energy.

Modern vehicles today feature LED lights due to their efficiency. The bulbs produce a pure white light that makes it easier to see at night. They are also easier to play around with when it comes to matching the vehicle’s design.

To fit HIDs or LEDs in your car, a headlight conversion kit is necessary. It helps to convert your headlight from halogen headlights to the preferred type. HID conversion kits are usually cheaper than LED conversion kits.

However, they are more complex to install on a car. Consult a professional before working with them. On the other hand, LEDs are much easier to install. Sometimes, it may be as simple as replacing the bulb.

3. Retrofit your headlights

Retrofitting is the process of installing HID projectors inside halogen headlights. This optimizes the performance of HID bulbs without blinding other road users. The process involves disassembling the stock halogen headlights.

The lens is removed from the headlight body and the projector is installed inside the reflector housing. The projectors are then straightened and re-sealed. It works best for headlights with clear lenses.

For headlight assemblies that have lines, ridges, and fluting; an aftermarket headlight with clear lenses is necessary. This allows you to retrofit your headlights. It’s, however, possible to get a retrofit package that comes with the lenses.

Unlike conversion kits, retrofit kits are not available for all types of cars. They are also expensive and can cost up to $2,000 if not more. You’ll also most likely void your vehicle’s warranty once you retrofit your headlights.

The process requires expertise and is almost impossible to do without the right tools. You’ll need a certified mechanic that can do the job. Nevertheless, this type of upgrade can improve your vehicle’s illumination by up to 500%.

What is the brightest headlight bulb that is legal?

LED bulbs are usually the brightest. They have the capacity to produce 9,000-10,000 lumens. Most HID bulbs produce about 8,000 lumens. Some options can be as bright as LEDs. The difference is in how they produce light.

LEDs use light-emitting diodes that have semiconductors. The semiconductors transmit photons that produce light. HID bulbs pass an electrical discharge between two electrodes to create light. They are filled with hydrogen gas to initiate the first strike of light.

Both types can be very bright. It’s always best to ensure that you’re not blinding oncoming traffic at night depending on what you choose. Check to see what the law states about headlight brightness to ensure you stay within the limits.

Conclusion

It’s possible to make your headlights brighter. You can clean them using simple DIY solutions or using a headlight restoration kit. Other methods include replacing the bulb with a brighter option like HIDs or LEDs or retrofitting your headlights. Some of these solutions require expertise and you may need to consult a certified mechanic.