Your Factory Headlight Lenses
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Ok, so a (UV) coating is applied to your factory Auto headlight lenses to help protect these newer Poly-carbonate headlight and taillight lenses from the elements as well as the suns harmful (UV) rays.
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However, many manufacturers only test their lens prototypes for up to 5 years of longevity; in the U.S. our government only requires auto manufacturers headlight lenses to last 3 years before becoming clouded or foggy.
Ref: www.ecfr.gov |
Our government also has Laws in place that prohibit the placement or adhering of any product or film that will diminish or distort the required distance that your headlight beams should reach.
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What Happens to the headlight lens?
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In time this UV coating develops a layer of so-called oxidation over the surface, a combination of oil, road grime and other air-borne contaminants is what the oxidation is made up from and is cooked onto the lenses from the heat of the lights themselves. and yes I can prove this fact.
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Refer to this article: Some deductive reasoning on headlight oxidation.
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Eventually this build-up on your headlight lenses will damage your factory UV coating and then the true oxidation or degradation of the headlight lens will begin, at this point resurfacing them will be your only option. Simple oxidation removal will remove the oxidation, but can not repair the damage to the UV coating or the degradation of the poly-carbonate lens.
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How does this affect my vision?
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When headlight oxidation occures, your line of site is decreased at night and in bad weather. When your headlights are foggy or clouded you get a broad dull beam of light instead of the sharp clear beam that projects light farther and helps you see obstacles farther away so you have time to react in a safe manner. Cloudy headlights can practically defeat the purpose of High & Low Beams.
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Clouded headlights cause GLARE to oncoming traffic!
Click on image to see an infographic.
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Keep in mind that the studies show that we lose 30% of our depth perception after dark, mainly due to the loss of pronounced color and shadows that enhance the 3 dimensional properties of an object.
Clear and far reaching headlights can greatly improve your depth perception and help you to take action sooner if needed. |
Do you have hard water?
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Hard water can also contribute to the clouding up of headlights.
Every time you wash your car, iron & lime deposits form a very thin film over your cars paint as well as your headlights. Over time these layers will start to become visible in the form of less clarity of the lenses, and if oxidation buildup is present, then hard water just makes it worse! Here's something I found that works great for removing the iron & hard water film on your car. You won't know how good your car looks until you remove the film! |
CarPro "Iron X" Iron Remover is the most effective auto paint Iron Remover on the market!
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