What Causes Foggy Headlights and How to Clear Them?
What Causes Foggy Headlights and How to Clear Them?
Published on July 13, 2023. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes
Foggy headlights often cause difficulties for the rider. From affecting the visibility to affecting the bike’s overall performance, foggy headlights can be quite a nuisance. This is why you need to take good care of your vehicle’s headlights and ensure they remain clean, dry and function to their best capacity at all times. Just like you buy two wheeler insurance online to protect your vehicle, you need to take care of the headlights to keep the bike safe as well. Read on to know how you can do so.
What makes the headlights foggy?
Before we begin, let us look at the root cause of this problem. So what makes a headlight so foggy? Here are some factors that contribute towards this:
1. Moisture
One of the biggest reasons for foggy headlights is moisture build-up. Moisture often gets into the headlights and makes it foggy. This can happen due to several factors, including condensation. Usually, bike headlights have a moisture seal, but with age and wear & tear, this seal gradually wears off. Thereafter, the water vapour and droplets easily get it and you have foggy headlights on a regular basis.
2. Dirt and chemicals
If the seal comes loose, dirt and debris from the road easily get in. The harmful chemicals in the air also find their way in. There is a build-up and over time, the headlights turn hazy and foggy. This is another common reason why you may notice your headlights have become hazy.
3. Oxidation
The topmost, outer layer of the lights get exposed to the UV rays of the sun and experience oxidation, which in turn forces them to turn hazy and foggy.
How to remove water vapour from a car headlight?
If you notice the headlights have moisture and little water droplets inside them, ensure you clean them out before you take the bike out for a ride. If you don't, the bike may get involved in a crash and you will have to look to make a third party bike insurance claim. Here are some simple ways in which you can remove the moisture:
1. Use a hair dryer
This is one of the most common ways in which water vapour and moisture is removed from a foggy headlight. A hairdryer dispels the moisture by blowing strong, hot air directly on the affected headlight. This forces the water droplets inside to dry out and your headlight is back to being clear and free of fog.
2. Heat gun
A heat gun also works on the same principle as that a hair dryer but can be more effective as it generates a substantial amount of heat. However, you must be very careful and mind the distance between the run and the light. Do not take it too close to the headlight as a lot of heat can lead to the glass cracking. Work with caution and get your job done smoothly.
3. Open the seal and wipe
If you cannot get the moisture out externally, you will have to open the lid of the light and wipe it dry. It is easy to open the lid, but you have to take extra care and ensure it is sealed back again and the work is done with precision. If there is any gap, the fog problem will intensify and you will face many challenges that may include making a comprehensive bike insurance claim due to an accident.
4. Silica gel
Many people leave a few packs of silica gel inside the headlight for a while before taking them out. This helps absorb the moisture completely. However, you will have to open and close the lid several times for this, so ensure it is sealed properly when you are done.
5. Park in the sun
If you get good weather and the sun shines brightly, you may consider parking your vehicle in the open for a while. The hot rays of the sun, along with the dry atmospheric heat, help clear out the moisture effectively.
How to prevent getting moisture inside further?
1. Check the seal
As mentioned above, a broken seal on the headlight can be a major cause of moisture getting in. When you buy two wheeler insurance online, check for the servicing allowances. If you notice a major flaw in the seal, send your car to the garage and get the seal professionally fixed and then use your motor insurance policy to make a claim.
2. Look for blocked vents
At times, the air vents get clogged and this restricts the movement of air within the chambers of the headlight. This could be another reason for foggy headlights, so get a mechanic to examine your vehicle to rule out this possibility.
3. Regular maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance go a long way in ensuring the headlights are clean and fig-free. Send your car for servicing with the help of your two wheeler insurance online and keep it safe and protected.
Conclusion
As you can clearly see from the points mentioned above, it is very important to keep the moisture out of the headlights. Now that you know how to clean foggy headlights, do so and take the best care of these important bike components. You can avoid unnecessary accidents and preserve your comprehensive and third party bike insurance covers, while keeping yourself and your bike safe.
Disclaimer : The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales
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