Mini Cooper: How to Clean Foggy Headlights

This article applies to the Mini Cooper (2001-present).

Foggy headlights not only look terrible on your car, they also have the potential to distort the amount of light being shown at night. This can often cause even the brightest bulbs to look dimmer than they should. As to why headlights can become foggy or hazy, the problems generally stem from either the weather, type of headlight housing, or the overall design of the unit. Mini Cooper headlights are made from a cheaper plastic composite, so the haze is seen fairly commonly. Although you can pay to have these lights repaired, most headlights will eventually begin to fade again. Because of this, learning how to clear them can saved you hundreds.

Step 1 – Prep the area

The first thing you'll want to do is clean the headlight of any debris/dirt. You do not want any dirt or rocks mixing with the polish, as you could end up scratching the headlight lenses. Use a glass/window cleaner and a microfiber towel to wipe off the headlights.

Step 2 – Wet sand the headlights

Wet sanding is generally required if the headlights themselves are in terrible condition. For basic cleaning, skip this step.

Otherwise, take the sandpaper and wet it, then begin to rub the surface of each headlight in a circular motion. Try not to be too rough, and let the sand paper do most of the work. Continue to rub for about three minutes, then wipe them with a cotton towel.

Step 3 – Apply the polish wax

Take your polish wax and apply a layer to each lens. Use the buffer pads to rub the polish in a circular motion until you apply it thoroughly. Continue to buff the polish until it is no longer visible. Wipe it down with a microfiber towel, and you are done.

Related Discussion

• Removing Haze from Headlights. - NorthAmericanMotoring.com