Why does the fogging of headlights occur? What causes fogging and dampening? How can you remove moisture and fog from your headlights
Why do headlights fog up?
Any car owner can experience fogging problems. Although it’s obvious, the problem is often ignored by drivers who dismiss it as “it will be fixed by itself”. But water entering the headlights or dampening them can have serious consequences.
Particularly, water around electrical parts can corrode wires or short-circuit the system. The corrosion and moisture formations can cause metal parts to corrode and corrosion forms quickly. Chrome plating leaks can also occur quickly. The light will explode when it comes in contact with water. It is important to note that fogging your headlights can cause vision problems at night and reduce the lighting quality. You may not be able to see a pedestrian or pothole in the road due to this. The moisture must be removed from the headlights.
Three reasons moisture could enter your headlights are important. These same reasons apply to turn signals, fog lights, and taillights.
1. Leaking and damaged headlight gaskets
Leaking or damaged headlight gaskets is the main cause. You can either replace or repair the gasket. While some vehicles may have a replacement gasket, most applications don’t have one. This is why it’s a complicated process that you have to do yourself. The entire headlight assembly must be disassembled and dried with a hair dryer. You should keep the hair dryer at an average temperature, and not too close to wires. Then, seal the entire perimeter with a glue gun. You should take your time to ensure you do it correctly the first time.
2. Clogged Vents
The second reason could be clogged vents. This can be fixed without having to remove and replace the headlight. Condensation occurs when the halogen bulb inside your headlights heats and cools. This condensation is then thrown into the atmosphere via the dehumidification holes. If your ventilation holes become blocked, water droplets and condensation can form within your headlight.
Vents can be blocked by dirt of all kinds. It is important to ensure that the vents do not become blocked before you attempt to repair any gasket. Instead of pushing the dirt in, try to push it out. If you don’t want dirt in your headlight, it is best to open the gasket.
3. Cracked or damaged headlights
Cracking or damage to headlights is the final and most serious cause. These cracks can sometimes be too small to see with the naked eye. “microcracks”. It may be necessary to get creative when repairing or replacing your headlight. While you could dry your headlights with a hair dryer, it is only a temporary fix. When it rains again, you will be back where you were.
You may have a faulty gasket, clogged vents or water leaking into your headlights after repairs. You have two options: retry the repairs, or you can replace your headlight. Although replacing your headlights can be costly, it is a better option than having the system cut short and setting off a fire, or compromising your night vision and leading to an accident.
No matter what you do, don’t allow moisture to enter the headlight assembly. It is only a matter time before a small inconvenience becomes a major problem.
