How To Clean Your Ford Mustang Headlights?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: July 18, 2023

After a certain amount of usage, the headlights of your Ford Mustang can gradually start to appear foggy and lose their initial sharpness.

A number of factors can lead to such deterioration, including the harsh exposure to sunlight, the buildup of grime and road debris, and the eventual degradation of the Mustang's headlight material itself.

The end result is your once crystal clear and dynamic headlights turning a hazy yellow or adopting a completely opaque look, diminishing their effectiveness and detracting from the overall appearance of your car.
Beyond the cosmetic aspect, hazy headlights can also pose a risk due to their diminished light transmission and reduced brightness, making driving particularly treacherous during nighttime conditions.

You might be thinking: is it possible to clean your Ford Mustang's headlights and regain their initial sharpness?

The answer to that is a resounding yes. There are a myriad of methods and techniques out there that can transform your previously foggy and dim headlights back to their clear and pristine state.

Continue scrolling to learn about the different methods for headlight restoration; you're bound to find a solution that works for you.

How to rejuvenate your Ford Mustang's hazy headlights?

When it comes to restoring the foggy headlights of the Ford Mustang, you've got a diverse range of options at your disposal. This includes everything from time-honored home remedies, convenient off-the-shelf DIY solutions, to more advanced professional techniques requiring specialized equipment.

In this article, we've organized the headlight restoration methods from the easiest to the most challenging. The best method for you will largely depend on the extent of wear and tear, and if one method doesn't do the trick, there's always the next one to try.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE

Any restoration efforts aimed at restoring the brightness of your headlights should be carried out with utmost care. Incorrectly performed operations carry the risk of damaging or even breaking the Ford Mustang headlight.

If you're uncertain about your skill level, it's recommended to leave the restoration of dim headlights to the professionals.

Start By Cleaning Your Ford Mustang Headlights

Here are the items you'll need for this:

• Car shampoo;
• Bucket of water;
• Microfiber towels.

Sometimes, what appears to be fogging of the Ford Mustang's headlights is simply a buildup of dirt, dust, or other debris.

Before resorting to more drastic measures, you should give the car a thorough wash. To do this, use a car-specific foam and cloth. Rinse the Mustang's body with water, apply foam, wipe with a cloth, and then rinse off all the dirt with water.

When washing your Ford Mustang's headlights, avoid rubbing them when they're entirely "dry." The dirt and dust on them can act as abrasives and leave scratches on the headlights.

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Removing Bugs from Your Ford Mustang Headlights May Be Necessary

You'll need the following items for this:

• Bug and tar remover;
• Water;
• Rag(s).

During your drives, small bugs and insects can get stuck to the headlight, leading to a decrease in visibility. These contaminants aren't easily removed with a regular wash, so you'll need special cleaning products.

For cleaning your Ford Mustang headlights: rinse the headlights with water, wipe them with a clean rag, apply the cleaner, and gently spread it across the headlight surface (take care not to apply too much force to avoid any unnecessary damage). 

Finally, wash off everything with a damp rag. This should remove all the contaminants for now.

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Using Toothpaste to Clean Your Ford Mustang's Headlights

Here are the items you'll need for this:

• Toothpaste;
• Rag(s);
• Napkin(s);
• Microfiber cloth

Start by wetting your headlights slightly. Wipe them with a rag, but don't let them dry. Using toothpaste with a whitening or plaque removal effect can be helpful. 

Apply a few drops of toothpaste to a rag and, with circular motions, spread it over the surface of the headlight. Let it sit for a while. 

Next, rinse the toothpaste off the Ford Mustang headlight. Wipe everything dry to avoid leaving any streaks or traces of toothpaste.

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda to Clean Your Ford Mustang's Headlights

What items will you need for this:

• Baking soda;
• Vinegar;
• Water;
• Rag(s);
• Napkin(s)
• Glass/ basin or bowl

Vinegar and baking soda are versatile cleaning agents that can be used for almost anything, including removing fog from headlights. 

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Find a glass, basin, bowl, or another convenient container. You'll need to mix soda and vinegar in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:3.

Wipe the Ford Mustang headlights with a damp rag. Wash your headlights with the prepared mixture. Finally, dry them thoroughly to avoid any stains.

Consider Polishing Your Ford Mustang's Headlights with Plastic Polish

You'll need the following items for this:

• Plastic polish;
• Microfiber cloth;
• Rag(s)

Optional:

• Angle grinder;
• Polishing discs

As the Ford Mustang's headlights are made of plastic, you can attempt to polish them with a plastic polish. To do this, wash the headlight, apply the polish to a rag, and polish the headlight surface.

If you have access to an angle grinder and you're comfortable using it, you can utilize it for this task. You'll need to select the appropriate disc and work cautiously to avoid damaging the headlight.

Revive Your Ford Mustang's Dull Headlights Using Sandpaper

What items will you need for this:

• Sandpaper (grain: 1500, 2000, 3000);
• Rag(s);
• Water;
• Polishing product;
• Silicone spray;
• Clear varnish

Cleaning Ford Mustang headlights with sandpaper is more of a task for those who know their way around a car, as it requires a bit of elbow grease and delicacy to avoid deep scratches on the headlights.

NOTE! If you're not feeling confident about this, it's best to avoid this method and prevent any unnecessary damage to your headlight casing.

We're using sandpaper in this scenario when the exterior of the headlight has oxidized, and there's an opportunity to restore it by removing the damaged layer.

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Before you start sanding, make sure to wash off any grime from the headlight. Mask the area around the headlight with some adhesive tape; it'll keep the car's paint job safe during the polishing procedure.

If you can, remove the headlight from the Ford Mustang - it'll be a lot easier to work from every angle without worrying about scratching the paint.

Next, get your sandpaper ready. Depending on the condition of the headlight, you might want to start with 1500 or 2000 grain (If the headlight is really dull - use 1500 grain, if it's not so bad - go with 2000 grain).

REMEMBER! Soak the sandpaper before using it on the Ford Mustang headlight. Scrub every part of the headlight thoroughly. Stick to one direction while scrubbing: move your hand in horizontal motions from left to right or vice versa for no more than 4 minutes per headlight.

Do the same thing with the other headlight. Then grab another piece of sandpaper, this time 3000 grain, and after wetting it use vertical strokes to scrub every part of the headlight (from top to bottom; again, no more than 4 minutes per headlight).

Now, rinse off any remains of the abrasive and whatever you scrubbed off the headlights. At this point, your headlights should start to look more transparent and clear.

However, after this procedure, you'll need to restore the protective layer you just scrubbed off the headlight. Here are three ways to do that:

Polishing product - dab a bit on a rag and wipe it carefully over the headlight;

Silicone spray - spray an even layer on the headlight;

Clear varnish - apply a thin, even layer over the headlight's surface.

Headlight Restorer: A Nifty Solution

What items will you need for this:

• Headlight restorer;
• Rag(s)

A Ford Mustang headlight restoration kit is just within reach at your local automotive store or supermarket. Typically, this is a chemical compound that comes with all the necessary rags and abrasives you'll need.

Most of the time, all it takes is a good dab of headlight restorer onto your clean headlight, a little bit of elbow grease, and then waiting for the magic to happen. Rinse it all off, and you're left with a pair of shiny, good-as-new headlights.

When you're shopping for a headlight restorer for your Ford Mustang headlights, be sure to read and follow the instructions carefully.

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Leave it to the Pros

What items will you need for this: Cash.

The surefire way to get it done right is to let the professionals handle your Ford Mustang headlight polish job. There are plenty of services that offer professional Ford Mustang headlight polishing services. Yeah, it's not cheap, but you can be confident in the result - they can make even the saddest-looking headlights shine again.

Think About a Headlight Assembly Replacement

What items do you need for this: A new headlight assembly.

Over time, the Ford Mustang headlights might dim to the point that no amount of polishing or restoration can fix them. 

Plus, you might start noticing other signs of wear on the headlights, like cracks, chips, burnt spots (if the bulbs have been inserted improperly or have overheated, melting the headlight from the inside), and a burned-out or damaged reflector or lens.

When you get to that stage, you're better off not wasting time trying to fix it and just replacing the Ford Mustang headlight with a brand new one. There are plenty of options out there, so you shouldn't have trouble finding the right one for your needs.

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Other Issues You Might Run Into with Mustang Headlights

Headlight Fogging

Condensation can form inside the Ford Mustang headlight itself, fogging up the headlight and impacting visibility. This usually occurs when the headlight's seal gets compromised, letting water seep into any cracks or gaps.

As time passes, the water evaporates and fog forms. To tackle this problem, you'll have to remove the headlight from the Mustang, carefully dismantle its housing, locate the source of the water ingress, and patch it up.

Burned-Out Headlight

Another reason your Ford Mustang headlights might dim could be the light bulb itself. If it's improperly placed or overheats during operation, the plastic can start to melt. This can lead to the aforementioned unpleasant effects.

The fix for this involves replacing the headlight's glass/plastic or switching out the bulb for one that generates less heat or has a more effective cooling system.

It Could Be Your Ford Mustang's Headlight Bulbs

If the headlights are clean, not dull, and show no signs of damage or wear, but the light is still poor, then the problem likely lies with the bulbs. 

Ford Mustang headlight bulbs can wear out over time, so dim light could be a sign that they're on their last legs. The solution here is to replace old or worn-out bulbs with new ones, or you might want to consider installing brighter headlight bulbs.
 

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How to Protect Your Ford Mustang's Headlights?

Dim headlights not only mar the Mustang's sleek looks but can seriously impact your night-time driving. Foggy plastic scatters the beam, resulting in reduced road visibility.

To stop your Mustang’s headlights from becoming dull, dim, or yellowish, here's what you can do:

• Regular headlight cleaning: occasionally give your headlights a good clean to keep them looking crisp and clear. You can use specialized tools and cleaners, or leave it to the pros.
• Parking in the shade: the hot sun can cause your clear plastic headlights to turn yellow over time. UV rays can penetrate the headlight plastic and damage its structure. Whenever possible, park your prized Mustang in a shaded spot or a garage.

Wrapping Things Up

Shiny, clear Ford Mustang headlights ensure efficient and far-reaching visibility under all conditions. So, when you start noticing your headlights losing their brightness, it's essential to deal with it pronto.

Employing the right methods and techniques to clean your Mustang's headlights will help restore their usual transparency and improve your overall driving experience.

If you're not confident about cleaning your Mustang’s headlights by yourself, don't hesitate to leave it to the experts. Yeah, it's gonna cost you a bit, but you'll have the peace of mind knowing your headlight cleaning and restoration was done right.