How To Clean Your Subaru Forester's Headlights?

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: July 18, 2023

With time and use, the headlights of your Subaru Forester may start to lose their initial clarity and brightness.

There are multiple factors behind this, such as exposure to sunlight, build-up of dirt and grime, and the natural wear and tear of the Forester's headlight material itself.

Once bright and clear, headlights can take on a yellowish hue or become wholly opaque. Not only does this diminish their functionality, but it also detracts from the overall aesthetics of your vehicle.
Beyond the cosmetic aspect, dimmed headlights are a safety concern as well. Poorly transmitting light, they don't illuminate the road ahead as brightly as they should, which can be hazardous, especially during night-time drives.

You might be asking yourself: is it possible to clean your Subaru Forester's headlights and regain their initial clarity?

The answer is an enthusiastic yes. There are various methods and techniques to rejuvenate your once dimmed headlights, restoring them to their original clear and clean state.

Continue reading to discover different solutions for headlight restoration. You're sure to find a technique that'll work for you.

How to revitalize Subaru Forester's dimmed headlights?

There's an array of methods to restore the clarity of your Subaru Forester's cloudy headlights. These range from traditional home remedies, DIY kits, to more professional solutions designed for those with proper equipment.

In this article, we'll present headlight restoration techniques in order of complexity: from simplest to most challenging. The degree of headlight wear dictates the method required, and if one approach doesn't bring the desired results, you can always step up to the next one.

DISCLAIMER/CAUTION

All actions taken to restore the brightness of your headlights should be carried out with care. There's a risk of damaging or even breaking your Subaru Forester's headlights if the procedure is done incorrectly.

If you're unsure about your capabilities, it's advised to leave the restoration of dimmed headlights to the professionals.

Give Your Subaru Forester a Thorough Cleaning First

You'll need the following items for this:

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

Often, what appears to be clouding of the Subaru Forester's headlights is just an accumulation of dust, dirt, or other debris.

Before resorting to more drastic measures, it's a good idea to give your car a thorough wash. Use a special car foam and a cloth for this task. Rinse the Forester's body with water, apply the foam, wipe it off with the cloth, and then rinse away the dirt.

When washing your Subaru Forester's headlights, avoid rubbing them when they're completely dry. The dirt and dust can act as abrasives, leaving scratches on the headlight surface.

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Removing Bugs from Subaru Forester Headlights May Be Necessary

You'll need the following items for this:

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

Bugs and small insects can stick to the headlights during drives, leading to visibility reduction. These pesky critters are tough to get rid of, so you'll likely need specialized cleaning products.

Here's a simple cleaning method for your Subaru Forester headlights: Rinse your headlights with water, wipe them with a clean rag, apply the bug remover, and gently scrub the entire surface of the headlight (avoid applying excessive force to prevent unwanted damage).

Finally, rinse off the cleaner with a wet rag. This should remove any lingering bugs or residue.

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Cleaning Subaru Forester's Headlights with Toothpaste

What items will you need for this:

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

Start by moistening your headlights slightly. Then, wipe them down with a rag, keeping them damp. It's recommended to use a toothpaste with whitening or plaque removal properties.

Apply a few drops of toothpaste onto a rag and, using circular motions, spread it across the surface of the headlight. Allow it to sit for a bit.

Now, rinse the toothpaste off your Subaru Forester's headlight. Wipe everything dry to avoid leaving any stains or remnants of toothpaste.

Cleaning Subaru Forester's Headlights With Vinegar and Baking Soda

What items will you need for this:

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

Baking soda and vinegar are versatile tools for many cleaning tasks, including clearing up foggy headlights.

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Take a glass, basin, bowl, or other convenient container. Dilute the baking soda with vinegar in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio.

Moisten the Subaru Forester headlights with a wet rag. Clean your headlights with the prepared mixture. Finally, dry them thoroughly to prevent any residual stains.

Polishing Subaru Forester's Headlights with Plastic Polish

What items will you need for this:

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

Optional:

• Angle grinder;
• Polishing discs

Since Subaru Forester headlights are made of plastic, polishing them with a plastic polish can be effective. Wash the headlight, apply the product to a rag, and polish the headlight.

If you have an angle grinder and know how to use it, you could also employ it for this purpose. Choose the appropriate disc and proceed with care to avoid damaging the headlight.

Use Sandpaper to Clean Subaru Forester's Dull Headlights

What items will you need for this:

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

Cleaning Subaru Forester's headlights with sandpaper is a task better suited to seasoned vehicle owners, as it requires a gentle touch and patience to prevent deep scratches on the headlights.

ATTENTION! If you`re uncertain about your skill level, it would be better to skip this step to avoid inflicting unnecessary damage to the headlight plastic.

Sandpaper is employed here to address the situation when the headlight's external surface is oxidized, and there is potential to restore it by removing the damaged layer.

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Before using the sandpaper, it is recommended to wash all the contaminants off the headlight. To protect the body paint from accidental damage during the polishing process, tape off the area surrounding the headlight.

If possible, remove the headlight from the Subaru Forester - this will make it easier to polish every angle without the worry of damaging the body paint.

Prepare your sandpaper. Depending on the degree of headlight wear, you should start with a 1500 or 2000 grain. If the headlight is quite dull, start with 1500 grain; if it's less so, start with 2000 grain.

IMPORTANT! Rinse the sandpaper before applying it to the Subaru Forester headlight. Wipe all surfaces and corners of the headlight thoroughly. It's essential to maintain a consistent direction while wiping: move your hand in horizontal sweeps from left to right or vice versa for no more than 4 minutes per headlight.

Repeat this procedure for the second headlight. Then, switch to a 3000 grain sandpaper and wet it, using vertical strokes to gently wipe all surfaces and corners of the headlight (from top to bottom; no more than 4 minutes per headlight).

Now, rinse off any remaining abrasive and everything that's been sanded from the headlights with water. After that, your headlights should appear more transparent and clear.

However, following this procedure, it's necessary to restore the abraded layer of the headlight. Here are three ways to do this:

Polish - apply a small amount to a rag and gently wipe across the headlight;

Silicon spray - apply an even layer to the headlight;

Transparent varnish - apply a thin, even layer to the headlight surface.

Use a Headlight Restorer

What items will you need for this:

• Headlight restorer;
• Rag(s)

You can pick up a complete Subaru Forester headlight restoration kit at your local auto parts store or supermarket. Typically, it's a chemical solution provided in a kit with all the necessary rags and abrasives.

In most scenarios, you only need to apply a small amount of the headlight restorer to your clean headlight, give it a bit of elbow grease, and let it work its magic. Then, wash it all off and marvel at your rejuvenated, crystal clear headlights.

When purchasing a headlight restorer for your Subaru Forester headlights, make sure to read and follow the instructions carefully.

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Entrust Your Subaru Forester to Professionals

What items will you need for this: A few extra bucks.

The most reliable method is to leave the task of Subaru Forester headlight restoration to the pros who truly know their stuff. There are many services out there that offer professional Subaru Forester headlight polishing. Yes, it may be a tad pricey, but the result is assured - they can bring even the most sorry-looking headlights back to life.

Consider Replacing the Headlight Assembly

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

Over time, the Subaru Forester headlights might degrade to such an extent that none of the measures mentioned above will prove effective.

Moreover, other signs of wear may manifest on the headlights, like cracks, chips, scorched areas (if the bulbs are incorrectly inserted or overheat, thereby melting the headlight from within), and a burnt-out or damaged reflector or lens.

In such cases, it might be best to forego repairs and opt for replacing the entire Subaru Forester headlight with a new one. There are numerous options available on the market, so you'll have no trouble finding a suitable one that fulfills all your requirements.

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Other Issues That Can Crop Up with Forester's Headlights

Headlight fogging

Condensation can form inside the Subaru Forester headlight itself, which also leads to fogging of the headlight, compromising the light's visibility. This occurs due to damage to the headlight's seal - water simply seeps into the formed gap or gaps.

Over time, the water evaporates, and fog is formed. To rectify this issue, you need to remove the headlight from the Forester, meticulously disassemble its housing, locate the spot that's causing the water ingress, and mend it.

Burnt headlight

Another factor contributing to the dimming of Subaru Forester headlights can be the bulb itself. Incorrect placement of the bulb or its overheating during operation can cause the plastic to begin to melt. As a result, the aforementioned unpleasant consequences occur.

The remedy to this problem is to replace the glass/plastic on the headlight or switch out the bulb with one that generates less heat or boasts a superior cooling system.

Maybe something is amiss with your Subaru Forester's headlight bulbs

If the headlights are clean, not dim, and devoid of damage or signs of wear, yet the illumination is still subpar, then the problem likely lies in the bulbs.

Subaru Forester headlight bulbs might wear out over time, so dim light could be one of the symptoms. The solution here is to replace old or worn-out bulbs with fresh ones or contemplate the installation of brighter headlight bulbs.
 

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How to Protect Your Subaru Forester's Headlights?

Dim headlights not only mar the Subaru Forester's appearance but can also significantly impact nighttime driving. Due to foggy plastic, the focused light is scattered on cloudy spots, which diminishes road visibility.

To prevent Forester's headlights from becoming dull, dim, or yellowish, you can do the following:

• Regular headlight cleaning: Periodically clean your headlights so they won't lose their fresh and transparent look. Use special tools and chemicals, or delegate this task to seasoned professionals.
• Parking in a shaded area: The direct hot sun is often the culprit when your plastic headlights shift from white to yellow. UV rays penetrate the headlight plastic and deteriorate its structure. Park your beloved Subaru Forester in a shaded area or a garage.

To Wrap Everything Up

Clear and pristine Subaru Forester headlights afford you efficient and far-reaching road visibility in any conditions. When you notice that your headlights are losing their clarity, it's crucial to address the issue posthaste.

Employing appropriate methods and techniques for Forester headlight cleaning will aid in restoring their usual transparency and clarity and enhance your driving experience.

If you're unsure that you can clean your Subaru Forester's headlights on your own, it's advisable to leave this task to the professionals. Yes, it does cost a bit, but you'll be furnished with the confidence that the headlight cleaning-restoring job will be done as it should be.