How to Clean the Headlights of a E320 Mercedes

The headlights on a Mercedes E320 are clear plastic and will start to become cloudy and dimmer over time, resulting in less illumination for driving at night. Headlights are often an overlooked safety feature on vehicles. Properly cleaning your headlights can give better night time visibility and safer driving.

Things You'll Need

  • Masking tape
  • 1000-grit wet/dry sandpaper
  • Polishing compound
  • Cloth
  • Apply masking tape on the immediate surrounding areas of the headlights. Clean the headlights with soap and water to remove all abrasive dirt. Dry and repeat for good measure. It's important that you do not leave any abrasive dirt or grime on the headlights because left-over dirt can leave scratches when you sand the headlights.

  • Sand the surface of the headlight using 1000-grit wet/dry sand paper. Popular Mechanics suggests, "Keep the surface completely wet while you do this. Use the palm of your hand to conform to the curved surface of the lens. Sand in one direction."

  • Polish the surface of the headlights using the compound and cloth, this will remove the remaining cloudiness and haze from your headlights making them clearer and ready for night driving.