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Can you clean your foggy headlights with brake cleaner?

While brake cleaner might seem like an effective way to remove fog from headlights due to its cleaning properties, it is not recommended for this purpose. Here's why:

1. Harsh Chemicals: Brake cleaner contains harsh solvents and chemicals that can be abrasive to the plastic lens of your headlights. These solvents can cause damage to the coating and protective layers of the headlight lens, leading to discoloration, cracking, or fogging.

2. Limited Effectiveness: Brake cleaner might not be as effective as specific headlight cleaning products in removing fog and restoring clarity. Headlight cleaning kits and solutions are designed to safely remove dirt, grime, and oxidation that contributes to fogging, while brake cleaner may not address the root causes of the problem.

3. Safety Concerns: Brake cleaner is highly flammable and can release toxic fumes. It should only be used in well-ventilated areas, and contact with skin or eyes should be avoided. Using brake cleaner near the headlights may pose safety risks and should be done cautiously.

4. Alternative Solutions: There are safer and more effective methods for cleaning foggy headlights. These include using specialized headlight restoration kits, toothpaste and baking soda solutions, or commercial headlight cleaning products designed specifically for this purpose. These methods can effectively remove fog and restore the clarity of your headlights without causing damage to the lens.