If you’ve ever owned solar lights, then you know the problem of yellow oxidation. This is when the plastic on the light starts to turn a yellowish-brown color, and it’s not attractive at all. The good news is that you can fix this problem using a homemade oxidation-removal solution.
If you follow these steps, your solar lights should look good as new!
Tools and Materials Needed
- Bucket or container large enough to submerge the light in
- Dishwashing soap
- White vinegar
- Water
- Scrub brush or toothbrush
- Soft cloths
- Qtips (optional)
- Sunshine (optional)
Step by Step Guide to Cleaning Yellowed Solar Lights
Step One: Fill Your Bucket
Fill your bucket or container with warm water and add a couple of drops of dishwashing soap. Swirl the solution around until it’s sudsy.
Step Two: Add White Vinegar to The Solution
Add white vinegar to the solution until it’s about halfway full. Again, swirl the mixture around until everything is combined.
Step Three: Wipe the Solar Light
Wipe the solar light with the soapy water/vinegar solution. The solution will eat away at the oxidation, breaking it down and allowing you to wipe most of it off. Take extra care to avoid getting water inside the lights.
Step Four: Use a Scrub Brush
Use a scrub brush or toothbrush to clean the light, making sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies. Be careful not to damage the light in any way.
Step Five: Dry
Pat the solar light dry with a soft cloth. If any stubborn areas still need cleaning, use a Q-tip dipped in a vinegar solution.
Step Six: Use as Normal!
Use your solar light as normal after cleaning it. It should look just like new again!
Solar Lights You Can Clean Using this Method
This cleaning technique may be used on a wide range of solar lights, including:
- Solar Deck Lights: Deck lights are exposed to the elements, and they can become dirty or stained as a result. If your deck lights have yellowed out, then cleaning them will bring their color right back.
- Solar Pathway Lights: Pathway lights are also exposed to the elements, which can cause them to yellow over time. Cleaning them with this method will restore their original luster.
- Solar Spot Lights: Spot lights are a great way to light up an area, and if they’ve become yellowed over time, you can clean them using this guide.
- Solar Pool Lights: Pool lights are completely submerged in water, so if they’ve become yellowed over time, cleaning them with this method will restore them to their original color.
- Solar Fence Lights: Fence lights are completely exposed, meaning they can easily become dirty or yellowed over time. Cleaning them with this guide will bring their color back to life.
- Solar Christmas Lights: Christmas lights are a great way to decorate your home, but if they’ve become stained or yellowed over time, you can clean them with this guide.
- Solar Disk Lights: Disk lights are a unique type of solar light that can be used in a variety of ways. If they’ve become yellowed over time, cleaning them with this guide will bring their color back to life.
- Solar Dock Lights: Dock lights are installed on docks to make them more visible. If your dock lights have become stained or yellowed, cleaning them with this method will bring their color right back.
- Solar Landscape Lights: Landscape lights are installed in yards to highlight certain areas or features, and if they have become yellowed over time, cleaning them with this guide will restore their color.
- Solar Porch Lights: Porch lights are a great way to light up your front porch, and if they’ve become yellowed over time, cleaning them with this guide will bring their color back to life.
- Solar Driveway Lights: Driveway lights are installed alongside driveways to make them more visible, especially at night. If your driveway lights have become stained or yellowed over time, cleaning them with this method will restore their color.
- Solar Post Cap Lights: Post cap lights are installed on top of posts to provide extra light. If your post cap lights have become stained or yellowed over time, cleaning them with this guide will restore their color.
- Solar Step Lights: Step lights are installed on steps to provide extra light and safety. Cleaning your step lights with this technique will restore their color if they’ve deteriorated or gotten yellowed over time.
Summing Up
Yellowed plastic solar light covers are one of the most fixable cosmetic problems in the garden. UV exposure oxidizes the plastic surface over time, creating a cloudy yellow film that dims the light output and looks tired. Headlight restoration products, plastic polish, or a simple baking soda and toothpaste paste can restore clarity in most cases. For badly degraded plastic, a coat of UV-protective clear coat after polishing slows further yellowing significantly and extends the time before you need to restore them again.
If you’re also thinking about solar panels for your home, call (855) 427-0058 for a free quote — it takes just a few minutes to find out what installation would cost and save you in your area.
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