Just reading up on the octavia manual before my car arrives. One thing that I noticed is the phrase "never wipe the headlights to dry". Why shouldn't you do this? Surely if you leave the headlights wet there will be water marks on them?

Because they are plastic and you will scratch them

So I can use a microfibre to do it. That should be ok?

I wash as normal and microfibre off while damp, five months down the line are still like new.

Yes..Always JUST use a MF on any part of your car

Just reading up on the octavia manual before my car arrives. One thing that I noticed is the phrase "never wipe the headlights to dry". Why shouldn't you do this? Surely if you leave the headlights wet there will be water marks on them?

I've a feeling it's another poor translation and it's meant to be "never wipe the headlights when dry", because you'll scratch them.

With regard to cleaning the headlight lenses, the manual also states "Do not use any harsh cleaning products or chemical solvents to clean the headlights, as this could damage the headlight lenses". So far (after 11 months), I have only used the car shampoo that I use when I'm washing the car and, after hosing off, dry with a microfibre. But I think I need something more to properly remove road grime, insects, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cleaning product which would be safe to use on the headlight lenses?

Some chemicals will strip the UV protection from the plastic headlights, result they will go cloudy faster so you need to be careful which products to pick.

With regard to cleaning the headlight lenses, the manual also states "Do not use any harsh cleaning products or chemical solvents to clean the headlights, as this could damage the headlight lenses". So far (after 11 months), I have only used the car shampoo that I use when I'm washing the car and, after hosing off, dry with a microfibre. But I think I need something more to properly remove road grime, insects, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cleaning product which would be safe to use on the headlight lenses?

K7 KARCHER on full 160psi power 

Some chemicals will strip the UV protection from the plastic headlights, result they will go cloudy faster so you need to be careful which products to pick.

Yes - that's my concern. My understanding is that the lenses have some sort of lacquer coating and that even slightly abrasive cleaners need to be avoided. I'd just like to know which cleaners would be OK.

Yes - that's my concern. My understanding is that the lenses have some sort of lacquer coating and that even slightly abrasive cleaners need to be avoided. I'd just like to know which cleaners would be OK.

They have clearcoat on then which is very similar to that used on the body. It's provides UV and scratch protection and should be treated like any other painted surface of the car.

Try soaking a towel with warm water, draping it over the headlights so it touches the full surface, leave it for 30 mins, then wash normally. It should soften the bugs and grime.

Or a citrus pre cleaner.

Autoglym Fast Glass claims to be OK for Perspex, acrylic and plastic (as well as glass, of course) and also claims to be free from abrasives. Has anyone tried this on their Octavia III headlight lenses?

An update on headlight cleaning in case anyone is interested: I contacted Autoglym and they confirmed that Fast Glass would be fine for cleaning the headlight lenses. So I gave it a try today, and I must say that Fast Glass seems to have done a pretty good job - no "elbow grease" required and the headlight lenses look so much better.

K7 Karcher has no problems either

What about Coke? It does wonders on the windscreen removing bugs.

What about Coke? It does wonders on the windscreen removing bugs.

That's an expensive product for cleaning headlights isn't it?

That's an expensive product for cleaning headlights isn't it?

As in the soft drink, not the drug :p

With regard to cleaning the headlight lenses, the manual also states "Do not use any harsh cleaning products or chemical solvents to clean the headlights, as this could damage the headlight lenses". So far (after 11 months), I have only used the car shampoo that I use when I'm washing the car and, after hosing off, dry with a microfibre. But I think I need something more to properly remove road grime, insects, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cleaning product which would be safe to use on the headlight lenses?

The grooved sponges that you can get from Halfords and other car shops have a special backing on one side, which removes those hard to get at bits....

What about Coke? It does wonders on the windscreen removing bugs.

With the amount of sugars and acids it contains I would not recommend this product for cleaning cars. It is not suitable for human consumption either

With the amount of sugars and acids it contains I would not recommend this product for cleaning cars. It is not suitable for human consumption either

Its the acids that makes it so great for removing bugs. Even the newspapers recomends it as a substitute for expencive cleaningagents.

Its the acids that makes it so great for removing bugs. Even the newspapers recomends it as a substitute for expencive cleaningagents.

Phosphoric acid is an effective rust remover but I would still not use it on my car for cleaning.

Journalists rate somewhere between politicians and car salesmen for trustworthiness. I read that in a newspaper too.

I read online a while ago and tried it on a BMW I had with badly coated plastic headlight lenses, that tooth paste works. And it did. PS. Don't use YOUR tooth brush.

Phosphoric acid is an effective rust remover but I would still not use it on my car for cleaning.

Journalists rate somewhere between politicians and car salesmen for trustworthiness. I read that in a newspaper too.

I cant say I trust them no. But it works. But the long term effect, who lnows? Ive just done it on older cars.