Rejuvenating solar garden lights — with nail polish!
Posted: April 19, 2012 Filed under: DIY, Explorations, That Totally Worked | Tags: blinky, DIY, fix, garden, glow, glowy, LED, LEDs, light, nail polish, repair, solar, solar cell, solar cells, yard 238 CommentsSolar LED garden lights are everywhere these days, and by ‘everywhere’ I mean ‘in our yard.’ We’ve had some for a few years now, and simply through exposure to the elements, the plastic that covers the solar cells becomes so opaque that only a small amount of light gets to them any more. With the solar cells deprived of even that meager light that we get in Massachusetts in the winter, the solar cells don’t recharge the battery, the battery doesn’t power the LED, the LED doesn’t light up, and our yard has a serious bling deficiency. Eleanor and I took our solar garden lights inside to see if we could make them bright again somehow.
My first thought when confronting the frosted-over plastic was to try to ‘polish’ it with a fine-grit sandpaper. I had 400-grit handy and tried it on one cell, the bottom one in this picture. The top shows how weathered the cells were to start.
The sanding helped a little. Then I rinsed the sanded plastic dust off with water in the sink, and while it was wet it looked great, but as it dried it became frosted and opaque again. Thinking that perhaps we could use a mild plastic solvent to ‘polish’ the rough surface, I dabbed the solar cells with acetone, but again, as soon as it dried, the surface went from clear to cloudy again. “We need some way to keep it ‘looking wet’ even when it’s dry,” I mused. Eleanor got a wide-eyed LIGHTBULB! look in her eyes, and grabbed a bottle of clear nail polish! She applied a few test swatches.
The nail polish made the weathered old solar cells crystal clear again! I held the lights while Eleanor applied an even coat of nail polish to all the solar cells. It really didn’t matter whether the cells had been sanded or not, so we didn’t bother.
A few minutes later, the polish was dry, and we planted the lights outside again. You can see how completely clear the solar cells are. Our only concern was that the nail polish might block the UV light that provides a good portion of the solar energy to the cells.
We waited for twilight to fall, and when we checked the lights: success!
Even though it was mid-February the solar cells were now getting enough light to make the LEDs glow brightly! The solar cell rejuvenation project was a total success, and once we figured out how to make the cells ‘clear’ again, it was a quick and easy.
So what did we learn? We learned that ‘frosted’ plastic reflects precious light away from the solar cells; clean, clear solar cells can capture much more light. Clear nail polish is perfect for rejuvenating plastic-covered solar cells that have become weathered and dull. Some of the solar garden lights they sell have glass covers, and we speculated that they probably (1) are much more resistant to weathering, and (2) probably should be ‘cleaned’ differently from the plastic ones. Sometimes you need to try one thing to find out what you need to try next. Sometimes restating the problem out loud to someone else can give them new ideas. During the dim, dark Massachusetts winter, having bright, cheery little lights in the yard is great.
blog.kriegsman.org 
Just fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Oh my gosh! When we got ours the first thing I did was remove that little flimsy piece of plastic! Was I not supposed to? As they haven’t been very vibrant at all.
Debra. they all come with a little plastic tab to pull to activate the batteries. Other than that, nothing else should be taken off.
Do remove the plastic film. I live in Arizona and did not take it off the 1st ones I got. The plastic film will fuse to the solar collector and it will become opaque very quickly. A nightmare to remove once fused.
I polished mine that no longer worked, and they still don’t work.
You can replace the batteries also.
The replacement batteries are very expensive, 10 bucks for 4 at wal-mart. Cheaper to buy new lights.
You can use regular batteries in these garden lights – I do it all the time now!! Much cheaper than the ones they say to use.
Good to know!
Batteries are inexpensive through Amazon.
You can take the batteries out and recharge them. You use a regular battery charger for triple A batteries.
okay I worked for a cab company and the mechanic fixed the headlights in a like manner. very fine grit wet sandpaper…sand them…then at the local home store or auto parts store, get some clear coat spray auto engine paint (holds up to weather and heat) clean and dry after using the sandpaper and then spray with the clear engine coat…you light and solar lights will look like new and will last for a couple of years.
Bravo, I had tentatively reached that conclusion from the article, but had intended to use clear nail polish. Your description has filled out my idea and I intend to put it to practical (experimental) use in the very near future.
Also regular Crest toothpaste does the SAME thing, except no sanding needed! You just use a damp cloth, use it to rub Crest REGULAR toothpaste on headlight cover and wipe it is well. Then rinse it off completely & dry….Voila!! Nice clean and bright as new headlights!
doesnt work in climates that freeze when left out for winter. now i have a dry cracked mess to clean off and try something else.like auto spray for outdoors.
Great tip for Outdoor Solar Lights fans!!! I will post your link to my article about Solar Powered Lights http://www.squidoo.com/funny-solar-lights-for-garden-or-patio I hope is no problem, I want only to help 🙂
Thanks! I’m a big solar light fan myself, and I’m glad this is useful to others!
I had no idea! Thanks one and all – time to check mine out again!
Link doesn’t work, sorry.
rather genius I’d say. thanks!
What a great tip! Can’t wait to share the tip with my friends.
Great idea, can’t wait to try it.
OMG! Searching for the polish now, thrown so many away!
I will be trying this one the ones that I haven’t thrown away… just to see if they will charge again… Great tip !!
How does the polish hold up to the weather over time? Did it cloud up quickly or not?
Phil- The nail polish held up for at least one season before it started clouding over. I’ll let you know what we do next, and what happens, whether it’s a second coat of nail polish, or something else. Thanks for asking!
Thanks. I’ve got 12 deck lights that need rejuvenating. I like the idea of the nail polish, but if it can’t be done more than once, because the cloudy polish cant be rejuvenated, I’ll have to find another way. Perhaps using car headlight restorer would work.
I’ll give it a try and let you know.
To Phil… I’ve read that car headlights can be rejuvenated by using toothpaste on the. I haven’t tried it yet, but I wonder if this would also work on this part of the solar light. If anyone tries it, please post how it works.
to do this more than once I would suggest removing the old nail polish with NON acetone nail polish remover, then re applying new polish. NON acetone remover shouldn’t increase the cloudiness of the solar cover
i know it sounds funny but i have used gojo hand cleaner it puts the patrolium back into the plastic i use it on my 1977 harley speedo and rpm guage the clear plastic dullys after time gojo rejuvenates them so i can see…..
Sounds great. Maybe when the nail polish becomes cloudy try removing it with nail polish remover and re-coating with the cleat polish again. Just a thought.
I wonder if this would work on the solar lights like it does on headlights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iUNiaYrzFQ
I have not tried this, but the headlight restorer should work fine and could be done again as needed
How about removing the old polish with nail polish remover and then reapplying? Worth a try 🙂
for redoing the solar cells I sand the plastic using 2000 grit wet sanding when rinsed and dry paint with clear polish or mask of the cell and spry it with clear coat spry works for me
Thanks to you and Eleanor!
you have saved my yard from going dark. i keep buying new and some of those are expensive
.. I am for sure using this fantastic idea thanks for sharing it with us…
Thanks so much for the idea…I really cannot tell you how many I have thrown away that could have been saved.
I am hoping I have not thrown out my lights….I am excited to give this tip a try…
The lights are in the shed….The shed is covered in snow !!!….IT IS WINTER !! .. Ha Ha…
Will wait until SPRING ??? to find the lights…
Oh love this! I have bought so many solar lights like this because at night I can still imagine being in the garden! 🙂
what about toothpaste like they use to restore car headlights. just rub on and wipr off
I’ve tried that, and it doesn’t work. 😦
You rub it on & wipe it off. Because toothpaste has some grit to it, it works like a very light sandpaper/abrasive. You have to use regular toothpaste, though. It can’t be gel & it can’t have whitener or any of that other fancy stuff in it. Just plain old regular toothpaste. It worked on my headlights. 🙂
My tire dealer shined up my headlights (yesterday) using Repel Mosquito Spray, spray on and rub off. Wonder if it will work on the solar lights too? Am going to try both ideas!
thank you going to try this soon,,
thanks for the idea, i’m going to try this as well!!
I have used toothpaste to clean the plastic on the solar lights and it works great! I don’t have to put nail polish on to keep them shiny.
When you use toothpaste it has to be old day brands. Not this new paste with all these toxins in them it wont work like the old plain type they still have it. The Nail Polish (clear kind) works great.
Seems like good ol’ baking soda would do the trick then.
Great tip.
Just to add a thought, car rubbing compound will do it all in one swipe.This will also work well on car headlights that are showing that “weathered”
turtle wax polish compound works but rubbing compound might be better.
Hello, I just stumbled across this on Pinterest, and thought it was a brilliant idea. Since it hasn’t been addressed though (since i’m WAY too into nails than should be shared lol) I thought I’d give some friendly advice on the polish. Most inexpensive (i.e. under $5) clear polishes, those found at say Wal-mart or a drug store, would be your best bet. This is because cheaper polishes tend to absorb UV. Higher end brands or salon brands reflect UV, and if the polish you find does this it will usually say somewhere about UV on the bottle or box. For instance, the brands I use are about $8 a bottle because of this. They do this so the polish doesn’t yellow with exposure to UV, which if you’ve ever had fake nails, you’d know what I mean, since they tend to be kept longer than polished real nails. As for the clouded after the season, my suggestion would be to just remove the polish with nail polish remover and reapply. I’m sure it’ll work again, or it should. All in all it’s a pretty inexpensive solution, even if you have to reapply.
Kristen, I understand being WAY too into nails….LOL. Wore them since the early 80s until one year ago….quite the change. But, yes, you are right about the “better” polishes reflecting the UV rays and that’s why we pay more for it….no yellowing. I just pulled up 8 of my yard lights to clean and see if I could decide why they aren’t burning or aren’t burning much. Thought I’d go by new batteries (which won’t be cheap, I’m sure)…but I will try this tip first. And yes, if you are going to remove it, I think non-acetone would be the one to use.
IKEA sells solar batteries excellent price.
WD-40 works better.
I tired that, not. I figured WD-40 would work, it does everything else, but didn’t work for me.
No it doesn’t, as a matter of fact, it dosent really work at all. Those that make a suggestion thaf they didn’t try themselves should be sure to mention that.
400 grit sandpaper is way too rough to buff out plastic. You need 800 then 1600 wet paper to smooth it. Then use a car product like a good wax that is intended for out door use.
Nail polish or varnish of any kind will make it look fine short term but was not designed to stay clear in direct sunlight so it will become opaque and it’s surface will roughen. The end result will be in a few years more plastic that is blocking light.
Thank you, we have the same kind.
Awsome, I’m fixing mine right now. Thanks
sounds a great idea..I can buy solar lights for my garden for $2 to $5. depending on design etc. i had about 12 here & there in my yard & they looked great…. they changed color as well. reds greens blues etc etc BUT after a few months they went dull then finally died. i found out that they had a battery, a recharge battery was needed to recharge them. the battery in the purchased ones were just a normal battery so of course they died. NOW, to purchase a recharge battery is way way way more expensive then replacing the solar light.. so hence I either dont replace my solar lights OR i continue to purchase a new solar light once another one has died..
I buy rechargeable batteries on ebay cheap…………..
NiCad batteries can be found pretty cheap. Those are the best for this application.
use regular AA batteries like I do …don’t bother with rechargeables….they still work!
But they won’t recharge and will only last a shortbtime
The initial cost of rechargeable batteries is greater than conventional batteries but the overall cost of rechargeable batteries is considerately less over time. Also rechargeable batteries are recyclable and do less harm to our environment.
I have found them to be less expensive at Harbor Fright or from several sellers on E-Bay and are available in all of the common sizes (AAA, AA, C. D, and 9volt) as well as some special sizes
Toothpaste scrub followed by windex works better. I replace the batteries also because my solar lights are$15 each . They usually last 1-2 years.
[…] as bright as they used to be, try rejuvenating them with sand paper and nail polish! Check out this blog for the step-by-step […]
THANK YOU!!! This just saved one of my favorite lawn decorations… The lighthouse my wife bought for me when we first met 6 years ago!
[…] Rejuvenating Solar Garden Lights That No Longer Charge […]
I clean mine off with “Magic Erasers”.. they work great and just clean them when they quit lighting up. Mine usually last a whole season or two before I have to do it again.
what are magic erasers?
I’m sorry I didn’t know I had a question. Around here in Wisconsin you can buy them in quite a few stores. ( Grocery stores, Menards)On the box cover it says Mr. Clean Magic ERASER, which are household cleaning pads. They have different ones to pick from. I like the ones that have a blue layer on top of a white pad the best. It seems to make them a little stronger. All you do is add a little water and rub a little. I also use these to clean the spider marks off of my house and then hose the area down.
You can also pick up “erasers” at Dollar Tree Stores, two to a box for $1.
Just did magic eraser on 2 of them and nail polish on 1. Thank you all for the advice.
You can clean solar landscape panels with 1/4 cup or vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap, and two cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the panel and let the vinegar solution soak in for a few minutes before wiping with a sponge or soft scrubber and then rinse and dry. You might have to repeat the procces for heavily soiled panels but it does take a lot of the ” white” away..
I have a lot of solar lights as well… when mine stopped lighting up, I took them in the house and cleaned the solar panels with a clean cloth, changed the batteries.. Then I took some wide clear Packaging tape and put a strip over the Solar panel… I did it that months ago and they are shinning Bright as ever… I also have a Solar class ball / wind chime that changes color.. It feel apart after a few years… I replace the string that holds the chimes with heavy gage fishing line and also installed a new battery… I did that months ago also… Still shinning bright as ever… I love my outdoor Solar walk way lights.. Also I bought 5 pathway solar lights for $3, at a yard sale.. They didn’t work… So I did the same thing to them also.. I got all but one working ..
Could you try using “nail polish remover” to take off “old” polish and re-new again. .? Just a thought
Amazing, I also have those solar spotlights with solar panels black and almost no light in the nighttime, will definitely try this!
Cool idea about the nail polisher, like it!
I put some transparant (packaging) tape on the panels, so if the tape gets dirty I just replace it with new ones.
I tried this and it didn’t work. Tried the WD 40 and it didn’t work either.
Batteries might be dead.
Buy a small amount of exterior grade water based polyurethane and coat the panels.
It will last 3 or 4 seasons.
Spar Varnish.
Yes. Works, but don’t buy the kind with UV protection.
Smart girl! I’m on my way with the clear nail polish now. Thanks!
Oh Yes. Definately going to try this. Thank You
Do the solor lights need direct sun to work? I put 8 solor lights up during the summer, when there was direct sunlight… We have lots of trees and bushes and this time of year several of them are not getting direct sunlight due to the angle of the sun from dawn to dusk. Should they charge in non direct sun?
Solar lights are built with an advanced technology in use, such as the Light Emitting Diode tech. Hence, even minimal maintenance assures long time quality service from these alternative fixtures. And with your ingenious “nail polish” technique, it has added more years to your solar garden lights. They are sure to deliver the brightest illumination that’s expected of them.
Thank you so much for this tip. I have ‘polished’ my solar light panels. Fingers crossed.
I wonder if clear Spar Varnish would work and it’s made for outdoors.
Thanks! I’m going to do mine today!
[…] Source […]
What’s up, yup this piece of writing is actually nice and
I have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.
[…] https://blog.kriegsman.org/2012/04/19/rejuvenating-solar-garden-lights-with-nail-polish/ […]
There is something called Wenol silver polish,Just rub some one the area in question and that should work too!
I wonder if this would work on head lights as well I have tried everything from sand paper to brake fluid and tooth paste I might just give it a try anyways what’s the chances
I have used toothpaste on my headlights…..Works great. Not gel just white.. Sparkles like there new… REALLY
…and may prevent cavities too
Try Wenol silver polish! It works like a charm!
Love the idea. Will try it as soon as I can. My husband said “I guess we will have to through them away.” I will certainly surprise him.
[…] Repair Non-Charging Solar Lights […]
I tried it on mine and they are brighter than before. Thanks. By the way, the plastic was old and discolored so I gave them a good paint and they look brand new!!
What did you try that made it brighter than before?
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
I wonder if clear coating like in a spray paint can I think it is Rustoleum brand would work?? I think you spray it on stuff to give it a glossy finish. I used it out at the cemetery on old figurines and flowers but I bet it would work on the solar lights too! Going to try it, I have cloudy ones I was about to throw away! Going to try clear polish too!
That’s exactly what I was thinking! Much quicker than clear nail polish and lasts longer too.
Amie,
Wonder if the Rustoleum has UV protection in the formula?
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about ithere. […]
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about ithere. […]
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
Excellent. Thanks to all who shared their wisdom.
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about ithere. […]
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
[…] 12 – Colocar verniz das unhas transparente nas células fotovoltaicas dos candeeiros solares para rejuvenescer as luzes (Lê mais aqui: blog.kriegsman.org) […]
Wow for that, just kept buying new ones so must try this. Thank You
I recharge the batteries about once a season in a battery charger, clean the solar panel and coat with clear automotive spray from auto zone which is uv resistant.
Reblogged this on Modern Mountain Woman and commented:
I ran across this and am going to try it. Thought I would share.
Should we paint them with nail polish when we first buy them?????
That is a great idea! That just may work! I’ll give it a try!
What a helpful article. Thank you!
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Try the same product they put in headlights on your car to restore.
Shoot! I thought our batteries were dead and threw them out!
Change the rechargeable battery inside. They have a life n’ need to be changed every other year.
Well, this is interesting. I was just ready to throw away my solar lights. I will try the toothpaste & then the nail polish
Reblogged this on Living The Simple Life.
Thanks for this info! Glad I kept the ones that don’t work.
I wonder if this might also work for a solar powered water fountain !!??
I am confused. Do you apply the polish on the outside of the plastic cover, or somewhere on the inside of the light itself? If you polish the frosty part of the plastic, you may not see it, but it will still be there if it can’t be removed, or am I perceiving this wrong?
Lesia, you are coating the clear part of the solar panel. The part where the sun needs to reach to charge the batteries. It usually has what look kinda like wires under clear plastic when they are new. They are different on each light but basically look the same for each item that is solar operated. Sometimes you need to take the batteries out to check them also. If they are leaking you will need to get new ones and clean the contact areas. I use a regular pencil eraser to clean them well and then put the good batteries in, or put new ones in.
wouldn’t clear varnish or acrylic paint paint do the same thing?….
Also…so glad i came across this because just yesterday i purchased some solar butterflies, dragonflies & hummingbirds…
[…] Rejuvenating solar garden lights — with nail polish! | blog.kriegsman.org. […]
i tried the clear nail polish but it didnt work maybe i need to do something else
I read this on this site and I tried it. I could not believe how great it worked. After about a week I got a yellow coating on my solar panel and the lights did not get very bright. I put more (clear) nail polish on, it did take the yellow away for a few days and then it did come back. Now I have to try nail polish remover to see if I can get the yellow off. I don’t think I will be doing this again.
I am so going to try this! But does anyone know why some solar lights after time come on in daylight and then NOT after dark???
I’m wondering if the stuff they use to defog headlights might work.
Tried it ..didn’t work. Any other bright ideas?
lovely idea will try it,but, can anyone help with water in headlamps of vw beetle garden light,
cant seem to remove them to drain or change lamps.
thanks
I had a Chrysler convertible that did that and I had to remove the tail light and apply some duck tape and then drill a hole for the water to drain. I hope you are talking about headlights cause it says VW beetle garden light. ???? I guess that won’t work if they are glass. Of course my tail lights were not glass. Good luck!!
Take your batteries out and put them on a charger for a day, makes a world of difference too! Some of my lights are 5-6 years old and were not working at all, so I pulled all 75 of my lights cleaned them all up charged them all on the charger and waa laa they all are working wonderfully!
thanks for adding info and not just a comment on the ‘idea’ of using nail polish. Sheesh, people, just comment when you really have something to add-we’re trying to find out if it works, not if you think it will work.
Will definitely advise my customers to follow your tips. Thanks
I used toothpaste, then Magic Eraser then Rain-x windshield protectant. It took about 5 minutes and they are like new. I also changed the batteries.
Lighter Fluid may help. It will take off tags, labels and does not affect the plastic .. Try on a small area first ..
I saw somewhere for foggy headlights, (they are plastic) you can use bug spray with deet. Makes them clear again.
Another option. Purchase one of the kits you can use to rejuvenate you headlights. Works like magic.
Should I put the garden solar lights insude for the winter
Well I’m excited. I have several solar decorations that won’t work anymore 🙂
I think that the glass ones that get dull might benefit from either vinegar/water rinse or the stuff you buy to rejuvenate headlight covers on cars.
We use deet (yes, the bug spray) to clean our fuzzy headlights on the cars. I will have to try on the solar panels now!
This works for a while but with ours the sun eventually (in a few months) turned the nailpolish yellow and milky.
I will have to try this great idea!! I’ve had to replace batteries also after I recharge them!
The liquid that is supposed to make yourm car headlights “look new again” works too.
What is the liquid that makes your car’s headlights look new again? I desperately need that! I read somewhere that any kind of bug repellent with DEET will work, but I’m afraid to try that!
I know it sounds crazy, but Backwoods Off will clean headlights might work on these!!: I’m going to try.
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
I love hear from smart people. That’s great idea use nail polish on solar cells. I’ll try your idea. It’s amuse. Thanks
I’m going to give this a try. In years past, I’ve tried replacing the batteries thinking that maybe they were completely worn out. Well, if you’ve ever tried that, you know that it’s not easy finding compatible batteries. They’re usually Chinese-made and not easy to find.
How about UV polish? Anyone who have tried? It’s stronger than regular polish… Probably don’t have to use your UV lamp either, just use natural daylight outside. Think I’ll give it a go! :o) Thanks for the tip!
I would not do that because rechargeable batteries use UV light to create the electricity. You will in effect defeat the whole process, lol.
I came to the same conclusion (nail varnish) for a different reason. In the UK where is is mainly wet, the main reason for cheap solar cell failure is water getting in and corroding everything. Seal edges with nail varnish when new but just edges. I diluted the nail varnish slightly with acetone to make it flow around edges. I must admit I had not thought about trying to clear up the plastic ones… I simply always buy those with glass.
Do you think this would work on weathered headlight covers on a car???
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
A BIG thank you for this remedy. I have 130 standard solar lights and 120 strands of solar rope lights. Some of the solar panels frosted over more quickly than others and 1/3 of them stopped working. Can’t wait to try this out!
Go to a Harley Motorcycle shop and get a bottle of plastic windshield scratch remover and a bottle of polish. Problem solved
If toothpaste can clean the film on headlights of a car, why wouldn’t it work on these lights? Think I’ll try it before I use the nail polish.
Try buying the rechargeable batteries at Harbor Freight, a lot cheaper.
Nail polish is a good idea…..with one caveat. It’s basically lacquer and is definitely not UV resistant. After it dries put on a good coat of automotive wax. You’ve all seen the cars with the embarrassing sun burn. Wax is supposed to be the sacrificial top coat. It isn’t a huge job. After all the cells aren’t that big. You walk around and wipe a small dab of “wax On”. Then come back around and “Wax Off”. Miyagi San would be so proud. Also remember that the batteries usually have a recharge cycle of about 800 to 1000 times. Consider each day 1 cycle, 365 days equals 2.19 years at 800 recharge cycles, 2.74 years at 1000. Beyond their life cycle they may charge for a short time but will fade quickly. Also I’m not sure about the accuracy of the claims that UV is the sole charging wave length. I’ve used a LED flashlight, a 60 watt incandescent, and fluorescent lights in the garage to see if the cell was charging and they all worked.
[…] Flickr: kriegsman Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more aboutit here. […]
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about ithere. […]
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about ithere. […]
This was a innovative article
and very interesting
Solar LED garden lights
are everywhere these days,
and by ‘everywhere’ I mean ‘in our yard.
cheap solar lights
cheap solar lights
Thank you for sharing this
Information.
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
I wil be going out for so clear polish
ASAP thanks for sharing
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
We used metal polishing compound (brasso or ZEP) and rubbed on, let dry, and buffed off. Worked like a charm. Then put clear polish on 🙂
I used nail polish remover with a towel and it removed all the cloudiness. Then I put clear nail polish over the top. Worked great and took no time at all!
Love the idea, definitely worth a try
So, do you think this would work with automobile plastic headlight lenses? Mine act like diffusers and are mostly useless at night…
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
I changed batteries where necessary and applied clear nail polish. Did not work.
That was a brilliant idea!! Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tip I have customers who ask me all the time if I know any tricks to get the lights brighter after they start to fade. Now I have an answer thanks so much.
PNSGIFTS.COM
[…] Rejuvenate Solar Garden Lights with Nail Polish […]
Thanks a lot, im from Lima Perú, and I have some solar panel garden light, I followed your recommendation and wowww same as new one!!!!!
I am going to have to try this!
I’m so excited to think there may be a chance that an older set of carriage style lights I love might be saved.
This is so simple yet genius!
I’ll let you know how it turns out for me.
Thanks
All these idea’s are wonderful. I just need a trick keeping my large dog from breaking my posts!
I’m going out now to try this, thanks for the tip.
That is awesome. I have had to through some out. Going g to try it. I’m a big solar light person. Thanks so much.
on the solar lights ;careful what type of clear coat you use probably better off an enamel base .laquer base may soften plastic or may dissolve it
This is an Awesome Idea .
I am surely going to try this .Thank You
You are Brilliant and a Money saver
Way to go…
[…] Rejuvenating solar garden lights […]
Awesome and economical, I love it ! Thanks a million! !!
Did not get to read all the comments.. but what about a acrylic spray? Matte VS Semi-gloss VS Gloss ??
Going to try this trick. Replaced all the batteries and they worked fine just would charge. Need to fix 22 of these. Hope it works.
Going to try it out
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[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
[…] Rejuvenating solar garden lights — with nail polish! […]
[…] Rejuvenating solar garden lights — with nail polish … – Rejuvenating solar garden lights — with nail polish! Posted: April 19, 2012 | Author: kriegsman | Filed under: DIY, Explorations, That Totally Worked | Tags: blinky … […]
I just tried this and will report back on whether it was a success for my plastic solar panel (on a garden lantern)
[…] https://blog.kriegsman.org/2012/04/19/rejuvenating-solar-garden-lights-with-nail-polish/ […]
ok this didn’t work for me but I just saw another pin about changing out the AA batteries that are in most solar lights…that is what gets recharged during the day. with new batteries and the clear polish I should be good to go
This does NOT work. The clear nail polish peels off after a couple months of hot sun. What I found works great is Krylon clear protective spray.
You are right! I tried nail polish and it looked great, but still did not work!
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
Boy everyone and his brother has an idea or tip….great read. I use the stuff that rejuvenates headlight. Got it as a give away at a auto show. You can pick it up at auto supply places too. Works very well, but I will try it in conjunction with the clear nail polish,and see if it lasts longer than one season.
Thank you sssoooooo much for your info. I have lots of solar lights in my yard. Will try your trick. Have a beautiful day and a lovely evening.
[…] Your solar lights will likely get weathered and cloudy over time. Read more about it here. […]
I have a solar lantern light fixture that takes 3 AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries. I just purchased a pack of 6 on eBay for $5.99 with Free Shipping.
As for the cloudy lens on the solar panel, and not wanting to mess with lacquer or finger nail polish, I thought I’d try wiping WD40 on it and it cleared up the lens quite well. I wiped the excess off with Kleenex and then applied some food grade Mineral Oil (for use on wooden ware, cutting boards, etc.) with a Q-Tip and it looks pretty clean, but not glossy as if using finger nail polish. Haven’t seen the results yet due to weather, but hoping it will be a cheap fix.
Does anyone know where I can order the round solar light packs that come with hanging solar lanterns, table solar lights and so on?
I bought a peacock solar light for my garden, and does not work, it said to take the stripped off,
but they won’t come off, there no tap to take them off, and there no light, and suggest how to get the strips off?
How awesome is that? Seriously? Clear nail polish made it new again? 😃 I would have thought the polish would have ruined it similarly to how polish remover damages plastic.
[…] Rejuvenating Solar Lights […]
Will the clear nail polish become opaque in time?
[…] Rejuvenating solar garden lights […]
So I found this blog and after trying to get a replacement cell and finding it impossible…I googled how to fix one! So after reading all the comments I decided to try the Repel mosquito spray…and OMG put it on a little scrubbiest sponge came right off! Now it is outside for a test run! I did replace the battery too…just used a regular AA Duracell so I’ll update after dark!
Well the light did not come on…..I guess the bulbs themselves could be bad, however they are direct wired from the solar cell up through the stake, so I guess it’s the trash for my 70$ lights…that stinks!
Nice Solar Pathway Lights !!! Thanks for sharing gorgeous Solar Pathway Lights . I think I’am going to be on the look out for more of these attractive Solar Pathway Lights myself.
Visiting from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079CR2JS4
NIce fix on the solar cells.
Thanks for sharing.
Try turtle wax premium polising compound. This will remove oxidized plastic. This is also great for car headlights, same concept. Hazy headights reflect light back into the light instead of at the road.
Thank you for the tip.
I love how you analyzed and articulated the “so what did we learn?” at the end! Great metacognitive reflection to help others recognize the process and the outcome!! Can you tell I’m a retired educator of 40 years😉
Glass ones do NOT keep them from becoming weathered. I have really nice expensive ones & they barely light now. I don’t know what will remove the haze.
[…] DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Kriegsman […]
[…] the panels with soap and water. You can often make frosted panels clear again by brushing them with clear nail polish. If the plastic is soluble in lacquer thinner or acetone — as many plastics are — the […]
[…] Anything in your backyard can be made to look more fun with a cute touch of DIY on it and this adding a lot to your garden decor. The pretty butterfly lights working on solar energy in your garden now can be rejuvenated with a touch of nail polish and this project is so much easy and fun that your kids can do it nice and easily at home. So do grab the details of the project right here and make it with your kids to spend some quality and fun time with them kriegsman […]
I just brought my solar lights at first they were working one works sometime and the other does work what can I do to make them work again.
Doesnt help much when the insides rust out from moisture getting in.
Cleaning solar cells with nail polish?! Haven’t thought of this before, thanks for sharing your experiment! This can help a lot of folks who have the same problem. Will try this the next time I clean my solar lights.
Clean with OFF put on a sock and wipe panel works on headlights too!
[…] DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Kriegsman […]
Thanks for the help, I lightly scrubbed my solar cells with a kitchen green scrub pad and used clear coat paint for cars, no nail polish for this 71 yr old man, and they (all 3) came back to life.
My great grandson, broke the cute frogs on the logs that held them and they won’t work, and I thought it was because of the became the rechargeable batteries had been thrown away .
I found the frogs that I can replace.
Can any solar be renuvinatef?
Thank you, will try your method today!!!
Smart kid! And thanks so much 4 the help it was driving me crazy having to throw out solar lights every winter into the spring. You know you buy these cute nice solar lights that decorate for the holidays and in New Jersey week at all four seasons so they definitely are weather times for LOL