Do you have any tips for extending trailer light life?
1) After removing trailer from launching ramp, wash down the inside and outside of your trailer lights to prevent corrosion of the socket.
2) Silicone spray the mounting areas around the bulb to prevent corrosion.
3) Buy trailer lights with extended life bulbs. Most Peterson lights come with 15,000 hour bulbs, which can be identified by their distinctive green base.
Safe and Unsafe Solvents/Cleaners for Lights and Lenses
The following solvents/cleaners ARE COMPATIBLE with polycarbonate:
Mild soap and water
Mineral Spirits
Hexane
VM & P Naphtha
Varsol No. 2
#1 & #3 denatured alcohol
Freone TF & TE-35
Ethanol
10% Sol Bon Ami®
Dirtex®
2% Sol. Reg. Joy
Heptane
White Kerosene
Methyl, isopropyl & isobutyl alcohols
Lacryl® PCL-2035
polycarbonate cleaner
Petroleum Ether/65 degrees C boiling point
The following solvents/cleaners MUST NOT be used with polycarbonate:
Trichlor
Acetone
Triclene®
Methyl Ethyl Keytone (MEK)
MIBK
Toluol
Benzol
Gasoline
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Texize-8006, 8129, 8758
Liquid Cleaner – 8211
Agitene®
Ajax®
All Liquid Detergents
Pink Lux® (phosphate free)
Diversol®
Lemon Joy® (phosphate free)
Kleenol Plastics
Lestoil®
Lysol®
Stanisol Naphtha®
Oils
Cleaning Procedures
Warm water and mild dishwashing soap will do an excellent job of removing dirt from the lenses of vehicle lights without damaging the light or the vehicle.
NEVER USE ACETONE, ALCOHOL, ABRASIVE CLEANSERS, OR ACIDIC OR CAUSTIC COMPOUNDS ON PETERSON LIGHTS.
Use warm water you can comfortably put your hands in. Apply the soapy water liberally with a soft sponge. Rinse, then dry with a soft cotton or microfiber towel. When cleaning a non-sealed incandescent light, do not allow water to enter the light housing. It is unnecessary to unplug the electrical connectors. However, if you unplug any wires, be sure the conductor and surrounding cavity is clean and free of debris.
- Use a high-quality dielectric grease such as Electrolysis Corrosion Kontrol (Peterson P/N PM-ECK-T) on bullet connectors as well as PL3 and PL10 plugs.
- Peterson never recommends applying grease to silicone-sealed modular connectors.
- Never direct the spray from a high-pressure power washer at your vehicle’s lights or electrical connections.