I was looking at my wife's HL the other day. Even after a car wash, the headlights looked pretty shabby. They are starting to cloud over and turn yellow.
Has anyone tried a headlight restoration on these headlights? I've seen a few chemical kits out there but I'm skeptical of the results.
The only true way to clear up the lenses is to sand them down and polish them back with progressively finer and finer micromesh abrasives. I was taught how to perform this process in A&P school so I know how labor intensive this process is.
I was looking at my wife's HL the other day. Even after a car wash, the headlights looked pretty shabby. They are starting to cloud over and turn yellow.
Has anyone tried a headlight restoration on these headlights? I've seen a few chemical kits out there but I'm skeptical of the results.
The only true way to clear up the lenses is to sand them down and polish them back with progressively finer and finer micromesh abrasives. I was taught how to perform this process in A&P school so I know how labor intensive this process is.
Yea I can fix them Pm me .I purchased a kit and it's all down to a system on sand paper and it's done
Use the Plastic polish I showed you that stuff is great..
ERik
Last edited by Tundrav8yamaha; 05-09-2008 at 05:14 PM.
Haven't need to do them on my HL - but have done them on the plastic headlights other 7, 8, 9 yr old cars. Some Megiuars Fine Cut Cleaner (or Glaze),, electric drill and buffing pad. Doesn't take much time.
I have the micro mesh polishing kits too - have used them for rear taillight restores -- they do a good job too, but time consuming...
Go to any motorcycle dealership near you ... Harley, Honda, Kaw, whatever ... and get a bottle of Novus #2 plastic polish. You might be able to find it at Autozone, Advance Auto, etc., also. Apply a bit of Novus to a soft cotton towel and rub it on the lens ... rub it vigorously. Then wipe off. Check your work. If you need another application, get after it. Novus #2 will do the job probably better than any other product on the market ... just my opinion based on years of using Novus on motorcycle windshields, helmet face shields, goggles, and shatter-resistant plastic glasses.
OMG that has to be one of the worst websites, it's like sensory overload. Maybe they were trying to see how much they can fit on the page at the same time. It's like when CNN had the crawl at the bottom of the screen AND one on the side. Luckily they ditched that!
I'm still not sure what the 360ID is, when you go to that link all they talk about is the ALR. I'm guessing that it is some kind of protective topcoat because I saw mention that you have to periodicaly reapply it.
OMG that has to be one of the worst websites, it's like sensory overload. Maybe they were trying to see how much they can fit on the page at the same time. It's like when CNN had the crawl at the bottom of the screen AND one on the side. Luckily they ditched that!
I'm still not sure what the 360ID is, when you go to that link all they talk about is the ALR. I'm guessing that it is some kind of protective topcoat because I saw mention that you have to periodicaly reapply it.
Polycarb. Headlamp housings have a lifespan. Auto makers know this. They design it as such. Some Automakers make them better than others. Ever notice the Dodge Neon headlamps... after 2 years they are garbage. But then again...the Dodge Neon is a two year throw away vehicle anyways.
I have to wonder if ALR is legit.( any better or even worse than other products..) Toyota doesn't recommend anything be used on theheadlamps as this will remove the UV layer. But this UV layer is not explained well enough by the MFrs.
From what I have learned... the UV "layer" is actually an additive to the polycarbanate plastic during the mold process...NOT a "LAYER" that is applied over the final molded lens when manufactered.
Just wash and keep clean is all they recommend. If oxidized...i believe it is on it's way out. And it doesn't matter what yu use on them to keep the clarity and light output close to "like new" condition.
ALR reminds me of "as seen on TV" infomercial regarding similar product to remove eye glass scratches. Just wipe on and voila clarity is restored to original. I don't buy into this nonsense.
Does anyone else have more to add or correct here??
Be sure to find out WHY the headlamps are fogging or becoming discolored. I have a tiny small cracks on the bottom of my driver’s side headlight at the bottom where the bumper connects to it. It’s not visible without getting deep in there and peeking through the bumper plastics. This is the root cause to my discoloration issues.
There is no magic cream that will restore the color and clean up the clear plastic because it’s the moisture filled air that penetrated the inside of the clear plastic. In my case, which should be similar everyone else who has Toyota headlights it's not cheap plastic, its internal damage to the structure itself.
Once the sealed lights are cracked it can only be glued or replaced. If there is absolutely no cracks you should check your light bulbs because they have a rubber gasket to help seal them into the headlight fixture.
Be sure to find out WHY the headlamps are fogging or becoming discolored. I have a tiny small cracks on the bottom of my driver’s side headlight at the bottom where the bumper connects to it. It’s not visible without getting deep in there and peeking through the bumper plastics. This is the root cause to my discoloration issues.
There is no magic cream that will restore the color and clean up the clear plastic because it’s the moisture filled air that penetrated the inside of the clear plastic. In my case, which should be similar everyone else who has Toyota headlights it's not cheap plastic, its internal damage to the structure itself.
Once the sealed lights are cracked it can only be glued or replaced. If there is absolutely no cracks you should check your light bulbs because they have a rubber gasket to help seal them into the headlight fixture.
good luck with the headlight ointment though
All headlamp housings have Vents for moisture relief. A perfectly brand new headlamp housing may exhibit moisture within the housing from time to time because these housings are not sealed from atmosperic conditions i.e. high humidity and heaving rain and ice buildup on the outside will induce internal moisture. This is part of the design. It is important to inspect these vents as they can get clogged with dirt over the years and can also be the cause of persistant internal mositure...which can cause permanent clouding inside the lens over time.
BTW, 99% of the time it will never be the "O" Ring on the bulb causing moisture leaks. They just don't fail. Of course human error by not properly installing the bulb can always be an issue. But, that's a given...
These Vents are usually located high up on the rear of the housing... ususally two of them located apart from each other. As the heat from the bulb builds up, the moisture evaporates and exits through these vents and the inside lens clears up of mositure.. So in fact it is not necessarily a slight or minor crack that will produce this moisture alone. Sometimes the seal of the lens to housing will breach over the years and silicone may be reapplied around the whole assembly .
These vents appear to be short rubber downturned nipples/hoses or similar in description. Look closely at the back of your light housing(s).
For many many years Europe has been using this "unsealed design" and for this reason The USA/DOT (feds) have only recently allowed them for US use. That's why the "Sealed Beam Headlight" Bulbs only disappeared recently during the mid '80's in favor of this European design. The Feds finally allowed them along with with it's inherent design flaw/characteristics. But it enabled Mfrs. to contour these "Unsealed headlamp housings" more efficiently into the front body design for esthetic, more focused light projection and aerodynamic purposes.
BTW.. ALR looks bogus to me.
Just some food for thought.
LT
Last edited by LifeTech; 02-06-2009 at 09:37 AM.
Reason: spel
All headlamp housings have Vents for moisture relief. A perfectly brand new headlamp housing may exhibit moisture within the housing from time to time because these housings are not sealed from atmosperic conditions i.e. high humidity and heaving rain and ice buildup on the outside will induce internal moisture. This is part of the design. It is important to inspect these vents as they can get clogged with dirt over the years and can also be the cause of persistant internal mositure...which can cause permanent clouding inside the lens over time.
These vents are usually located high up on the rear of the housing... ususally two of them located apart from each other. As the heat from the bulb builds up, the moisture evaporates and the inside lens clears up of mositure.. So in fact it not necessarily a slight or minor crack that will produce this moisture alone.
These vents appear to be short rubber downturned nipples/hoses or similar in description. Look closely at the back of your light housing(s).
For many many years Europe has been using this "unsealed design" and for this reason The USA/DOT (feds) have only recently allowed them for US use. That's why the "Sealed Beam Headlight" Bulbs only disappeared recently during the mid '80's in favor of this European design. The Feds finally allowed them along with with it' inherent design flaw. But it enabled Mfrs. to contour these "Unsealed headlamp housings" more efficiently into the front body design for esthetic and areodynamic purposes.
Just some food for thought.
LT
But there is a way to protect your investment head light cover's from Avs which is a shield.I've had mine on since 2005 and love them and yes I do use the plastic xx cleaner and No problems. My old 2000 Tundra was toast after 2 year's this method is working for me.
ERik
Last edited by Tundrav8yamaha; 02-06-2009 at 09:10 AM.
Yes, Headlight covers are the best insurance... BUT, unfortunately for us 01-07 Highlander owners, AVS has not produced any more covers for us owners.
I tried to order these covers before I even took delivery of my 06 HL ...to no avail. Initially AVS directed me to one of their largest sellers . This seller actually took my order ...then a week later They said it was on Backorder. AVS said that was an error too. If no more stock then just too bad. Spoke to AVS directly ...even tried to get them to mold one set for their cost. I then offered to buy multiple sets and figured I could sell the balance. They will not . They even stated that the mold wasdiscarded.. That it would be cost prohibitive. AVS even tried to locate inventory worldwide for me. No luck. Seems the AVS HL headlight covers were stopped in production well before 2003. There was a chance that Australia Toyota dealers had some stock left. In Australia ,Toyota had them listed as an Official Dealer Accessory. But no luck either. There was just no demand apparently for the HL. No one was buying them. No supply when there is no demand!
These clear covers have been great on my previous Toyotas. But are not attainable anymore for the 1st gen HL's. I would not want the Smoked covers which were available initiallyas they reduce light output.
Thanx.
LT
Last edited by LifeTech; 02-06-2009 at 11:44 AM.
Reason: spel
Might not that clear bra stuff for protecting the front nose finish help here as well? Just as a top coat to protect a bit against bug spats, tar flings and sand/grit hits?
Just wash and keep clean is all they recommend. If oxidized...i believe it is on it's way out. And it doesn't matter what yu use on them to keep the clarity and light output close to "like new" condition.
ALR reminds me of "as seen on TV" infomercial regarding similar product to remove eye glass scratches. Just wipe on and voila clarity is restored to original. I don't buy into this nonsense.
Does anyone else have more to add or correct here??
Anybody have luck with headlight restoration?
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