DIY Cleaning/Clearing Headlight 2nd Gen
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So...I finally got around to baking the headlights to clean out the lenses.
Overtime, dust/dirt and moisture gets into the housing and on the projector lens leading to a diffused light and bad cut-off line.
First remove the headlamps from the car (first remove the black plastic cover thing) then remove 3 screws from each headlamp.
-remove all bulbs
-remove all rubber ventilation hoses
-remove one screw on the back of the turn signal
-remove all clips using a flat head screwdriver
Then, preheat your oven to 200 degrees F on Bake.
-Use a flat head to pry around the lens/housing cover
-reheat as necessary (about 5 minutes each time)
Freshly Baked
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4017.JPG)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4019.JPG)
Ugly orange reflector..
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4020.JPG)
Before: Foggy lens
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4023.JPG)
After: Left is cleaned,
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4027.JPG)
After putting everything back together, I used a rubber sealant to prevent moisture from getting in.
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4030.JPG)
Reinstalled.
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4032.JPG)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4031.JPG)
New Cleaner cutoff line
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_40331.JPG)
Cutoff line Before cleaning
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Car_0071.jpg)
More pics coming..
Overtime, dust/dirt and moisture gets into the housing and on the projector lens leading to a diffused light and bad cut-off line.
First remove the headlamps from the car (first remove the black plastic cover thing) then remove 3 screws from each headlamp.
-remove all bulbs
-remove all rubber ventilation hoses
-remove one screw on the back of the turn signal
-remove all clips using a flat head screwdriver
Then, preheat your oven to 200 degrees F on Bake.
-Use a flat head to pry around the lens/housing cover
-reheat as necessary (about 5 minutes each time)
Freshly Baked
Ugly orange reflector..
Before: Foggy lens
After: Left is cleaned,
After putting everything back together, I used a rubber sealant to prevent moisture from getting in.
Reinstalled.
New Cleaner cutoff line
Cutoff line Before cleaning
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Car_0071.jpg)
More pics coming..
Last edited by tuan92129; 11-22-08 at 01:50 AM.
#3
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Update: DDM HID Kit Installed ![Cool](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
-DDM slim ballast 55W, 5000K
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4096.JPG)
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4095.JPG)
-Hood struts are dead... -> matching white prop rod
![](https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/IMG_4098.JPG)
55W is like night and day difference compared to 35W.
After cleaning the lenses, the cutoff line/beam pattern, is very good (compared to OEM HID reflectors).
![Cool](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
-DDM slim ballast 55W, 5000K
-Hood struts are dead... -> matching white prop rod
55W is like night and day difference compared to 35W.
After cleaning the lenses, the cutoff line/beam pattern, is very good (compared to OEM HID reflectors).
#4
Intermediate
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Great work Tuan92129
Removing the orange piece from the headlight is definately a great modern upgrade!
The HIDS look awesome shining out the freshly cleaned lenses. VERY NICE.
Thanks for taking the time to post up all the pics and sharing your mods.![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Keep up the great work. I wish my ES had projectors!
LEX ES300
Removing the orange piece from the headlight is definately a great modern upgrade!
The HIDS look awesome shining out the freshly cleaned lenses. VERY NICE.
Thanks for taking the time to post up all the pics and sharing your mods.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Keep up the great work. I wish my ES had projectors!
LEX ES300
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#5
Lexucanafer
![](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/ranks/rank-mod2.gif)
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yep, good work tuan92129 ! ![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I installed HIDs last February. Sure does make a difference!
Now it's time to get rid of your color-matched hood prop rod!
I bought a set of replacement hood struts on ebay for CHEAP! That was more than 2 years ago. They're still working great.
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I installed HIDs last February. Sure does make a difference!
Now it's time to get rid of your color-matched hood prop rod!
I bought a set of replacement hood struts on ebay for CHEAP! That was more than 2 years ago. They're still working great.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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#8
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yep, good work tuan92129 ! ![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I installed HIDs last February. Sure does make a difference!
Now it's time to get rid of your color-matched hood prop rod!
I bought a set of replacement hood struts on ebay for CHEAP! That was more than 2 years ago. They're still working great.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
I installed HIDs last February. Sure does make a difference!
Now it's time to get rid of your color-matched hood prop rod!
I bought a set of replacement hood struts on ebay for CHEAP! That was more than 2 years ago. They're still working great.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Egads!](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/pat.gif)
-will post wall shots when it gets darker.
#9
Regional Officer - NTL
iTrader: (1)
![Thumbs up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif)
Beautiful, inspirational and motivational. Excellent work!
I wonder if I'll work this in during my long holiday weekend? I have a taillight that's now leaking like crazy...but those won't fit in my oven. Otherwise I'd clear those at the same time.
Any thought of going after the tails and clearing what you can outta those now, Tuan?
I wonder if I'll work this in during my long holiday weekend? I have a taillight that's now leaking like crazy...but those won't fit in my oven. Otherwise I'd clear those at the same time.
Any thought of going after the tails and clearing what you can outta those now, Tuan?
#10
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Beautiful, inspirational and motivational. Excellent work!
I wonder if I'll work this in during my long holiday weekend? I have a taillight that's now leaking like crazy...but those won't fit in my oven. Otherwise I'd clear those at the same time.
Any thought of going after the tails and clearing what you can outta those now, Tuan?
I wonder if I'll work this in during my long holiday weekend? I have a taillight that's now leaking like crazy...but those won't fit in my oven. Otherwise I'd clear those at the same time.
Any thought of going after the tails and clearing what you can outta those now, Tuan?
#14
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter