Headlight Covers
#1
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On my RX300 the headlight covers have like a dirty looking film on it that wont just wipe off. Its not clear at all looking. Is there a way to get that off. is there a solution to put on them and maybe get a buffer on them or how hard would it be to buy news and change them? Thanks for the help.
John
John
#3
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Yeah just like that yellow haze.. I wash the car and it looks a little better but just comes back in a day but is never completely removed. I will take a look at some of those threads. Thanks for the help
#4
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Before buying new ones, I would try to sand them.
Take both of them off (you'll need to take the lower grille off and take the wheel well covers at least halfway off to get to the 2 last nuts and to pull the lamp out). Take the metal strips off, they are held by a screw on one side and a tab + some 3M dual sided foam on the other side.
Wet sand them VERY LIGHTLY with 2000 grit sandpaper. You don't need to go to coarser grit, 2000 is enough. Let it dry to see that you sanded evenly (they will be matte). If everything is ok, use rubbing compound then polishing compound (TurtleWax liquid @$6 ea. or paste @$3 ea.). They will look better than new.
Alternatively, get some OEM lights from eBay. These are typically sold by people swapping them out for some Altezzas or other overpriced P.O.S. You can find OEM lights as cheap as $30-$40 if their tabs are broken off. What most sellers don't realize is that there are actually parts to replace broken tabs made by Toyota. They are special order, but they are like $4-$5 a piece - they are screwed on in place of the broken off tabs. The part is called "Headlamp Protector Retainer Upper/Lower". If you have the manual, they are pictured on pages BO-6 and BO-8.
Take both of them off (you'll need to take the lower grille off and take the wheel well covers at least halfway off to get to the 2 last nuts and to pull the lamp out). Take the metal strips off, they are held by a screw on one side and a tab + some 3M dual sided foam on the other side.
Wet sand them VERY LIGHTLY with 2000 grit sandpaper. You don't need to go to coarser grit, 2000 is enough. Let it dry to see that you sanded evenly (they will be matte). If everything is ok, use rubbing compound then polishing compound (TurtleWax liquid @$6 ea. or paste @$3 ea.). They will look better than new.
Alternatively, get some OEM lights from eBay. These are typically sold by people swapping them out for some Altezzas or other overpriced P.O.S. You can find OEM lights as cheap as $30-$40 if their tabs are broken off. What most sellers don't realize is that there are actually parts to replace broken tabs made by Toyota. They are special order, but they are like $4-$5 a piece - they are screwed on in place of the broken off tabs. The part is called "Headlamp Protector Retainer Upper/Lower". If you have the manual, they are pictured on pages BO-6 and BO-8.
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#8
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Well like Miniround above noted that you can go to search and type in "hazing on headlights" and you will get before and after photos. What I did was I went to a Pepboys and got the following: 5 minute scratch remover 9.99, Turtle wax (Polishing Compound) and a Meguiars (cleaner wax in a maroon can). I got my drill and with the 5 minute scratch remover put the bit and pad they supply and buffed away the yellow hazing and with a rag towel cleaned the lens after. Then took the Turtle wax and applied it, let it sit for a minute and then buffed that off with rag towel and then applied Meguiars cleaner wax to keep the finish and protect it. That was it. They look great. I got lucky and ran into a guy when i was at pepboys and he used to do detail cars and headlights as a side job business and he gave me the compounds I listed. It didnt fail me. Good Luck.
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#10
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Yeah I used that PlastX on one headlight and Turtle wax on the other and was not to impressed with the PlastX but thats just me, just glad they came out looking almost new again. Thanks again for all the help from this forum, it really helps me out and saves money now that gas is over 4 dollars, every penny counts.
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lowkeySC
Automotive Care & Detailing
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06-11-09 05:35 AM