Headlight covers turning opaque
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: CA
Headlight covers turning opaque
2013 ES350, SoCal, no garage at work, garaged at home. Clear headlight covers are going opaque sort of linear, in the middle. Right side is worse. Tried a variety of cleaners, nothing worked. Ideas? Suggestions?
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 108
From: TX
Any kind of wash, or micro-abrasion cleaner will only last a month or so.
There are only two real options (IMHO). Either buy new lenses or have them professionally treated/cleaned. The latter being along the lines of having to sand off the outer layer of plastic. Then, through various, time consuming polishings, bring back the clear and shiny. Search YouTube for examples, but then search out local car shops that will give you a 1+ year guarantee of their work (indicating it was more than a quick polish).
My two cents.
There are only two real options (IMHO). Either buy new lenses or have them professionally treated/cleaned. The latter being along the lines of having to sand off the outer layer of plastic. Then, through various, time consuming polishings, bring back the clear and shiny. Search YouTube for examples, but then search out local car shops that will give you a 1+ year guarantee of their work (indicating it was more than a quick polish).
My two cents.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5,304
Likes: 1,593
From: SE PA
New lenses cost over $1000.00 each as they are part of the entire housing.+ installation. The lenses can be cleaned and made clear once again but as Kijug states, it is a long process.
Don't know what professionals are charging as I did mine myself with excellent results. A kit was about $10.00 and I used a variable speed drill to sand and polish the plastic. All painted areas were masked off... I used QUIXX.
https://www.google.com/search?q=quix...=1554382918031
Don't know what professionals are charging as I did mine myself with excellent results. A kit was about $10.00 and I used a variable speed drill to sand and polish the plastic. All painted areas were masked off... I used QUIXX.
https://www.google.com/search?q=quix...=1554382918031
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 224
Likes: 52
From: NY
New lenses cost over $1000.00 each as they are part of the entire housing.+ installation. The lenses can be cleaned and made clear once again but as Kijug states, it is a long process.
Don't know what professionals are charging as I did mine myself with excellent results. A kit was about $10.00 and I used a variable speed drill to sand and polish the plastic. All painted areas were masked off... I used QUIXX.
https://www.google.com/search?q=quix...=1554382918031
Don't know what professionals are charging as I did mine myself with excellent results. A kit was about $10.00 and I used a variable speed drill to sand and polish the plastic. All painted areas were masked off... I used QUIXX.
https://www.google.com/search?q=quix...=1554382918031
on my current ES, i got clear bra for front bumper and headlights. i'm planning to keep this car for a loooooooong time. no more discolored headlights
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 18
From: NC - North Carolina
A couple years ago, on another car, I used the
restoration kit. It worked well, and lasted a long time. Never did yellow again. I recommend it.
Last edited by camfused; Apr 4, 2019 at 05:01 PM.
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 838
From: Idaho
I realize this doesn’t help anyone with lenses already becoming fogged, our clear bra installer claimed the material is “UV stabilized” and therefore should prevent fogging (sun damage). We had the same brand on our former Prius headlight lenses that was used under similar circumstances (garage maintained at home and surface lot during workday) and there was no fogging at the five year point so his claim may be accurate.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 18
From: NC - North Carolina
aleksfox, try that Meguiar's kit. Easy to do, and did not turn yellow, at least for me. Don't let the sanding scare you...it is easy.
Even if it does turn yellow on you, due to your harsh conditions, after a year or so, then you do it again, at $18/shot.
Even if it does turn yellow on you, due to your harsh conditions, after a year or so, then you do it again, at $18/shot.
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 222
Likes: 63
From: Tennessee
I used one the kits from Mcguires that has the buffing pad used with a drill and got good results that would last maybe a year. I would wax over the HL lens after the polishing process and was happy with the results and endurance. I usually wax my vehicles 2x/yr and would do the HL at least 1x/yr. I did not use any sandpaper on these, just the kit.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,465
Likes: 3,989
From: Maryland
The lenses need to be wet sanded and polished. I'd take it to a professional, any detailer will do this and if you google you'll see its a common issue across all makes of cars.
Once you have them polished out, I would have them covered in a paint protection film.
Good news is they'll look brand new when you're done.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 645
Likes: 135
From: NJ
It appears to be a good idea for anyone whose car stays out in the sun to occasionally apply something like 303 UV Protectant to the headlight lenses every so often. I have never used it but it's been often praised in other Forums, especially for protecting the dashboard covers from sun damage. Not sure if it comes off in washes.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 895
Likes: 433
From: ID
Yes and no.... using a kit like 3M or some others that do not include any sort of UV protection will assure you are going to see fogging/discoloring happen very quickly (mine took only one year), 303, which I've used often on convertible tops and really like, is excellent for certain applications but would wash off of plastic headlights with first rinse. New headlights have a very thin protective coating that lasts many years but eventually allows for the clouding and fogging hence you need to polish then restore the protective coating somehow be that UV clear coat paint or ceramic coating. Many of the cheaper kits do not have such a protective after coating (as I mentioned my 3M kit did not) some do without the coating your shiny clear lights will go south in a years time, I'm 2 years into my Cerakote my headlights still look brand new and crystal clear. Another solution is some people use XPEL PPF that not only stops yellowing/fogging but also gives sand/rock chip protection to a degree so if you know anyone with any extra PPF lying around or are friendly with a shop that has leftovers polish your headlights then PPF them.