So I've been taking apart my 06 GS430 for about a week now. Dealing with all the small kinks I'd like to get out of the way.

One major and possibly costly fix are my headlights. Since I purchased the car back in 2012 the headlight lenses were slightly cracking on the inside but not so bad. Though now it's more noticeable than ever and it's really bugging me. I've never had an experience taking headlights apart nor do I have the talent to do so. Haha. I'd probably go to a friend that does this type of stuff..

My question before I end up spending an arm and a leg on new headlights. Can these be restored in any way?

 

Most likely the damages are on the outside of the lens. What you can try to do is take some wet 1500 grit sand paper and test a small area to see if it helps remove it. If it does, you can completely sand down the lens with 600 grit then 800 and take it to a body shop and have them spray clearcoat on top.

I am against using these headlight restore kits as all they do is remove the OE clearcoat from the headlight and polishes the raw plastic. After a month or two headlights will be worst then before.

 

It is actually from the inside. It looks like its from the outside from the photos. I was hoping someone might of had the same cracking issues and found an alternative fix besides replacing the whole headlight, and in my case both.

 

Mine look like that too. It really makes the car look old. I've considered getting new ones, but to cost is ridiculous.

 

Mines also look the same =X. At night when I have the HID on; the lens look brownish but still disburst white light from the 5k bulb. But it doesn't match my 5k fogs and 5k driving lights =X. I was considering on sanding them down myself and using a restoration kit, but its very costly to purchase a new pair even with the Swell discount.

 

This is generally caused by heat. I have also read if there is moisture on the inside combined with high heat cracks can occur. Unfortunately they need to be replaced unless someone comes up with an innovative idea.

What concerns me is if your lights are the factory OEM as this generally occurs when people upgrade their HID as the lenses are not made for the increased temperature.

 

What about tinting the housings like the ones shown here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-LEXUS-GS300-GS430-GS350-HID-XENON-HEADLIGHT-DRIVER-PASSENGER-OEM-TINTED-/181305823758?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ALexus%7CModel%3AGS350&hash=item2a36ab520e&vxp=mtr

 

to be honest that looks like your lens is cracking(those tiny little cracks). you may not want to sand that too far. I mean you will definitely get the yellowing out but not the cracks.

I have used the 3m restoration kit numerous times. just make sure you clearcoat the headlights and maintain them well.

as for yours I would definitely order new ones. a cheaper route is if you find a junked or totaled gs get those headlights which will probably have some yellowing and restore those. just make sure there are no cracks.

 

I actually want to get rid of the washer sprayer on my headlamp. I feel it made my headlight condition worse and most of the time i forget when you use the windsheild washer spray it also trips the headlight washers as well :| I think it helped yellow my headlights. Im wondering if I can get the non washer headlight and hope my car wont trip out or cause sensor errors.

 

these are really nice, wish I could offered them but 1400 for head lights ouch

 

I've always wanted these from carid.com. Just wondering if this price is for one headlight or both.

http://www.carid.com/2006-lexus-gs-h...-16799555.html

 

says 1 pair on the description

 

I wonder if you took off the lens and grabbed a heat gun to carefully and gently melt the top layer. So that the plexi will flow together. Just aslong as you dont over heat and warp it, maybe its worth a shot before trashing it to replace it

 

Does if feel rough on the outside?

 

Those cracks will never go away, but after some 1500 grit wet sand and some polishing, they'll be looking 90% better. There's a great chemical coating out there that you can apply after sanding, which will block UV and prevent the yellowing from coming back... Forge what it's called. Try the wet sanding and polish method before you replace.