IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Headlight lens turning yellow

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Old 06-10-18, 10:26 PM
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SGMIS3
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Default Headlight lens turning yellow

My OEM HID 2006 headlight lens are turning yellow due to UV i believe. Would it be possible to purchase an aftermarket headlight and just swap out the lens? Would any retrofitting be required?
Old 06-10-18, 11:28 PM
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ProxyLexi
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You can fix the yellowing just by doing some research or you can take it to a specialist who can restore the headlights for you. Lots of people on youtube show how to restore them and I recommend you try that before you buy aftermarket lights.
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Old 06-11-18, 09:25 AM
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Zmon
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Lens is not sold separately. You'll be waiting forever for someone to eventually list a cover on eBay that is most likely damaged/scratched in some way as it's typically thrown out if the rest of the headlight is unusable.

Restore the headlight, or replace the headlight. You can DIY it, or take it to a shop. AFAIK, Sams Club was doing a headlight restoration service for like $30-40 a while back where they'd sand it down and apply a UV clear coat.
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Old 06-11-18, 09:34 AM
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sangle
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I do restore headlights on my own. You can buy restore kit at any stores like Walmart, autozone for like $10. It includes sand block and clearcoat wipe. Sand your headlights with sandpaper then apply clearcoat. Or you can buy sandpaper and clearcoat spray bottle separately which is cheaper way ($4 for sandpaper, $4 for clearcoat). The restore kit is one time use only while sandpaper and spray bottle can use for a lot of headlights.
Old 06-11-18, 06:39 PM
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you can try to restore them. I did that but my headlight was still yellow on the inside. ended up replacing them with two used OEM headlights because one was cracked and taking in water.
Old 06-12-18, 07:19 AM
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Allan1
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Use 2k clearcoat, not the cheap 1k one what can be removed with solvent.
Old 06-12-18, 08:59 AM
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Try Off deep woods spray repellent you will thank me....
Old 06-13-18, 06:44 AM
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Restoring would be much easier than trying to replace the lens, even if you could find just the lens. I use a procedure very similar to
and always get great results. Very inexpensive, too.
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Old 06-13-18, 08:07 AM
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busynurse
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I have a 05 and this worked for me. Take toothpaste (I used Crest) and rub both lenses firmly and cover with paste. Let set for approx 2-3 mins and dry then rub off with dry cloth. I had to do this twice and it worked wonders with mine and didn't cost me $$. Sounds crazy but a person at work told me about this.
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Old 06-13-18, 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by busynurse
I have a 05 and this worked for me. Take toothpaste (I used Crest) and rub both lenses firmly and cover with paste. Let set for approx 2-3 mins and dry then rub off with dry cloth. I had to do this twice and it worked wonders with mine and didn't cost me $$. Sounds crazy but a person at work told me about this.
Did the same thing using toothpaste and a microfiber towel, with 5 minutes per headlight. Once the headlight was scrubbed, used water to completely rinse it out, let it dry, used the alcohol and then finished with the clearcoat. Better results than what was on the video because there are no scratches from the sandpaper.
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Old 06-13-18, 08:34 AM
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It's the same concept, in the end, of using an abrasive to remove the layer of yellowed plastic, followed by protecting it with a UV-resistant clearcoat.
Old 06-13-18, 04:01 PM
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busynurse
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It does work also and I used it many times. Next time try toothpaste it lasts longer than the off. I thing the abrasiveness help remove the film
Old 06-14-18, 09:01 PM
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leftyjohn
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I too use toothpaste to clean my headlights. Toothpaste is a mild compound
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Old 06-18-18, 12:02 PM
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Like someone else mentioned, clean up the headlights by sanding them with a kit and then coat them with 2K clearcoat.... it's a 2 part UV protectant clearcoat. The can is a can within a can. You remove the lid and push it into the bottom. This causes the internal can to release a hardening agent. It's a single use can. Make sure to remove the headlights and spray somewhere that you don't mind clearcoat getting all over because it will. Should last another 7 years.
Old 06-21-18, 07:11 AM
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..........

Last edited by DMV350; 01-16-19 at 08:58 PM.


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