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

 

like a yellow?! search "hazing on headlights", there are multiple thread on CL that tell you how to remove haze from headlights..

 

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

 

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.

 

Didnt take them off but i buffed them and they look almost brand new. I wish i took a before and after pic. thanks for the help

 

What did you use(to buff them)?

 

What exactly did you do..because i have the same problem and want to get rid of it without buying new headlights.

 

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.

 

Long list of products. PlastX was designed for this type of job for the OTC materials but to each his own I suppose

Menzerna FP II also works pretty well by machine, hell, NXT 2.0 worked great as well with my Porter Cable now that I think about it

 

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.