I can’t believe it!! I was cleaning the inside of my headlight with Novus plexi-glass cleaner and I damaged the chrome plastic piece. Why didn’t someone ever say not to use Novus on that part!?? It’s not terrible and from most angles you can’t tell but I made sure you could see it in the pics. It removed the outer layer of chrome in about a ¾” diameter space right above the glass to the lowbeam. I’m pissed!! What’s worse is the headlight didn’t look bad to begin with. Now it’s practically new except for this piece. Do you think I could replace just that? If not I may sell this one and buy one used. Or just find a used one for that piece. If nothing else maybe this thread will prevent the same thing from happening to others!

 

2

 

last one

 

OUCH!

 

Damn, that really sucks. I doubt they sell just that piece but you might want to check the dealership. I dont have any good suggestions for you, sorry. LIke you said, you could probaly sell it on ebay and buy another one. Just wait for one to come to auction, buy it, then when you get it, sell yours. You shouldnt lose to much money. Good luck.

 

Blacked out headlights....

 

EvoTuned,
Chalk it up as a Rookie mistake. If you would have researched througoutly and searched on the topic. You would fine many issues discussed on the subject of how to clean our Headlamps. Which may have prevented your mistake.
The best described link is
www.mkiv.com/techarticles/headlights/index.html
And if you notice they use both Nova and Plexus,
Nova for the lense and Plexus for the reflective area.
If your Lamp was fine to begin with, then there was no need to pop open the lense to clean it.
The best and easy way to clean the inside of your Headlamp without having to pop the lense; is to place Hot water, mixed with 'Casade' diswashing detergant and a Rinse agent such as 'Jet Dry' into the housing.
Then agitate the mixture for about 15 minutes, by shaking around the Lamp housing.
Then thoughoutly rinse out the Lamp with cold water and let dry using a Hair dryer.
Then use a polishing compound to buff the outside lense to a shine.
I have used this technique on about a half dozen of the these Lamps and they turned out as good as new.

 

Toejam,

That dishwasher theory sounds like a good one. Question? Do you add hotwater+dishwashing soap first....then rinse with more hotwater+jetdry? That would be a very fast and simple solution. Also, do you follow up with re-caulking the light to prevent more condensation later?

MW

The only reason I like to dissemble this particular lamp is to clean out the Projector lens. Both of my 92 lens had the glass lip on the projector lens shattered all the way around. So I vacuumed that out and reinstalled.

 

I did use the MKIV tech page’s article to clean them. I also found several other articles on the topic. That’s why I was upset that they didn’t say not to use the Novus on the inside. Also, my light did have moisture on the inside but it wasn’t as bad as others I’ve seen. Thanks for the cleaning tips and I’ll be sure to use them next time. I’m going to check with the dealer on Tuesday. But knowing Lexus if I can buy just that piece it will probably be at least $75. I think I could get the entire light used off eBay for around $50. If anyone knows of chrome paint or any other tips let me know. Thanks!

 

Oh, one other thing, I have a black car, 18" rims, lowered, and soon to be tinted so I thought black-out headlights would look good. only prob is I'm kind of a perfectionist so it'd have to look really nice. anyone have any pics??

 

EvoTuned,
Lexus sells the unit as a whole and for about $350.00,
Finding one at a Salvage yard is slim and they charge
about $275.00, if it is in good condition.
I have sold a few on E-bay and netted a minimum $200.00 for each.
Each were in 'Excellent' condition. And the Buyers thought
they were brand new and happy with them, once they received them!
Driver side Headlamps are the most sought after item.
Check out and request the condition of any Headlamp on E-bay,
before you Bid, if they are going for cheap, then probably there is
something wrong with it.

 

ToeJam300, that’s good info to know. There isn’t much on eBay right now. I’m going to also try salvage yards on Tuesday looking for one that the outer lens is cracked but the inside is fine. Like I said, all I need is the plastic chrome piece and I can use the rest from mine. Hopefully I can find one under $50. As far as salvage yards online this is the best I got. http://www.taprecycling.com/inv-lexus/sc300-400.html anyone have any better ones?

 

Wow,$350 each,huh?
That explains why the Lynwood dealer mechanic/a-hole swapped mine out during an extended visit last year.
Was just looking at mine yesterday,and was thinking about washing them out.

 

pcmw,
Either way will work. The key is not to let the water have a chance to spot. I recommend using Soft water and to repeat the cleaning procees twice, then dry it out using a blow dryer.
Good luck!
Once I was done, I had not needed to reseal the Lamp.

End note:
The theory works, I have done it a few times on other SC Head Lamps I had laying around and also had done it on my driverside lamp. Still need to do the otherside, but man, what a difference!!

 

thanks

MW