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First off, exceptional video! This is probably the task I dread most with the SC and have replaced them both ways, not removing the headlamp assemblies and removing them along with the front bumper. Like you did in the video, I always replace both headlights at the same time along with the daytime running lights since they are not easy to access either.
The following list of precautions are from an '06 repair manual for those who may attempt this task:
Never touch the high voltage socket of the HID headlamp with the headlamp dimmer switch ON, as this could generate 20,000 V and lead to a serious injury.
Never connect a tester to the high voltage socket of the HID headlamp for measurement, as this may lead to a serious injury due to high voltage.
To avoid electric shock when servicing the HID headlamp, keep it away from water and rain, and turn off the lamp control switch. also, disconnect the cable from the negative (−) battery terminal and the connector of the lamp control ECU in advance.
When operating the HID headlamp, operate it after assembly is completed and never turn on the lights without a bulb installed.
Last edited by sixonemale; Feb 9, 2019 at 12:15 PM.
Thanks. I'll give it a try. Unfortunately, I paid my local Lexus dealer $100 maybe a year ago to clear up the headlights so whatever they did, didn't stick!
There's a clear coat that you need to spray on the headlights after they've been cleared up like what BGW shows in post #13. That prevents further UV damage. I'm not sure how often the clear coat is supposed to be reapplied.
The Blue car is a 2002 and the red is a 2007. I cleaned the lights on the blue car. The red car has never been cleaned and still looks new.
Having gone through this headlight cleaning process years ago, I learned a lot from someone who had owned a body shop and knew a lot about paint and detailing. I too had used various headlight cleaning products, but depending how much sun exposure the car received, the results were always temporary. So, I asked the person why the headlights on his car looked so clear and why our SC's looked good, but not as clear as his car's lights. He stated if you want to get your headlights to look like you can reach in and touch the actual light bulbs they have to be sanded and painted. If you look closely at both of Bgw's SC's, the red SC has the look of the headlights I just described, super clear, while the blue SC's headlights look good, they don't match the look of the red SC's headlamps. To achieve the look of the red SC, you must wet sand the outside of the headlamps with 1500 to 2000 sand paper and then clean them off with a some sort of solvent. Using paint tape, tape off the headlights with a thin plastic tarp attached that will cover the remainder of the car other than the headlights. He also told me that I had to use a clear coat type of paint that retailed for about $20-$30 a can that had catalyst and could only purchased at an auto paint type of store, but I'm sure now and probably then you could buy it online. Once the catalyst is released the can of clear coat is good for about 24-48 hours, can't recall exactly. You must wear some sort of respirator when using it and I would recommend not doing in garage due to lack of good ventilation or near anything that you don't want over spray on. Put on about 2-4 light coats and then when completely dry buff the lights with some sort of polish and they will look "see through" like Bgw's red SC and last a long time under extreme sun without yellowing. In summary it sounds like long process, but doesn't take very long and the results to me are worth it. Lastly, I have not checked, but I don't doubt there are probably plenty of videos on YouTube that show this or similar process to restore headlamps to that clear new look.
Sylvania markets a headlight restoration kit that my boss used. His headlights turned out great but it hasn't been long enough to see if his clearcoat is going to keep it that way yet.
I have to wonder if the background of the 2002-2005 headlights being different from that of the 2006 & later is what makes the headlights look that way rather than the actual lens themselves. I have a Indigo Ink 2002 also and my headlights look exactly like BGWs and when I examine them up closely, I don't see any haze or discoloration that causes that look. So I suspect that the 2002-2005 will not reach the clear glass lens look like the 2006 and later can. But I could be wrong.
I have to wonder if the background of the 2002-2005 headlights being different from that of the 2006 & later is what makes the headlights look that way rather than the actual lens themselves. I have a Indigo Ink 2002 also and my headlights look exactly like BGWs and when I examine them up closely, I don't see any haze or discoloration that causes that look. So I suspect that the 2002-2005 will not reach the clear glass lens look like the 2006 and later can. But I could be wrong.
It could be the angle, but Jona's '02 headlights look fairly clear or see through in the link below:
It's simply difficult to find an '02 SC, especially since it's a convertible, that hasn't had much sun. Not saying you are incorrect, just not sure. Bgw certainly has the skills to provide us the answer.
My 2002 was not well cared for most of its life. Headlights included. When you look at the lights at an angle, you can see very small cracks, I mean really small. These are created by strong sun and high heat, Florida!
the cracks are on the inside and not repairable, :-(
i originally used the sandpaper method about two years ago and nothing else.
this time, I only used the cleaner then I used the spray.
it says it will protect from the UV for a year. So far, it is working. Before the lights would already be fine to yellow.
i will periodically report back on my findings.
i would like to do the method sixonemale posted but I don’t have that equipment.
my local Lexus dealer offers headlight Cleaning with a lifetime warranty...i was tempted! $130. They just clean them, no clearcoat.
below is what I used the first time...it’s a drill wheel with several levels of sandpaper.
mutistep process...it works well.
DO NOT waste your time and money on coating the headlight with the two part epoxy can paint, its called 2K epoxy clear in a can. I followed instructions, bought their special primer and within one year, the top of the SC430 headlights started to fog over and peel. I did sand and prep properly. I believe its the head from the HID bulb that eventually causes the problem, cold outside, hot inside the headlight. A lot of work , some bucks and to see it fail in a year was a disappointment. I have painted cars before and know how to properly prep a surface for the best paint adhesion. i will need to sand off the coating, and use a different product.
DO NOT waste your time and money on coating the headlight with the two part epoxy can paint, its called 2K epoxy clear in a can. I followed instructions, bought their special primer and within one year, the top of the SC430 headlights started to fog over and peel. I did sand and prep properly. I believe its the head from the HID bulb that eventually causes the problem, cold outside, hot inside the headlight. A lot of work , some bucks and to see it fail in a year was a disappointment. I have painted cars before and know how to properly prep a surface for the best paint adhesion. i will need to sand off the coating, and use a different product.
Sorry it did not work out. I did exactly how the person who owned the body shop advised me to do it. I bought the exact brand of paint he recommended and did not use a primer. This process was done in about 2015 and since then my wife's SC has been parked in outside in very hot summers for about five years now and they still look very good.
