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How to clean fogged up headlight covers?

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by DaytonLax14, Nov 6, 2009.

  1. Nov 6, 2009 at 1:00 PM
    #1
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I just bought a 1998 tacoma and the headlight covers seem to be really dirty/foggy and the lights don't seem to be very bright (maybe because of the foggy covers?). What is the best way to go about cleaning those?
     
  2. Nov 6, 2009 at 1:14 PM
    #2
    snakebite

    snakebite Well-Known Member

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    toothpaste and brush. good luck
     
  3. Nov 6, 2009 at 1:36 PM
    #3
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    for real? is there some kind of kit i can buy to clean them off? Would the fogged up light covers cause the lights to not be very bright/not shine very far?
     
  4. Nov 6, 2009 at 1:39 PM
    #4
    carmellocafe

    carmellocafe Begin With The End In Mind.

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    Yes you can get a headlight lens restoration kit at Wal-Mart (Don't know the $). Yes, a really fogged lens could cause dimmed lights for sure. :)
     
  5. Nov 6, 2009 at 1:41 PM
    #5
    carmellocafe

    carmellocafe Begin With The End In Mind.

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    BTW-- Welcome to TW Corey! :thumbsup:
     
  6. Nov 6, 2009 at 1:44 PM
    #6
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    thank you sir! i'm gonna go run to wal mart and see if i can pick one up
     
  7. Nov 6, 2009 at 1:45 PM
    #7
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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    Most auto parts stores carry a kit for cleaning glass and head light lenses. The kit includes pads that are impregnated with jewelers paste that you attach to a drill motor and spray water on to activate. I got the kit from Napa Auto Parts for $12.00.
     
  8. Nov 6, 2009 at 2:23 PM
    #8
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    Those kits work ok. The best way is to wet sand with 1500, then 2000 grit, then use a buffing pad (on a buffer or high speed drill) then use a polish, then protect and keep them protected with a good wax or sealant
     
  9. Nov 6, 2009 at 2:27 PM
    #9
    pataco

    pataco Well-Known Member

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    mcguires makes a kit as well.
     
  10. Nov 6, 2009 at 4:04 PM
    #10
    humanoid

    humanoid bite me

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    What are headlight covers? Are you referring to the headlights themselves?
     
  11. Nov 6, 2009 at 4:29 PM
    #11
    DaytonLax14

    DaytonLax14 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    the headlight lens
     
  12. Nov 11, 2009 at 6:28 AM
    #12
    Rattler

    Rattler Wandering But Not Lost

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    Seeing fogged covers is sort of a pet-peave of mine. I use Maguires mag wheel cleaner and a terrycloth rag and have not found anything that works better (even tried 3M Microfinish). That is probably all the kits consist of anyway. A couple runs over the lights and follow up with some wax if you like.
     
  13. Nov 11, 2009 at 6:38 AM
    #13
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    I have used them mag wheel cleaner as well it seems to work pretty good but you still need something to polish them up afterwards to give them a shine.
     
  14. Apr 26, 2017 at 10:57 AM
    #14
    Stadler

    Stadler New Member

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    Here's a dumb question for you: is the cleaner applied to the outside, inside, or both? It's hard to tell if the "fogging" is only on the outside?

    (By the way, I just bought a '98 Tacoma as well; it's my second one - my brother has had two as well - but the first in a long time).
     
  15. Apr 26, 2017 at 2:37 PM
    #15
    Rattler

    Rattler Wandering But Not Lost

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    Just do the outside front part of the lens. I just use a cleaner/polish for car paint. They just get yellow again after a month anyway.
     
  16. Apr 26, 2017 at 3:34 PM
    #16
    mrlee

    mrlee I like crunchy Tacos!!

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    Go to the detailer section. Lots of good info there on how some of the pros take care of lense.
     
  17. Apr 26, 2017 at 3:37 PM
    #17
    coffeesnob

    coffeesnob Well-Known Member

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    weather tech sells headlight lens covers that they claim keep your lens clear. I would like to know if they work. Seems like they may hold heat and I have seen a while back folks complaining about their covers melting from the daytime running lamps
     
  18. May 22, 2017 at 7:16 AM
    #18
    hanrock

    hanrock Well-Known Member

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    If you get a kit that uses a drill with sanding pads use a slow speed only you can create heat by going to fast and melt the plastic and I think there is a clear coat for lenses that has a uv protectant.
     
  19. May 28, 2017 at 8:07 PM
    #19
    Silentwolf

    Silentwolf Well-Known Member

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    Ive had the Weathertech Headlight protectors on since February. Supposedly they'll keep them from oxidizing but only time will tell on that. Ive read reviews that say they still look good years later. They are a bit costly and a lil forewarning they are a biiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttccccccccchhhhhh to put on. Had to buy a heatgun to make the process easier and it still took me about 2 hours to do, but I was really OCD about getting it the best I could.
     
  20. May 28, 2017 at 8:17 PM
    #20
    roadking1

    roadking1 Well-Known Member

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    I have had the best results using one of the least expensive products.. Turtle Wax Headlight Cleaner and Restorer..takes a couple of minutes and cleans the headlights right up.
     

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