How to clean fogged up headlight covers?

DaytonLax14 · 11-06-2009, 01:00 PM

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?

snakebite · 11-06-2009, 01:14 PM

toothpaste and brush. good luck

DaytonLax14 · 11-06-2009, 01:36 PM

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?

carmellocafe · 11-06-2009, 01:39 PM

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.

carmellocafe · 11-06-2009, 01:41 PM

BTW-- Welcome to TW Corey!

DaytonLax14 · 11-06-2009, 01:44 PM

thank you sir! i'm gonna go run to wal mart and see if i can pick one up

OffroadToy · 11-06-2009, 01:45 PM

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.

macgyver · 11-06-2009, 02:23 PM

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

pataco · 11-06-2009, 02:27 PM

mcguires makes a kit as well.

humanoid · 11-06-2009, 04:04 PM

What are headlight covers? Are you referring to the headlights themselves?

DaytonLax14 · 11-06-2009, 04:29 PM

the headlight lens

Rattler · 11-11-2009, 06:28 AM

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.

macgyver · 11-11-2009, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattler

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.

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.

11-06-2009, 01:00 PM	#1
DaytonLax14 Junior Member Name: Corey Joined: Nov 2009, #25531 Location: Ohio Gender: Male Posts: 26	How to clean fogged up headlight covers? 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?

11-06-2009, 01:39 PM	#4
carmellocafe Begin With The End In Mind. Name: KEVIN Joined: May 2009, #17267 Location: N. California Age: 35 Gender: Male Posts: 1,205 06 Prerunner Access cab longbed 2006 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 V6 AFE Dry Pro filter Flowmaster muffler E-Z clamp tailgate mod.	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. __________________

11-06-2009, 01:41 PM	#5
carmellocafe Begin With The End In Mind. Name: KEVIN Joined: May 2009, #17267 Location: N. California Age: 35 Gender: Male Posts: 1,205 06 Prerunner Access cab longbed 2006 Access Cab Automatic 4.0 V6 AFE Dry Pro filter Flowmaster muffler E-Z clamp tailgate mod.	BTW-- Welcome to TW Corey! __________________

11-06-2009, 02:27 PM	#9
pataco MEAN STREAK Joined: Jan 2009, #12092 Location: south central, pa Gender: Male Posts: 729 05 trd white 2005 Double Cab Automatic v6 fox 2.0 c/o with light racing uca.aal with billy 5100 on the rear.with 265 75 16 HANKOOK DYNAPRO atm tires .matching jason topper.magnaflow 11246 muffler,over head dvd.de-bagded,yellow fog mod.blacked out grill and wheels.bhlm.cobra 29 classic(45 watts)with wilson 1000.	mcguires makes a kit as well. __________________

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11-06-2009, 01:14 PM	#2
snakebite Member Name: Dan Joined: Oct 2009, #23752 Location: Hanover, PA Gender: Male Posts: 34 01 tacoma xcab 4x4 AT (7514) 2001 Access Cab Automatic 2005 4runner sport wheels, jeraco cap	toothpaste and brush. good luck

11-06-2009, 01:36 PM	#3
DaytonLax14 Junior Member Name: Corey Joined: Nov 2009, #25531 Location: Ohio Gender: Male Posts: 26	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?

11-06-2009, 01:44 PM	#6
DaytonLax14 Junior Member Name: Corey Joined: Nov 2009, #25531 Location: Ohio Gender: Male Posts: 26	thank you sir! i'm gonna go run to wal mart and see if i can pick one up

11-06-2009, 01:45 PM	#7
OffroadToy Senior Member Joined: Sep 2009, #22680 Location: Central Oregon Gender: Male Posts: 220 07 Radiant Red TRD-Offroad 4x4 2007 Double Cab Automatic V6 SnugTop Canopy, Black Westin BullBar/Tube Steps, Piaa Lights, Weathertech Floor Mats, Dash Mat, OEM Bed Mat, TRDSeat Covers, AVS Hood Shield/Inchannel Vent Visors, Suspension Lift, Front Diff Drop, Rear Diff Breather Extension, Oil Filter Drain Hose, Front Window Tint, Custom Fabricated Plate to Deter Cat Theft, Tailgate Clamp Mod, XPel Headlight/Foglight Protecters, OEM Block Heater	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.

11-06-2009, 02:23 PM	#8
macgyver Senior Member Name: Brad Joined: Aug 2009, #21173 Location: Canton, GA Gender: Male Posts: 102	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

11-06-2009, 04:29 PM	#11
DaytonLax14 Junior Member Name: Corey Joined: Nov 2009, #25531 Location: Ohio Gender: Male Posts: 26	the headlight lens

11-11-2009, 06:28 AM	#12
Rattler Upon The Throne Of Tyranny Joined: Jul 2009, #19435 Location: Bay City MI Gender: Male Posts: 92 '04 DoubleCab "2.5 Lift on "32s 2004 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 All Pro rear bumper with an Ironman Offroad swing-out spare carrier, Bajarack on top, blacked-out grill, Lightforce 140s	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.

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