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Headlight cleaning/polishing

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Skrain, Dec 29, 2015.

Page 3 of 5
  1. Dec 29, 2015 at 5:25 PM
    #41
    grdgz97

    #41
    grdgz97 Well-Known Member

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    It works!
     
    grdgz97, Dec 29, 2015
    #41
  2. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:00 PM
    #42
    PackCon

    #42
    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    They work, but they take as much time and effort as putting in mew lights and they don't last.
     
    PackCon, Dec 29, 2015
    #42
  3. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:16 PM
    #43
    steelhd

    #43
    steelhd Well-Known Member

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    And new headlights won't be hazy in three years? If they don't have glass lenses how would that be? And how is that better other than having a much lighter wallet?
     
    steelhd, Dec 29, 2015
    #43
  4. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:27 PM
    #44
    SoCalSteve

    #44
    SoCalSteve Sunshine Tax

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    I've restored the headlights on my moms car twice now, and the haze comes back in a few years. If you're keeping the truck, replace them. If not, restore prior to trade or sale.
     
    SoCalSteve, Dec 29, 2015
    #44
  5. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:30 PM
    #45
    PackCon

    #45
    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    Headlights do not badly oxidize in 3 years. That is a gross over-exaggeration.
     
    PackCon, Dec 29, 2015
    #45
  6. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:36 PM
    #46
    ChemDawg

    #46
    ChemDawg Well-Known Member

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    :frusty:
     
    ChemDawg, Dec 29, 2015
    #46
  7. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:49 PM
    #47
    steelhd

    #47
    steelhd Well-Known Member

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    Maybe mine wouldnt "badly" oxidized in your expert opinion but I needed to do my 2011 healights in the summer of 2015. They pretty much sucked in my amateur opinion. I will give you a call next time to see if you approve of the work.
     
    steelhd, Dec 29, 2015
    #47
    todras likes this.
  8. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:50 PM
    #48
    Skrain

    #48
    Skrain [OP] Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

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    Westin 9 LED Driving Lights.
    How much of the fogging is caused by oxidation, and how much by sand/road dirt/gravel basically sandblasting the plastic over time?
    Just curious...
     
    Skrain, Dec 29, 2015
    #48
  9. Dec 29, 2015 at 6:55 PM
    #49
    steelhd

    #49
    steelhd Well-Known Member

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    I don't know if its UV or oxidation. In my case it wasn't sandblasting because there was no pitting and the treatment took the crap right off. It wasn't scum that could be washed off either.
     
    steelhd, Dec 29, 2015
    #49
  10. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:01 PM
    #50
    Skrain

    #50
    Skrain [OP] Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

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    Too bad it would cost a bundle for some aftermarket replacement seller to actually make the units with glass lenses!
    Of course, I know it would be SUPER expensive to make them, creating a mold for the glass to be pressed into shape, manufacturing the units, and so forth.
    Another example of where newer isn't necessarily better in the long run!
     
    Skrain, Dec 29, 2015
    #50
  11. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:04 PM
    #51
    PackCon

    #51
    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    Oh my god stop being a drama queen. Use common sense and stop trying to misrepresent what everyone says just to be argumentative.

    You either have sun blasting your truck 24/7 or live in an area with more UV. Use that knowledge to take what people say in context.
     
    PackCon, Dec 29, 2015
    #51
  12. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:05 PM
    #52
    Lord Helmet

    #52
    Lord Helmet Prepare To Attack

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    That's what I use then I went to the body shop and had them shoot a clear coat layer on the head lights. Problem solved :thumbsup:
     
    Lord Helmet, Dec 29, 2015
    #52
  13. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:11 PM
    #53
    PackCon

    #53
    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    How long ago?
     
    PackCon, Dec 29, 2015
    #53
  14. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:12 PM
    #54
    steelhd

    #54
    steelhd Well-Known Member

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    I live in a desert area but my truck is garaged at home. Not exactly parked in the Sahara year around so I am not misrepresenting anything. Plastic lenses oxidize or break down with UV. Spending hundreds on replacement lights instead of a few bucks and a few minutes for basic maintenance is pure stupid. You didn't go that, did ya junior?
     
    steelhd, Dec 29, 2015
    #54
  15. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:18 PM
    #55
    picturethis

    #55
    picturethis Well-Known Member

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    600 grit, followed by 2000 grit, then a clear coat finish
     
    picturethis, Dec 29, 2015
    #55
  16. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:19 PM
    #56
    PackCon

    #56
    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    I think most people would need to change their headlights once in the cars life, maybe twice if the car made it to 30 years.

    If you need to change lights every 3 years I'd say you are a special case. Either that or my Ford has the worlds best headlights.

    My Taco is already 3 years old and the headlights couldn't be closer to crystal clear.
    BUT OMG IM GONNA GO BROKE GETTING NEW ONES.

    Calm down
     
    PackCon, Dec 29, 2015
    #56
    NeedmoreTaco likes this.
  17. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:21 PM
    #57
    Lord Helmet

    #57
    Lord Helmet Prepare To Attack

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    I did it on my other car and 4 years later still looks brand new :thumbsup:
     
    Lord Helmet, Dec 29, 2015
    #57
  18. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:23 PM
    #58
    Lord Helmet

    #58
    Lord Helmet Prepare To Attack

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    WOW..... what's up with the name calling? :facepalm:
     
    Lord Helmet, Dec 29, 2015
    #58
  19. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:25 PM
    #59
    PackCon

    #59
    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    Maybe I need to try this.
     
    PackCon, Dec 29, 2015
    #59
  20. Dec 29, 2015 at 7:27 PM
    #60
    Lord Helmet

    #60
    Lord Helmet Prepare To Attack

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    My car's original headlights were clear coated from the factory so I just brought it back to it's glory days :thumbsup:
     
    Lord Helmet, Dec 29, 2015
    #60
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3M™ Headlight Lens Restoration System 39008, 4/Case
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