Fog Light Restoration

I know there are a ton of ways to remove haze from headlights, but I'm looking for something that will take the haze out of my fog lights. I hear that wet sanding, buffing, and clear coating is the best way to remove the oxidation. Is there an easier way or product that will take care of stubborn oxidation? I tried rubbing compound already on a foam applicator pad, but to no avail. Any help is appreciated!

 

I tried the RainX Headlight Restoration stuff........ my fogs ended up worse that I started. Yes, it removed some oxidation and cleared up for a few weeks, but the "sealant" they give you doesn't really work. Just like anything detailing-related, it's a "do it right the first time" kinda thing. Wet sanding and clear coating is the tried and true method.

Of course, that's just my opinion from my experience, and I hope others will be chime in.

 

I use this

 

A microfiber pad and plastX would be a step up from where you're at. But if they're severely oxidized, you're gonna need either lots and lots of time or a powered tool. Or both. Honestly, there's not really an "easy" method. Go in deep with wet sanding, and you then need to (multi-step, possibly) polish to clear them up.

Meguiar's has three new lens repair kits. I've not used them.

Basic: Two-step: Heavy-duty: And here's the sealant: You may already know this, but for those that don't... when you sand/buff headlights, you're removing the factory installed UV protectant layer. It's hard stuff, but when it begins to degrade, it goes quickly. After you "restore" lenses, they need to have protectant applied- but nothing is gonna get you close to the factory coating. Thus, frequent reapplication of a protectant is necessary, or yellowing/hazing will quickly return.

You can restore by hand, but a DA polisher makes the process much easier. By hand, it's gonna take a lot of time (depending on severity). I've heard that the Griots 3" polisher is good for headlights. But if I was purchasing just one polisher, I'd get the griots 6" because it's much more versatile and not that much more expensive (I actually have both the 3" and the 6"). The 3" is about $100. The 6" is about $150.

I might suggest using a kit with a drill if you want to keep cost to a minimum-- like this: (Looks like the Megs HD kit also has a drill attachment).

Here is a selection of all the headlight products at AG:

 

Oh, I forgot to mention... this is Meguiar's older kit: It's being phased out and replaced with the ones I linked in my previous post. Advanced Auto is currently clearancing this kit for like $7. I picked up two kits last week. It contains plastX, sealant, and a couple buffing pads of some kind. For $7 it might be worth a try. But I think their new HD kit with drill attachment would be a better set-up.

 

So basically there's not really an easy way. I may just pick up the kit and see what the results are. The fogs are hazed in a weird location. It's more severe in between the center and outer area of the light. I'll post pics when I get the chance.

 

Yeah post some pics.

 

Here they are. The flash kinda makes them look worse than they really are.

 

You could get those looking really nice. They're not too bad at all. You could try PlastX on a cotton terry towel, followed by a microfiber or foam pad. The PlastX might run you $8 locally. It takes some time and elbow grease.

People seem to underestimate the time it takes. Think about it-- it's a micro-fine abrasive (almost like toothpaste) and you're abraiding very hard plastic. People get owly when they think they're gonna have clear lenses in 5 minutes by hand and it doesn't happen. And then they say PlastX sucks. Well, it's not magical like that. But it does work well with some time and effort.

Conversely, I think you'd have it knocked out pretty quickly with one of the meguires kits and cycling through their abrasive pads. I'd be getting a kit with the drill attachment if $$ is no object. But honestly, I think any of those kits would get you to where you want to be. It's just a matter of how fast you wanna get there. Get a kit, set aside a couple hours, and you'll be set.

You know how you can see swirls in new plastic lenses after just a couple wash/dry sessions? Kind of like swirls in paint from towel drying-- Those fine hairline scratches come out of lenses in two minutes by hand with PlastX. But as I've said, the haze/fog takes more effort. On the up side, your lenses should clean up nicely.

 

Also-- before you start. Look VERY closely and verify that the problem is in fact on the outside of the lens. We just got done working on my brothers hazy 4Runner headlights. Worked for about an hour before we realized that a majority of the hazing was on the inside of the lenses. Just something to watch out for before you get in too deep.

 

Looking to go cheap go this route. Go here

$40 Winjet Fog Lights Assembly fit for 05-11 Tacoma Fog Light, Clear(Wiring Kit Included

https://www.amazon.com/WINJET-Toyota-Tacoma-Wiring-Included/dp/B017C8HSHK

 

That's a valid approach. I like those yellows. A quick scan of the reviews turned me off. And I didn't even get through 10% of them. I saw two that talked of the lights leaking or fogging inside with water vapor. Another recommended adding silicone for sealing. One report of the reflector peeling. Proceed with caution. I'd try to save the OEM's. In a pinch, for $30 I might give em a shot.

 

Oh yea I was just letting you know that there were other options. Heck you could even go LED.