Hazy headlights

Just curious how long it was until your stock headlights started to haze over? Mine are starting to go now on my 2013. Cpl-inch wide band around the top of them. Bummer, knew this would happen eventually. Gonna leave them for now I think, I know they have those headlight restoration kits but those really are only temporary fixes from what I have heard.

 

It took mine about 6 years on my 2011, so yours are right on time. Yes, it is a bummer. This is the first vehicle I've had this happen to, and not just haze, but also hairline cracks. I guess everything is getting made more cheaply as time goes on...

 

Happened to mine starting about a year ago. Granted the truck lives outside, but I’ve waxed the entire thing including headlights once every two months since I bought it new. You’re correct that restoring your housings will be temporary if they aren’t sealed. My local body shop offers a service where they restore, and then spray them with clear coat. This gets you a warranty against any future degradation as long as you own the truck. I jumped on it and couldn’t be happier. Since I had already performed the BHLM years ago, I wasn’t about to buy a new pair and go through that again just to see them start to oxidize in 3 years.

 

Suggestion:

Try looking up YouTube "Chris Fix". He has a very good instruction video on how to clean the hazzy headlights plus UV spraying for future protection.

I repaired my 2014 camry head lamps and they look factory since the clean up. Long term so far is very nice.

 

Yep, A 14 here and headlights doing the same thing, We have made Nukes, landed on moon , mars and Jupiter, defeated the USSR ( Even though I capitulated and Married a Russian Gal )) ) and we cant make plastic that will remain clear for 5 fN years ! I don't get it.

 

I polished mine to look like new in about 5 minutes. If I have to do it a couple times a year big deal . still better than many of the leaky and poor reflector replacements are.

 

How much $ to replace with new OEM?

 

Cost me $337. I got mine last week, and still have to install them. I wanted to do that job last weekend, but it rained again.

 

We won't use a plastic like that. It costs too much, and lasts too long. Parts sales are big business. That's what capitalism will do for you...

 

337 for a pair - the whole assemblies? With bulbs?

 

YAY for capitalism!!!

 

I was shopping for an OEM set for my 2010 DCLB a few weeks ago (Both of mine were badly hazed and the passenger side was cracked). If I remember right, dealer OEM pricing was in the $300 range per headlight...don't think bulbs were included.

I ended up buying a used pair from another TWer for $100 and used a $25 resto kit from my local big box store. Couldn't be happier with the results and even if I've got to use the kit every year, still saved me a boatload of cash.

 

$337 for a pair, (left & right) headlight assemblies. No bulbs, I'm using my old turn and marker bulbs, and I got new G.E. Nighthawk +120 Zenon headlight bulbs (wanted something better than stock for increased visibility).

 

What did you use exactly?

 

They dont make them out of glass anymore? Safety?

 

No more glass. Plastic is cheaper, and easier. I still say going away from the sealed beam DOT regulation was a mistake.

 

Use plastx from meguiars does wonders

 

My 06 headlights were beyond hope. I had buffed them out for the last few years but the older they got the faster they faded.

A couple months I just went online and got a pair of already black brand new housings for about $95 shipped .

Not the best headlight pic but its the best I have right now.

 

Has the orange rwflector

 

Sam's Club $40 to restore both with the UV sealant. Comes with a 5 year warranty where you can get them redone as many times as you'd like. If you don't have a membership, they usually have day/week trials or just have a buddy with a membership take you in.