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Scratched headlight assembly

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by dunlopj, Sep 11, 2020.

  1. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:18 PM
    #1
    dunlopj

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    dunlopj [OP] Member

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    When I first bought my truck, it took me a little bit of adjusting from my civic to get used to driving a pickup. The hood scoop didn't help either! I managed to "bump" my neighbors car, and luckily there was no damage to him, but I managed to scratch the outer casing of my headlight!

    Aside from buying a new headlight assembly, what can I do to remove this scratch? I thought perhaps sanding with a fine grit and then clear coating the lense could clean it up! Any advice would be appreciated!

    20200911_154655.jpg
     
    dunlopj, Sep 11, 2020
    #1
  2. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:20 PM
    #2
    Provist

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    Provist Well-Known Member

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    Truck nuts to distract.
     
    Provist, Sep 11, 2020
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    brandon78lusch, dunlopj[OP], Skydvrr and 2 others like this.
  3. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:22 PM
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    EXTaco

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    EXTaco Well-Known Member

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    If it were mine I would leave it alone....I did the whole headlight refresh on a car once by wet sanding with different grits and then clear coating it. After 3 years it still oxidized and turned yellow.
     
    EXTaco, Sep 11, 2020
    #3
  4. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:23 PM
    #4
    malatx

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    malatx Well-Known Member

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    If I were in this situation, I'd just get those aftermarket full LED assemblies since you would be "upgrading" rather than replacing.
     
    malatx, Sep 11, 2020
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    dunlopj[OP] likes this.
  5. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:24 PM
    #5
    Unchained 5150

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    Unchained 5150 Rick

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    Do you have a polisher on hand?
     
    Unchained 5150, Sep 11, 2020
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    jmneill likes this.
  6. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:31 PM
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    jmneill

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    jmneill Well-Known Member

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    OP, from the looks of it, polisher + some rubbing compound and that's gone with very little effort.

    Just did the headlights of my '14 Camry with Turtle wax 'clean cut' compound and the softest of the three wheels in this kit on a cordless drill, and they came out like a champ. Probably a minute and a half per headlight.
    $13 4" 1 Ultra fine Cotton(30 Ply) 1 Treated Yellow Cotton (38 Ply) 1 Fine Cotton (50Ply) Buffing Polishing Wheel for Drill 1/2" Arbor Hole with 1/4'' Handle,3pcs (A)
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QJ4BW5N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
    jmneill, Sep 11, 2020
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  7. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:33 PM
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    Skydvrr

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    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Leave it man. With UV coatings and shit, you're better off just living with a scuff.
     
    Skydvrr, Sep 11, 2020
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  8. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:36 PM
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    jmneill

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    jmneill Well-Known Member

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    Hmm, hadn't thought about UV coatings. If that's a thing, I'm on board with 'just leave it'

    @ 6 years old, the Camry had nothing to lose and everything to gain..
     
    jmneill, Sep 11, 2020
    #8
  9. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:41 PM
    #9
    Unchained 5150

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    Unchained 5150 Rick

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    Correct I had worse than that on mine. Used the Wolfgang Headlight System on it, and it was brand new again. Then I put 3m pro clear bra over them.

    BD1E28A9-7021-47EE-A63C-AEFF77579825.jpg
     
    Unchained 5150, Sep 11, 2020
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    jmneill[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Sep 11, 2020 at 5:44 PM
    #10
    brandon78lusch

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    brandon78lusch Well-Known Member

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    That'll buff out for sure. If not, I'm not sure if you're heavy on aftermarket parts, but Morimoto and Alpha Rex are making some pretty sick headlights. Here is a few links: Morimoto AlphaRex TRDPro16-19
     
    brandon78lusch, Sep 11, 2020
    #10
  11. Sep 11, 2020 at 6:28 PM
    #11
    Skydvrr

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    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Nothing beats OEM UV coatings imo. Nothing consumer grade anyway.
     
    Skydvrr, Sep 11, 2020
    #11

Products Discussed in

4" 1 Ultra fine Cotton(30 Ply) 1 Treated Yellow Cotton (38 Ply) 1 Fine Cotton (50Ply) Buffing Polishing Wheel for Drill 1/2" Arbor Hole with 1/4'' Handle,3pcs (A)
$12.99
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