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Older 2nd gen: has anyone successfully polished back their hazy yellowing headlights?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by novataco, Mar 30, 2022.

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  1. Apr 5, 2022 at 7:43 AM
    #41
    uurx

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    uurx Well-Known Member

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    uurx, Apr 5, 2022
    #41
    oh crap its him, 308savage and novataco[OP] like this.
  2. Apr 5, 2022 at 8:07 AM
    #42
    308savage

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    308savage Well-Known Member

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    I just bought the Cerakote kit from Walmart. The next weekend that it's sunny and warm I'm gonna try it.
     
    308savage, Apr 5, 2022
    #42
  3. Apr 5, 2022 at 8:15 AM
    #43
    uurx

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    uurx Well-Known Member

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    dont forget a nice clear before and after pic !
     
    uurx, Apr 5, 2022
    #43
    308savage[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Apr 5, 2022 at 11:17 AM
    #44
    WNYTACOMA

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    WNYTACOMA Well-Known Member

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    I use McGuire's plastic polish (or cleaner?) on my 09' headlights, and use it about every 4-5 months, or so, and they come out close to 'as new'.
     
    WNYTACOMA, Apr 5, 2022
    #44
  5. Apr 5, 2022 at 3:32 PM
    #45
    308savage

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    308savage Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Apr 6, 2022
    308savage, Apr 5, 2022
    #45
  6. Apr 5, 2022 at 7:42 PM
    #46
    will.i.was

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    will.i.was Well-Known Member

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    800 grit-1500-2000 and wipe down lenses really well with alcohol or wax/tar remover. I used a whole can for both headlights. 3 lighter coats with a few minutes in between and I lay it on as thick as I can with the rest of the can

    20220403_154722.jpg 20220403_162858.jpg20220403_162533.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    will.i.was, Apr 5, 2022
    #46
    ty.s07, mistermanny, eherlihy and 1 other person like this.
  7. Apr 6, 2022 at 3:49 AM
    #47
    Marshall R

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    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    I've done my 07 a couple of times. It looks good for a couple of years. Mine need it again.
     
    Marshall R, Apr 6, 2022
    #47
    Icarus II likes this.
  8. Apr 6, 2022 at 10:27 PM
    #48
    Dcallicoat

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    Dcallicoat Member

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    I just got new headlight housings and over the past few months I’ve had bug splatters over them thinking they would just wash off but I was sadly mistaking. They have since stayed on and I have tried everything to get them off. I will definitely be trying some of these products mentioned.
     
    Dcallicoat, Apr 6, 2022
    #48
  9. Apr 15, 2022 at 10:38 AM
    #49
    donpapadaupolis

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    donpapadaupolis Well-Known Member

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    Just got a new set of headlamp housings, would that Spray Max clear coat be my best option for protecting them from the outset? Or is there another route I should consider?
     
    donpapadaupolis, Apr 15, 2022
    #49
  10. Apr 15, 2022 at 12:46 PM
    #50
    scoomas

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    scoomas Well-Known Member

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    this.

    I also retrofitted stock housings with projectors, resealed them, DA'd them up to like 800-1000 grit, cleared them with a 2k clear, sanded up to a 5000 trizact pad and then buffed
     
    scoomas, Apr 15, 2022
    #50
    will.i.was[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Apr 15, 2022 at 1:22 PM
    #51
    donpapadaupolis

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    donpapadaupolis Well-Known Member

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    Kinda hesitant to sand down brand new lenses...anyone familiar with xpel or similar films?
     
    donpapadaupolis, Apr 15, 2022
    #51
  12. Apr 15, 2022 at 6:01 PM
    #52
    tak1313

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    tak1313 Well-Known Member

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    I say leave them alone. Unless they are real cheapo units, they already have some kind of coating on them to protect from UV. When they start yellowing/fogging, THEN sand/recoat them - but that should be years from now.
     
    tak1313, Apr 15, 2022
    #52
  13. Apr 15, 2022 at 7:40 PM
    #53
    donpapadaupolis

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    donpapadaupolis Well-Known Member

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    They are Toyota OEM TRD Pro headlamp housings. I hear ya on leaving them alone.
     
    donpapadaupolis, Apr 15, 2022
    #53
  14. Apr 15, 2022 at 7:55 PM
    #54
    Wyckedan

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    Wyckedan Well-Known Member

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    Try hydrogen peroxide first, people also report Simple Green works great on bugs.

    I have tried probably a dozen or so of those"kits" and it all boils down to the same process. Sand them down to 1500-2000 grit (I've found not going to 2000 gives the next step a better chance of adhering) and then some sort of clear product to protect against UV. I have tried 2 part clear coat, orbital Sanders, you name it. They do not compare to a nice new set of headlights.

    When I saw the pro versions were on sale with free shipping I snagged a set. There are no aftermarket units that compare to OEM quality either. Those DEPO, Spyder, whatever knockoff Chinese garbage, do not hold up.

    Screenshot_20220415-195320_Gallery.jpg
     
    Wyckedan, Apr 15, 2022
    #54
    Canadian Caber likes this.
  15. Apr 16, 2022 at 4:00 AM
    #55
    tak1313

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    tak1313 Well-Known Member

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    Keep them waxed. Some use RainX, but Rainx (for windshields - not wax) is actually pretty harsh and might harm the UV coat on the lens. It makes them much easier to clean when bug smeg (and other muck gets on them.
     
    tak1313, Apr 16, 2022
    #55
  16. Apr 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM
    #56
    will.i.was

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    will.i.was Well-Known Member

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    I had a buddy use some ppf on his headlights. It looks great. He got new headlights and was in the same predicament
     
    will.i.was, Apr 16, 2022
    #56
    donpapadaupolis[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Apr 16, 2022 at 4:50 PM
    #57
    grissom

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    grissom Well-Known Member

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    15yr old truck with original headlights
    Cleaned first with water and alcohol
    No sanding done
    Appx. 10 minutes per headlight yielded these results with a 3" finishing pad

    I am truly amazed on how nice they turned out


    IMG_5011[1].jpg IMG_5016[1].jpg IMG_5013[1].jpg IMG_5014[1].jpg
     
    grissom, Apr 16, 2022
    #57
    eherlihy and donpapadaupolis like this.
  18. Apr 16, 2022 at 6:24 PM
    #58
    Tectonic

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    Tectonic Well-Known Member

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    Huh.. where'd you get the idea to use that kind of polish? Might have to give it a try.

    Seems like any semi-suitable polish on a wheel like thay would probably work
     
    Tectonic, Apr 16, 2022
    #58
  19. Apr 16, 2022 at 8:02 PM
    #59
    Roman337

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    Roman337 Well-Known Member

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    All awesome suggestions. I progressively sand up to the 2000 grit using dish soap in water with the sandpaper. Last run of 2000 I go side to side to prevent running down of urethane mix. Then I layer on a 50/50 mix of gloss Helmsman Spar Urethane and mineral spirits. Google "Spar Urethane Headlight restoration".
     
    Roman337, Apr 16, 2022
    #59
  20. Apr 16, 2022 at 8:50 PM
    #60
    donpapadaupolis

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    donpapadaupolis Well-Known Member

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    I was just checking ppf out too. Trying to decide now between that and a ceramic coating.
     
    donpapadaupolis, Apr 16, 2022
    #60
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