Cleaning foggy headlights..

1999 Tacoma, the headlights are real foggy. Any DIY homeade tricks? Thought about some kind of wetsanding/compound maybe?

Thanks!

 

Local mechanic showed me a little bit of brake fluid, a rag, and a low abrasive pad with a little bit of elbow grease. May need to reapply ever so often.

 

You have to re-apply because it eats the protective layer so they get foggier quicker.

 

ive heard of toothpaste working...

 

Yup, toothpase, vinegar, light rubbing compound.

 

I use this on the ladies 02 prerunner, works well. Keeps em clear for a few months. Plastx by Meguiars. http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.do?q=4596

 

No matter what is used to polish them, they will fog again quickly unless protected.
You can try waxing every weekend, but best is a quality clearcoat.

Still need to wax regularly.

 

So whats everyone do? Buy new ones? Cheapo ebay? Take em out, clean em and spraypaint clear coat them?

thanks

 

$160 for a pair of Depo housings on Amazon.
Depo is the only manufacturer other than Toyota that I trust. I bought a set of Spyders for my wife's Rav4, and while they haven't leaked, the light pattern is terrible.

Once you get the new ones in, keep them clean and waxed.

 

I'd use some rubbing compound or something like the 3M headlight restoration kit, clear coat them and put them back on the truck.

 

I use this, works well, I wouldn't say months though. The headlight restoration kits work well (approx. $60). Those will last the longest and work the best, basically you are sanding and buffing and polishing it. I was going to try some thing on my dummy set soon and I'll let you know.

Instead of buying the kits I will save some money and just try some extra fine wet sand paper, then polish. I'll post results.

 

Wetsanding then buffing is the real way to go on restoring headlights 100%. 3m headlight restoration kit is great. I just buffed my slighty foggy headlights on my 2005 with my porter cable

$140 7424xp PORTER-CABLE Buffer Polisher, Car Polisher for Car Detailing, 6", Orbital, Variable Speed (7424XP)

7424xp (da buffer), 5.5in foam cutting pad, and meguiars Ultimate compound. They came out amazing. I followed up with Meguiars #26 high tech yellow wax (my favorite). They werent that bad so wetsanding wasn't necessary.

 

+1 to what radredtaco says. The 3M kit is the shit to use. $12 something on Amazon and $16 or so at Wallyworld. I used the folmonty (everything) in the kit due to a truck that sat outside for 8 years. Also did my wifes Chevy Equinox with the same kit. Only memo worth noting : be sure to tape the area around the lens well. You can't control the sanding that good and it will eat your paint or trim pieces PDQ leaving a mark. Kit is easy to use. Well worth the time / effort. Body shops get $125 or more to do this. Really helps appearance of the vehicle.

 

Pop the hood, tape off grill, and surrounding painted surfaces like the front fender and bumper, follow directions and your good to go!

 

What about this fog building up inside my headlight? This bothers me so much!

 

How long does it usually take for headlights to start getting hazy? Is it just the sun that causes this?

 

Wet sanding and compound then clear coat them. Start with a 600 then 1000. clear them. you can wet sand with a 1500 after that then 2500. then buff them with a compound.

 

what are people using to clear coat their headlights?