Clear coating headlights

Listen guys... Do not fuckin clear coat your headlights...

I did a real nice headlight resto. They were in really bad shape all scratched and yellow. I didn't think these OEM headlights could be brought back but I did it the old fashioned way and went all the way up the ladder 6 times with the wet sanding - 320 grit, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000. Then I compounded them with the buffer and started over again. When I was done they looked like brand new.

I lightly did three coats of non-yellowing UV protected clear to both headlights and went and had dinner. When I came back, they were spider webbed all over!

I waited overnight and started the process all over again. I spent three hours on the first one and got it back to an acceptable level, but not as good as before. The second one was a nightmare. For the life of me I could not get that one to cooperate. I ended up trying paint stripper on it and got most of the clear off, but then it was still ridiculous trying to get that shit off. End of the day, I ordered new headlights and fuck me dead I'm so pissed at myself.

 

was your dog not overseeing this work
just joking!

 

sucks but good to know. I'd stick with just a good wax after sanding.

I replaced both of mine a few years back. Ordered some cheap replacements (TYC) off Amazon. Next time I'll fork out the coin for toyota headlights.

 

This is the appropriate product for that purpose:

 

Dude, I was seriously gonna pm you to ask your opinion on this before I did it. I usually rely on chrisfix on youtube for cosmetic stuff and his advice is usually spot on... In this case I want to send him a nastygram with a turd emoji.

 

Others have had success in the method you chose, but I prefer purpose built products when possible.

You should just be able to pull the lenses off the new units and swap onto your retros. You’ll have to check fitment to make sure they fit perfect.

 

Ah ha! Great idea! I ordered the Dormans crossing fingers. So I would have to bake both units right? Then put the new lenses on the old housings and seal them real tight?
Or perhaps, put aside the old units. I could install the Dormans as they are and see how they do for six months. If they don't do well, I could go ahead with what you're suggesting..

 

You can easily hit or miss when applying any type of spray on product. I don't know why the clear coat didn't work for me. It could have been the wrong temperature or humidity... I don't know. It was a mild day and I did it outside. I applied it very lightly and took my time, yet this happened.

 

Chrisfix also did a body rust repair video that didnt involve cutting out any of the rusty sections, even Scotty Kilmer made a video nagging him for it. I wouldnt take his cosmetic/body repair advice. All his other stuff seems spot on like you said.

 

Right, that was my thought. Though if the new units don’t perfectly match the dimensions of the old, you may end up with leaks.

Aftermarket reflectors are not as good as OEM, but could certainly be worth trying. Should probably silicone the seals to be safe. Then do the headlight upgrade:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

 

does that stuff work well on sealed beam headlights which i have?
I have relatively new beams but for future reference...

 

Exact same results on my Camry. A friend who knows auto painting better than I said the clear coat dried too fast (this was last Aug approx 85F in the garage). Sadly, even with the shattered look, they are still brighter than before I cleaned them. I may strip it off this Summer.

 

Don't bother unless you have unlimited patience. I really tried. I mean REALLY tried. Very patient. It got to the point where I realized the time expense was outweighing the cost of buying new ones. And that's saying a lot. I'm no Bill Gates.

 

It should. It is specifically designed for the purpose. However in your 97 I’d swap the lighting assemblies for the 200mm Hella E-code H4 conversion for a significant increase in output over DOT patterns, and they have glass lenses so you dont have to worry about UV breakdown like polycarbonate.

 

Plus it's an 03 Camry...not like it's a looker

 

Yeah, But not only do clean headlights make the car look way nicer, having them clear is, after brakes, probably the most important safety item on your car. You can't have good enough night vision. Not to say that some spider webbing is really that disruptive, but it definitely doesn't help.

 

She was there offering no support whatsoever. I looked at her in desperation several times and she didn't take the hint. Women.

 

You went WAYYYYYY to fine with the sandpaper. The clear had nothing to stick to. I’ve done this on multiple sets of lights and never had an issue. The clear will even out the marks from the sandpaper. They should not be even close to clear from sanding before you spray.

 

How long did your TYC's last for? I recently read about the quality of TYC and it wasn't good. I ordered Dormans which supposedly have a better reputation but who knows?? I took a gamble, and I've discussed this with @crashnburn80. Going OEM is the right way to do it. Let's see what happens and I'll let you guys know.

 

Ok.. So how far should I have gone?