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Yellowing headlamp lenses

Discussion in 'Canada' started by markp, Mar 3, 2015.

  1. Mar 3, 2015 at 6:01 PM
    #1
    markp

    #1
    markp [OP] Member

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    mark
    Canada
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    2006 Tacoma TRD
    My wife has a 2008 Camry. The headlight lenses have started yellowing. This has significantly reduced visibility when driving at night. Is there anyway to fix this without replacing the headlamp lenses? I was think of putting in brighter headlamps. Will this work? Any help is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

    Mark
     
    markp, Mar 3, 2015
    #1
  2. Mar 3, 2015 at 6:02 PM
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    gtokarski

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    gtokarski Well-Known Member

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    gtokarski, Mar 3, 2015
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  3. Mar 3, 2015 at 8:57 PM
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    Sterdog

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    Sterdog Offline

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    I believe that 3M stuff is more for pitting/smoking. I don't think it'll help if the lens is yellowing from the inside because of the bulb. It's worth a try, but if the damage is on the inside of the lens or in the lens like what was happening to some early 2nd gen Tacoma's then you'll need new housings.
     
    Sterdog, Mar 3, 2015
    #3
  4. Mar 4, 2015 at 7:01 PM
    #4
    markp

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    markp [OP] Member

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    Thanks a lot for the info guys. I think I may try a stronger set of bulbs (the bright white) and see if that cures or helps the problems..Thanks again.

    Mark
     
    markp, Mar 4, 2015
    #4
  5. Mar 4, 2015 at 7:46 PM
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    gtokarski

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    gtokarski Well-Known Member

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    In my experience the sylvania silver stars don't last long.
     
    gtokarski, Mar 4, 2015
    #5
  6. Mar 4, 2015 at 7:56 PM
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    pudge151

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    pudge151 Well-Known Member

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    Spray them bug spray with highest amount of DEET you can find and wipe with a cloth. It works
     
    pudge151, Mar 4, 2015
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  7. Mar 9, 2015 at 1:28 PM
    #7
    balljoint

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    balljoint Well-Known Member

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    I used one of the kits to polish the headlights on my Tacoma at around 250,000 km. it worked well, however, by the next summer it needed redoing. Eventually I bought a set of used headlights and tail lights off a guy who had gone with aftermarket lenses all around.

    My issue was pitting on the outside but comparing the old lenses with the new I could really see the yellowing effect as well.
     
    balljoint, Mar 9, 2015
    #7
  8. Feb 8, 2017 at 8:10 PM
    #8
    TangoKilo

    #8
    TangoKilo Well-Known Member

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    I bought a similar restoration kit (Permatex.... I think) at Canadian tire a couple years ago and it worked pretty well on my oxidized truck headlights.
    They are starting to get bad again so its time for another application.
     
    TangoKilo, Feb 8, 2017
    #8
  9. Feb 21, 2017 at 7:00 PM
    #9
    Twalt87

    #9
    Twalt87 Well-Known Member

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    If its on the outside you can get them to look perfect with some work lol.

    Just did this to my gfs 97 civic. I grabbed 3 different grits of sand paper, 800, 1000, 2000. As well as turtle wax rubbing compund and turtle wax polish.
    Wet sanded the shit out of the lenses then buffed them with both waxes. When you do this you are supposed to reseal the lens with a uv protector but my town had no so i didn't, still looks good after 2 years.

    If its on the inside.... i have no idea. used lenses from a wrecker?
     
    Twalt87, Feb 21, 2017
    #9

Products Discussed in

3M Headlight Lens Restoration System, 39008, 1 Kit
$19.70
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