Headlight discoloration or clouding

[arich]

Anyone have any issues like this on their headlights? I'm still under warranty.

 

[tirewater]

The first picture looks like scratches from the rotating brushes in a tunnel car wash. They'll likely buff out.

The second picture looks like haze, you can try one of the kits to remove headlight haze. Although in my experience the haze comes back soon after "fixing" it.

Since the car is under warranty, see if the dealership will fix (replace) the covers for you.

 

[Sinister]

Yup, mine isn't close to as bad as yours though. Mine is very minor.

 

[WildYoats]

For what ever reason, Toyota headlight plastics used tend to fade or cloud quite easy, at least in my experience. There are a plethora of ways these days to clean them up, but you have to protect them or it will reoccur quite rapidly.

I noted a very little portion of fading on my 2013 on that exact top area, the area that is super exposed to the sun as it faces up. I'm going to add some clear protectant (clearbra type material) and hope that will assist in protecting it.

 

[MScruiser]

Start washing your car correctly! (Just being a smart ass, but seriously, that looks like scratches/haze from washing with a dirty rag)

 

[arich]

Not a chance. I wash my cars and trucks with three buckets and three microfiber clothes. One for the top and middle above belt line and one for the bottom of body and another for the wheels. None of my cars even have swirls in the paint.

 

[MScruiser]

At any rate , I've had good luck with Novus Plastic Polish on my bugshield and headlights.

 

[Tripledave]

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem. Mine look like s***. Novus seems to work followed by a nice coat of 303 Aerospace Protectant (I can't stop using this stuff, it's incredible).


Sent from my extremely unreliable mobile device using IH8MUD Forum

 

[brussum]

I had a set of OEM clear plastic stone shields over my headlamps until I installed my bullbar. It's amazing how yellowed the headlamp units have become where the stone shields did not provide coverage (chiefly on top of the turn signal "bulge"). I never noticed it until I removed those shields the other day.

 

[TonyP]

I used the 3M headlight restore kit on my LS400. The results were amazing. It also comes with a sealing compound to help keep it from happening again. My LS400 headlights were completely hazed over, yellow and you couldn't see the reflector inside at all. Afterwards it was crystal clear and looked like brand new headlight.

Or just try a plastic polish since yours doesn't look bad at all.

 

[WildYoats]

Bumping this because I too have noticed quite a bit of fading on our 200 headlights. Despite me offering some advice above, I am curious if anyone has brought this issue up to their local dealer. Our 200 has 44k miles on it (2013) and it parked inside a garage at night, and in a parking garage during the day so it's not like it sits and gets exposed constantly. I know that for whatever reason Toyota plastic in their headlights have notoriously done this. Not sure after so many years that have not perfected it. I'm going to clean mine up and probably add some black vinyl to the top (sky facing) portions to try and slow this premature wear down but was curious if Toyota has covered any of these under warranty for anyone?

 

[arich]

I had my body shop wet sand, polish and then clean coat them. They came out perfect. New ones are Stupid expensive.

 

[Willy beamin]

I'd like to see what the finish vinyl product looks like - please post up once complete as that has my attention
mine look horrible I need to address them

 

[kevinfoutch]

I used some Chemical Guys V36 cutting compound followed by V32 polish and finished with Jet Seal using 4" foam pads on a corded drill (my DA polisher is too big to maneuver around the ARB Bull Bar) and it turned out great. Took less than 45 mins including prep. I already had the cut/polish/seal supplies from my car wash gear so I didn't have to purchase a new kit. Thanks everyone on this thread as well as @marketShark here for the reminder to get this done.

 

[marketShark]

@kevinfoutch Thanks! @arich @WildYoats I have also noticed this headlight clouding with her 2012 Highlander. It also is always garaged at home and office. Its not the same yellowing as the LC's upper headlight section though. The affected area is right in front of the projectors and not on top as others had indicated.

 

[marketShark]

2012 highlander headlight clouding

 

[blatant]

I had my body shop wet sand, polish and then clean coat them. They came out perfect. New ones are Stupid expensive.

Having never checked but thought i heard around here, the older LC's headlights are considerably cheaper than the newer led etc ones... Can anyone confirm?

 

[marketShark]

Having never checked but thought i heard around here, the older LC's headlights are considerably cheaper than the newer led etc ones... Can anyone confirm?

Last I looked, new replacements to early 200 headlights are about $100/ea. That's pre facelift, eBay pricing. Used OEM post facelift without the ballasts are $200-300/ ea

 

[marketShark]

Additionally, a good headlight restoration kit and some elbow grease is even less expensive yet!

 

[Markuson]

Last I looked, new replacements to early 200 headlights are about $100/ea. That's pre facelift, eBay pricing. Used OEM post facelift without the ballasts are $200-300/ ea

Do you have a link to $100/each OEM replacements? If so...please post. If you mean $100 after-market replacements...I've never seen any at that price that weren't garbage. But again...if you have a link, I'm curious. That would be quite a bargain.