99-02 4Runner oem headlights, anyone ever try to clean the chrome reflector inside?

[Jason B]

Anyone ever try to clean the chrome reflector inside? Is there an easy safe way to do this to make it look new? Helping a friend.

 

[99problems]

Anyone ever try to clean the chrome reflector inside? Is there an easy safe way to do this to make it look new? Helping a friend.

Apparently your best bet (without being willing to separate the glass) is to just slosh some very dilute soapy water and/or semi-dilute windex; and you definitely don't want to try ammonia: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/60412-cleaning-inside-headlights.html

Edit: So here's a youtube video of a guy cleaning the 3rd Gen headlights... he actually fails to show the cleaning process but describes it (and does at least show some before/after video). He used simple cold tap water to rinse and dump several times before using type 1 water as a final rinse: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/60412-cleaning-inside-headlights.html

 

[Jeremy107]

The chrome reflector in one of mine is angled down for some reason which makes one headlight not really reflect like it needs to, following this to see the best route

 

[Jason B]

Apparently your best bet (without being willing to separate the glass) is to just slosh some very dilute soapy water and/or semi-dilute windex; and you definitely don't want to try ammonia: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/60412-cleaning-inside-headlights.html

Edit: So here's a youtube video of a guy cleaning the 3rd Gen headlights... he actually fails to show the cleaning process but describes it (and does at least show some before/after video). He used simple cold tap water to rinse and dump several times before using type 1 water as a final rinse: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/60412-cleaning-inside-headlights.html

Thanks for the info. Is separating the glass hard? I just see 4 metal clips that look easy to pop off, or is there adhesive around it or something?

 

[99problems]

Thanks for the info. Is separating the glass hard? I just see 4 metal clips that look easy to pop off, or is there adhesive around it or something?

There's adhesive. I know others here have posted how-to's on making it work in your kitchen oven... not something I'd probably do in my own oven though. Here's a youtube video if you'd rather watch first and see if you want to go down that road: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=2HTLPUdMs5M&usg=AOvVaw3LxP36IKjrl1NK7SWwDZ4M

Edit: Of course ChrisFix already did a video on separating the glass without using the oven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXvBkHlwDgA

 

[nissanh]

What do you mean by cleaning? Just to remove the dust etc? I remove the bulb and wash the interior with soap and warm water. Just shake the lamp with water/soap mixture inside. Rinse with water and then blast some air into it through the headlight bulb holder and allow it to dry under the sun. Will take about 2 days. I did this to my Landcruiser headlamps and it is really clean after the wash.

 

[Renegade_Medic]

You can bake them open and clean them if you want them really clean. If you're to the point of removing the headlight from the truck, it's not much more work to bake them. Get it down to just the housing by backing the adjusters all the way out. Im referring to the reflector and glass as the housing. Carefully remove that spring that is holding the housing to the surround (?) With some needle nose pliers. Then carefully remove the last pin/stud holding it together. Pop off the little metal clips with a flat blade screw driver. Put the housing in the oven at 240 for 15 minutes. Pull it out (with mechanics gloves on, or similar). Carefully insert a flat blade screw driver between the glass and reflector housing. Slowly and gently (or you can chip the glass) rotate to begin to separate the pieces. If it is giving you resistance, put it back in the oven a few more minutes and try again. It should basically start to separate, then you can basically pull it apart. After you have cleaned, toss the 2 pieces in the oven, adhesive up for about 10 minutes, still 240, and then press them back together.
It's pretty easy really. It's not as hard as it sounds.

If you're going to go that far, why not just to an HID projector retrofit? It should be around 130 bucks for the whole entry level kit from The Retrofit Source.

 

[Jason B]

What do you mean by cleaning? Just to remove the dust etc? I remove the bulb and wash the interior with soap and warm water. Just shake the lamp with water/soap mixture inside. Rinse with water and then blast some air into it through the headlight bulb holder and allow it to dry under the sun. Will take about 2 days. I did this to my Landcruiser headlamps and it is really clean after the wash.

[MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION] That's cool idea, but I'm wondering if it's going to leave spots, or does it come out like 100%?

You can bake them open and clean them if you want them really clean. If you're to the point of removing the headlight from the truck, it's not much more work to bake them. Get it down to just the housing by backing the adjusters all the way out. Im referring to the reflector and glass as the housing. Carefully remove that spring that is holding the housing to the surround (?) With some needle nose pliers. Then carefully remove the last pin/stud holding it together. Pop off the little metal clips with a flat blade screw driver. Put the housing in the oven at 240 for 15 minutes. Pull it out (with mechanics gloves on, or similar). Carefully insert a flat blade screw driver between the glass and reflector housing. Slowly and gently (or you can chip the glass) rotate to begin to separate the pieces. If it is giving you resistance, put it back in the oven a few more minutes and try again. It should basically start to separate, then you can basically pull it apart. After you have cleaned, toss the 2 pieces in the oven, adhesive up for about 10 minutes, still 240, and then press them back together.
It's pretty easy really. It's not as hard as it sounds.

Cool, one headlight got busted and found another but of course it's a little shiner, wondering if option #1 above will work without spots all over. I'm guessing the bake method would be work to get it cleanest?

 

[Renegade_Medic]

[MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION] That's cool idea, but I'm wondering if it's going to leave spots, or does it come out like 100%?



Cool, one headlight got busted and found another but of course it's a little shiner, wondering if option #1 above will work without spots all over. I'm guessing the bake method would be work to get it cleanest?

I would use alcohol instead. I would think soap might leave residue behind.

 

[Jason B]

OK, this did the job. I filled the lamp off with warm water and windex 2-3 times and added some ice cubes to help scrub the inside while shaking, then rinsed 2 times with tap water, THEN final rinse with distilled water so there wouldn’t be spots, then used hairdryer about a foot away for 10 minutes. Looks perfect

 

[gamefreakgc]

OK, this did the job. I filled the lamp off with warm water and windex 2-3 times and added some ice cubes to help scrub the inside while shaking, then rinsed 2 times with tap water, THEN final rinse with distilled water so there wouldn’t be spots, then used hairdryer about a foot away for 10 minutes. Looks perfect

Wow, that actually worked! Didn't know it was possible but that really cleaned things up.

 

[Jason B]

Wow, that actually worked! Didn't know it was possible but that really cleaned things up.

It really did work!

 

[I_bRAD]

The ammonia in the windex might not play well with the metalization on the reflector. That stuff is literally microns thick. Be careful with exposure time if you decide to take the risk.

 

[Jason B]

The ammonia in the windex might not play well with the metalization on the reflector. That stuff is literally microns thick. Be careful with exposure time if you decide to take the risk.

Yea, it wasn't in there long and was on 1 part windex to prob 4-5 parts water. Then rinse with tap water a few times, then final rinse with distilled water.