Headlight replacement due to fogging/haze?

[MountainClimber78]

I have a 2011 that I've dealt with hazing/fogging on the headlight plastics for a few years now. I know about the documented issue but due to problems with one of my local dealers I'm not eligible for replacement under the factory program. My question is if I pay for new headlight housings do I need to worry about the replacements hazing, or can I polish them out and fix the issue? I am looking for a permanent fix and not something I have to repeat every year or so.

 

[Diver Deuce]

I have a 2011 that I've dealt with hazing/fogging on the headlight plastics for a few years now. I know about the documented issue but due to problems with one of my local dealers I'm not eligible for replacement under the factory program. My question is if I pay for new headlight housings do I need to worry about the replacements hazing, or can I polish them out and fix the issue? I am looking for a permanent fix and not something I have to repeat every year or so.

The TSB covered you if you were under 36000 miles. Some people had success getting new headlights, but they ended up hazing anyway.

You could always try the "Antman Eyebrows"

 

[Bossman]

This thread, and the TSB it mentions in one of the early posts, seems to indicate that the newer headlight housings should reduce the impact of oxidation.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/119445-t-sb-0081-12-headlamp-surface-oxidation.html

Time will tell ... the sun beats the heck out of anything left outside for extended periods of time.

 

[TRDfan2011]

My dealer replaced my headlights 3 yrs ago because of condensation which I never noticed. It was due to a TSB. The replacements are showing signs of hazing. They look new after every wash & wax.

 

[MountainClimber78]

Yeah, the headlights won't be fixed under the TSB. Short story is that I brought the issue up to the dealer, it was never documented, and they won't fix it. Called Toyota customer care and, while they took the complaint, they ultimately turned me back over to the dealer that refused service.
So the end result is I pay out of pocket. The lights have gotten pretty bad and I need to either polish them, or replace them. I'd like a permanent fix so if anyone has had their lights replaced I'd like to know if the replacements oxidize the same way.

 

[comp_engineer]

My dealer replaced my headlights 3 yrs ago because of condensation which I never noticed. It was due to a TSB. The replacements are showing signs of hazing. They look new after every wash & wax.

Sounds like replacements won't be a long term fix.

 

[JPOVS]

Stop getting wax option at the gas station carwash. I believe this to be the cause.

 

[2011T4RLE]

I have a 2011 as well, and before I switched to the TE headlights, I used Turtle Wax polishing compound on mine and they honestly looked better than they did new. It does not take much to clean them up.

 

[Diver Deuce]

This thread, and the TSB it mentions in one of the early posts, seems to indicate that the newer headlight housings should reduce the impact of oxidation.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/119445-t-sb-0081-12-headlamp-surface-oxidation.html

Time will tell ... the sun beats the heck out of anything left outside for extended periods of time.

Hey look who was the OP on that one.

 

[MountainClimber78]

I have a 2011 as well, and before I switched to the TE headlights, I used Turtle Wax polishing compound on mine and they honestly looked better than they did new. It does not take much to clean them up.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll give it a shot.

 

[1000MPH]

About 4 years on my replacements and they're just beginning to become noticeable.
I've been doing a lot of desert driving so slightly hazy headlight plastic is the least of my worries. I have 1000's chips along the whole front of my truck: the hood, the plastic fascia, the headlights, even the black rubber parts are pockmarked. The plasti-dipped emblem is the only thing that has fared well.

 

[radical_reabster]

i always liked upgrading to performance or aftermarket assemblies anyways...

 

[FishSanderson]

I have a 2011 that I've dealt with hazing/fogging on the headlight plastics for a few years now. I know about the documented issue but due to problems with one of my local dealers I'm not eligible for replacement under the factory program. My question is if I pay for new headlight housings do I need to worry about the replacements hazing, or can I polish them out and fix the issue? I am looking for a permanent fix and not something I have to repeat every year or so.

My friend runs a PDR business. I took someone's car there for hazy plastic headlights. He wet sanded them down good, cleaned them up, then sprayed a clearcoat over the top. This was almost 10 years ago. Just saw the car a few months back and it is just now starting to haze a bit around the edges. The rest of the plastic is still very clear. Worth looking into, esp since you don't want to deal with it every year.

 

[MountainClimber78]

My friend runs a PDR business. I took someone's car there for hazy plastic headlights. He wet sanded them down good, cleaned them up, then sprayed a clearcoat over the top. This was almost 10 years ago. Just saw the car a few months back and it is just now starting to haze a bit around the edges. The rest of the plastic is still very clear. Worth looking into, esp since you don't want to deal with it every year.

Great idea! You don't happen to know what type of paint he used that bonded to the plastic, do you?

 

[FishSanderson]

Great idea! You don't happen to know what type of paint he used that bonded to the plastic, do you?

I do not recall. He did use some spray on it that assisted with adhesion, I want to say it was called mad dog or pitbull....some type of dog, but I do recall it being some adhesion promoter. Sorry I did not mention that in my previous post.

 

[nglayton]

I have a 2011 that I've dealt with hazing/fogging on the headlight plastics for a few years now. I know about the documented issue but due to problems with one of my local dealers I'm not eligible for replacement under the factory program. My question is if I pay for new headlight housings do I need to worry about the replacements hazing, or can I polish them out and fix the issue? I am looking for a permanent fix and not something I have to repeat every year or so.

I had my 2011 Trail headlights replaced via the TSB after about the first year. Now about 5 years later they are showing some signs of hazing again, but nothing like the original ones.

Also....you don't have to go back to the same dealership you bought the rig from, just try a different dealer and see what answers you can get.

 

[Jhalko]

Mine have been hazed for the better part of four years, maybe I'll change them at some point. Headlights still work at night though!