Headlight oxidation

[16FujiDisco]

Sitting at 106k miles now and the headlight lenses are starting to show signs of oxidation on the top bevel portion only. What is everyone doing; repairing or replacing?

Since it’s not on the main portion yet I dont feel like wet sanding and re-clearing the whole thing. I also don’t want to spend $700+ per side for good replacements.

Are we OK using eBay chineasium? Can we replace just the lenses only?

I also saw defender style replacements on eBay that look interesting; still a little pricey, and I don’t trust the quality.

 

[Rover Range]

Headlight restoration companies can fix you up.
They sand off all the oxidized layers then buff it out smooth.
Do NOT waste your money on the parts store headlight restoration kits. They don't work.

 

[Pfunk951]

...Also!

Grab a roll of 3M protective film (don't get the pre-cut, too expensive and these headlights are easy) and wrap them after you get them polished out.. The smartest thing I ever did with my rig was put it on the week I bought it, 130k miles and the are still AS NEW. It's really easy to apply, great at road rash prevention and full UV protection (which you're going to strip off when polishing out the haze)..

Good luck!

MP

 

[itsaguything]

Those films work well… but a UV, clear coat paint job will last longer.

 

[txfromwi]

I use paste wax, plenty of it.

 

[f1racer328]

I’ve gone down the headlight refinishing rabbit hole a few times.

Best option is to refinish them, then clear coat them, and then also PPF them with high quality film. Bonus points for sealant/ceramic coating on top of the PPF.

 

[MellonRover]

Just did mine with a Sylvania branded kit. Two weeks ago. Have used 3m, Sylvania has lifetime warranty against re yellowing.

 

[16FujiDisco]

There was an old thread about someone replacing the lenses after hitting a deer; are these a straightforward heat/pry/replace, or are they like some of the RR lenses that require cutting the lenses off essentially.