1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Headlights, how do I fix this...?

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Solid Snake, Jun 20, 2021.

  1. Jun 20, 2021 at 4:58 PM
    #1
    Solid Snake

    Solid Snake [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2021
    Member:
    #63877
    Messages:
    681
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2006 AC 4x4 V8
    So, my newly acquired 2006 Tundra has headlights that are "frosted over" from age. How do I fix this? Is there a way to clean them? Or do I have to replace them?

    headlight.jpg
     
    DarkMint likes this.
  2. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:02 PM
    #2
    Kelvin

    Kelvin New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2020
    Member:
    #43483
    Messages:
    286
    Replacing would be the easiest. If you’ve got the skill you can sand and clear it. Or for a quick fix you can polish.
     
    DaWhiteTundra and Rex Kramer like this.
  3. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:02 PM
    #3
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 I'm here to break shit

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2020
    Member:
    #53606
    Messages:
    735
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Yukon Cornelius
    Way up thar
    Vehicle:
    2000 AC Limited 4X4 4.7L
    Deadpool Edition
    I'd replace them with aftermarket, not very expensive.
     
  4. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:02 PM
    #4
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2019
    Member:
    #25875
    Messages:
    11,789
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Noah
    Western Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tundra V8 SR5 '03 Corolla Virus
    I used this on my corolla with some succes.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084RQKLV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_XYM3V8PT345QHFRNR14C?_encoding=UTF8
     
  5. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:05 PM
    #5
    Glock 40

    Glock 40 I'm here to break shit

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2020
    Member:
    #53606
    Messages:
    735
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Yukon Cornelius
    Way up thar
    Vehicle:
    2000 AC Limited 4X4 4.7L
    Deadpool Edition
  6. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:06 PM
    #6
    PenderBen

    PenderBen Forum lurker…

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2019
    Member:
    #32072
    Messages:
    409
    Gulf Islands, BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2003 Tundra AC 4x4
    There are various headlight refinishing kits out there, basically different buffing setups.
    Something like this, https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...vh0rfaqRBsGpIJFH6FBoCV0MQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
    They are a temporary fix at best and won’t look like new but will be pretty clear. I have done similar fixes many times (not that specific one, that’s just the first one I saw), you will need to redo it from time to time, I did mine about 2 years ago and they’re ready to be done again.
     
    N84434 likes this.
  7. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:11 PM
    #7
    Ebeast

    Ebeast New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2020
    Member:
    #56008
    Messages:
    113
    Vehicle:
    2021 Super White Tundra SR5
    Lift Front: Eibach Pro Stage 2 coilovers set at 2.5 Rear: Eibach Shocks. Deavers 3 leaf progressive pack added to stock leafs 1.5 Tires: Falken Wildpeaks AT3 295/70R18 Bed Rack: KB Voodoo High rise bars. RTT: Tuffstuff overland Ranger Tent
    Start by cleaning the headlights with soap and water. Then get a tube of toothpaste that has the baking soda in it. Get a soft bristle brush or a toothbrush and rub it in then wash off.
     
    Darkness likes this.
  8. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:39 PM
    #8
    jimf909

    jimf909 Battery almost dead...

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2021
    Member:
    #57786
    Messages:
    368
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Washington or Idaho
    Vehicle:
    '03 Tundra SR5 AC 4.7 TRD w/LSD
    Dead stock with oem 16" starfish wheels. We'll see how long that lasts. :) Topper of unknown origin.
    Headlights have always been a wear item. Previously for bulbs that went bad, nowadays for plastic that can't handle the sun. My PO had a fenderbender so the insurance company paid for replacing the aftermarket headlight with a genuine Toyota part. When I got the truck I could see a difference (small but noticeable) so I replaced the other after market headlight with a Toyota part. I doubt it's worth the additional $150 for the Toyota part from a lighting perspective, but from my OCD perspective I can rest better with two matching parts.

    For the price of aftermarket assemblies I'd just replace instead of trying to buff it out if you're keeping it for more than a year or two.
     
    Glock 40 likes this.
  9. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:51 PM
    #9
    Sirfive

    Sirfive Master Procrastinator

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2021
    Member:
    #58078
    Messages:
    3,493
    Gender:
    Male
    SATX
    Vehicle:
    ‘02 AC TRD
    Bassani cat-back
    I usually polish mine once or twice a month. The yellow doesnt go away, but the fog does.
     
  10. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:51 PM
    #10
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7181
    Messages:
    6,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2002 4.7L RCLB 4X4 2007 5.7L RCSB 4X2
    I replaced mine with new OEM housings.
     
    pock, jimf909 and Tundra2 like this.
  11. Jun 20, 2021 at 5:53 PM
    #11
    Gravy

    Gravy Cat herder, ASCM #π

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2021
    Member:
    #58774
    Messages:
    730
    Gender:
    Male
    Yucaipa, California
    Vehicle:
    2008 White DC 4x4, Limited TRD
    OME Nitrocharger/2612 (front), Bilstein 5100s (rear). Vanguard roll bar modified (by me) to fit over Patriot Stealth retractable tonneau. Aftermarket halo headlights with HID, various LED bulb replacements. 17" Fuel Blitz wheels with some 33" Nitto terra grapplers. Hoodscoop, nfab nerfbars, Bushwacker flares. No-name aftermarket grille, led fender extensions. Black Horse bambi-basher. Various offroad lights.
  12. Jun 20, 2021 at 6:02 PM
    #12
    Tundra2

    Tundra2 Zoinked

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2019
    Member:
    #25875
    Messages:
    11,789
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Noah
    Western Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    '00 Tundra V8 SR5 '03 Corolla Virus
    I did the same on my truck when I was fed up with my projectors.
     
    Rex Kramer[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Jun 20, 2021 at 7:58 PM
    #13
    Hotdog

    Hotdog New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2021
    Member:
    #64449
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra Dbl cab
    This is what I did : bought a can of 2K clear coat the kind that has the 2 stage hardener inside a capsule within the aerosol can . Tape off around headlight lens. Wet sand with 400grit, 500grit, 800 grit, 1000 grit, 1500 grit. Dont have to kill yourself just a good thorough scrub with every grit. Clean it all off. Spray with 2 coats of the clearcoat. It looks as good as new.
     
    Darkness, HBTundra and 2006 Tundra AC like this.
  14. Jun 21, 2021 at 8:43 AM
    #14
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    I did a similar thing with my Fogs (Acrylic Assys). Used Rustoleum Acryic Shpray from big box ($8) and looks good! Did the same basic prep as you with sand and clean. I’ll keep in mind your idea on the 2Stage for the head assy in the future.

    New aftermarket headlight assys are nice in the $120-150 range.
     
    Hotdog[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Jun 21, 2021 at 8:50 AM
    #15
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
    Member:
    #17315
    Messages:
    9,976
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Luis
    All over SoCal
    Vehicle:
    The darkest
    It's really dark
    If I'm not mistaken its pretty hard to find aftermarket replacements for 05/06 access cabs. They have a different molding than prior years where the turn signals are.

    I would try the cleaning route first. Toothpaste works but you'll need some sort of sealant after. I have yet to try the clear coat method. I have used a few different restoration kits, most last a month or two. McGuire lasted almost a year because they include a polish that protects the plastic.

    I might try that Cerakote since it is @Tundra2 endorsed. I would replace mine except I did an HID retrofit. I had to do it while my wife was out of town, can't risk her seeing me throw headlights in her oven.
     
  16. Jun 21, 2021 at 8:57 AM
    #16
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    Yeah. I polished my OEM Headlights back in 2010 with temporary success. Did it again and didn’t last but 1/2 as long.

    I say do the @Hotdog Shpray 2K Technique and see how she rolls.
     
    Hotdog likes this.
  17. Jun 21, 2021 at 9:04 AM
    #17
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    Before pic is with prep done prior to shpray.

    After pic is after Acrylic Shpray. You’ll notice some crackling going on (probs from Acetone Cleaning) but the Lens is so much clearer and has held for 2 years well. I could always sand it back down and redo in the 2k but it still looks good from 10 ft.

    upload_2021-6-21_12-3-7.jpg

    upload_2021-6-21_12-3-39.jpg
     
    Beefnbread, Darkness and Glock 40 like this.
  18. Jun 21, 2021 at 1:09 PM
    #18
    Solid Snake

    Solid Snake [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2021
    Member:
    #63877
    Messages:
    681
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2006 AC 4x4 V8
    Thanks for all the input. I'm seeing polishing kits on shelves. Never knew that was a thing since this is the first vehicle I've owned that had this issue. I think I'll try that first.
     
  19. Jun 21, 2021 at 4:35 PM
    #19
    AWilliams

    AWilliams New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2017
    Member:
    #11604
    Messages:
    163
    Gender:
    Male
    Are some aftermarket replacements better than others on the Amazon & ebay for an 03?
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #19
  20. Jun 21, 2021 at 6:11 PM
    #20
    assassin10000

    assassin10000 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Member:
    #54157
    Messages:
    1,866
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Northern CA
    Vehicle:
    '05 SR5 AC
    Remote start alarm Removed keyless entry piezo Qi phone charger & dash mount Subaru underseat subwoofer Hopkins Easylift Steering wheel audio controls No-tenna mod 3/4 adhesive anti-rattle shim D/S door
    I'd go the wetsand and 2k (UV rated) clear coat route. The OEM headlights seem to have the best optics and adjustments, unless going for a complete retrofit.
     
    Hotdog likes this.
  21. Jun 21, 2021 at 6:32 PM
    #21
    Buildn

    Buildn 2022 Tundra Limited CM 6.5 Bed TRD Off Road

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2017
    Member:
    #8630
    Messages:
    911
    Gender:
    Male
    Medina, Ohio
    TRD Air Filters, Front door windows tinted to match the rears. Wheel locks, Talons Garage cat shield, Tyger Automotive soft tonneau cover, WeatherTech floor mats with Tuff Skinz Custom Emblem kit, Toyota OEM Emblem Black Out kit. AVS vent covers on all four doors, Red Tundra letters on front bumper & TRD highlighted in Red on front grille. Tailgate Tundra Letters in Black.
    I had great results with Turtle Wax’s headlight restore kit. Small amount of money with awesome results!

    I would use masking tape around the lens to help protect the metal painted surfaces.

    AAEC4863-7C87-4C17-A182-D17B4D142F1E.jpg
     
  22. Jun 21, 2021 at 6:52 PM
    #22
    Twowheelssoar

    Twowheelssoar New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2020
    Member:
    #56308
    Messages:
    71
    Gender:
    Male
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2021 Cement SR5 6-Seater
    I’ve had success with some polishing compound and a wax applicator pad. Just keep going until it’s clear, wipe with a wet microfiber rag. If you still see haze, repeat.

    That combo will also remove the fingernail scratches that develop under your door handles.
     
  23. Jun 21, 2021 at 7:45 PM
    #23
    onesojourner

    onesojourner Here, let me derail that for you

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2020
    Member:
    #52951
    Messages:
    1,524
    SW MO
    Vehicle:
    06 DBLcab LTD 4x4
    polish and sealing is the best option. Aftermarket housing are inferior. The optics are junk compared to OEM. Cut off lines are much less sharp.
     
    HBTundra and DaWhiteTundra like this.
  24. Jun 21, 2021 at 7:56 PM
    #24
    jimf909

    jimf909 Battery almost dead...

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2021
    Member:
    #57786
    Messages:
    368
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jim
    Washington or Idaho
    Vehicle:
    '03 Tundra SR5 AC 4.7 TRD w/LSD
    Dead stock with oem 16" starfish wheels. We'll see how long that lasts. :) Topper of unknown origin.
    This sounds like good advice. My only suggestion is to say that removing the headlight assembly is relatively easy so consider removing for easy handling, repositioning and avoidance of the tape, untape step.

    FWIW, YMMV.
     
    HBTundra and Hotdog[QUOTED] like this.
  25. Jun 21, 2021 at 7:57 PM
    #25
    CNE0207

    CNE0207 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2019
    Member:
    #40024
    Messages:
    289
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Arvada, CO
    Vehicle:
    2020 Cement CM Limited
    Wet sand em… then compound em. I like the 3M products for these things. Or check out certifit… they typically have good deals
     
  26. Jun 22, 2021 at 10:29 AM
    #26
    Baller

    Baller New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2018
    Member:
    #17275
    Messages:
    734
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '05 Tundra SR5 DC
    I'm not sure what other experiences have been with sanding and using different compounds as far as longevity, but mine wasn't ever great. I've got an old Accord that I'd sand and compound and wax and they never stayed clear for more than a couple months. After that I'd have to do it again. Save yourself the repeated work every few months and buy new buckets. I'm glad I finally did for my Honda. Below is the difference between new and old. I've had the buckets since Nov and they still look new.

    [​IMG]
     
  27. Jun 22, 2021 at 12:08 PM
    #27
    Hotdog

    Hotdog New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2021
    Member:
    #64449
    Messages:
    14
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tundra Dbl cab
    This is why it's better to use a 2k clear coat. Better UV and scratch resistance.
     
  28. Jun 22, 2021 at 1:30 PM
    #28
    Nueces

    Nueces New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2020
    Member:
    #55645
    Messages:
    43
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 AC
    I had a good outcome from polishing my 2002 foglight lenses. My experience with various of these huge plastic headlamp assemblies is that they can be brilliantly polished on the outside, which then leaves the inaccessible inside haze more visible. I bought the truck last December and the lenses were nearly opaque. I first installed some aftermarket units from Amazon and found the light pattern lousy. Sprang for a pair of OEM replacements, which have been perfect. I also put in a Susquehanna Motorsports headlight harness and 2.0/+100% Hella bulbs. Since my see-in-the-dark card was revoked at age 65, I need the lumens.
     
  29. Jun 23, 2021 at 6:12 AM
    #29
    smokey0810

    smokey0810 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2019
    Member:
    #23907
    Messages:
    486
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '03 Tundra SR5 AC 4WD
    Best kit I ever used from the parts store was the Sylvania Kit. When you register it, it comes with a lifetime warranty (which they honor). One of the issues I found was that when the car wash sprayed their bug & tar remover on the headlights, it also removed the clear coat.
    SO, I replaced the headlights with new aftermarket ones.
     
  30. Jun 23, 2021 at 9:34 AM
    #30
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors

    Agreed. New Assys, too.

    upload_2021-6-23_12-34-27.jpg
     
To Top