2003 Toyota Highlander plastic lens covers dulled

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
160,000 MILES • V6 • AWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
MSAPRO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
all my toyotas have plastic covers over the headlights. The older cars are the worst - very dulled and grey. Light does not come throught them very well. I've cleaned and polished them with lots of things and have gotten them a little better, but I see that they are also dirty on the inside. so how do I remove the plastic covers so that I can clean them?
Oct 2, 2014 at 5:49 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 31,937 POSTS
The problem with these is you can't remove the lens, best option is a commercial lens cleaning kit you can get them at auto stores, if the inside of the lens is dirty, there will be a leak in the seal, but these are bonded on and cant be removed for cleaning.
Oct 2, 2014 at 6:25 AM
Avatar
MSAPRO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
What about my 97 Avalon - is that the same situation? is the cover bonded on?
Oct 2, 2014 at 6:29 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 31,937 POSTS
should be bonded, frankly I have never seen an acrylic cover that had been removable.
Oct 2, 2014 at 6:30 AM
Avatar
MSAPRO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
that figures - why make something simple.
Thanks for your help
Oct 2, 2014 at 6:31 AM
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 31,937 POSTS
Yes cheap to make and thought for the end user, just typical of the throw away society we live in these days.
Oct 2, 2014 at 2:15 PM
Avatar
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
MY PALS TRUCK HEADLIGHT LENS' WERE DIRTY ON THE INSIDE (DIRTY, NOT FOGGED BY THE SUN)

ALTHOUGH IT WAS A PAIN IN THE BUTT, HE REMOVED THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY AND POURED IN SOME "INVISIBLE GLASS CLEANER" THRU THE LAMP SOCKET HOLE AND SHOOK IT ALL AROUND

THIS HELPED, BUT HE WAS NOT SATISFIED, SO HE FED A SMALL PIECE OF CLOTH (FROM A JOGGING SHIRT) INTO THE HOLE, AND USED A DOWEL TO SORTA WIPE IT AROUND. HE FISHED THE CLOTH OUT WITH NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS. REPEATED SHAKING THE CLEANER IN THERE BY ITSELF. HE DUMPED IT OUT AND LET IT DRY. THIS HELPED QUITE A BIT.

I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO SAVE UP $80 FOR BOTH OF THEM

WACHA THINK?

THE MEDIC

Oct 2, 2014 at 4:14 PM
Avatar
MHPAUTOS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 31,937 POSTS
I would be carful about trying to clean the inside of the lens with liquid cleaners, any residue that you can't get out will condense on the inside of the lens with the heat of the globe, as they are sealed and only accessible with the globe and outer seal removed any moisture can't escape and the condensation on the inside of the lens will cause just as much grief as dirty lens.
Oct 3, 2014 at 2:01 AM