DIY Headlight Restoration with Pics ('00 Avalon) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums


» Auto Insurance
» Featured Product
» Wheel & Tire Center

Go Back   Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums > Toyota Passenger and Sports Car Forums > Avalon Forum > 2nd Generation (2000-2004)

2nd Generation (2000-2004) Specific discussion of the second generation Toyota Avalon

ToyotaNation.com is the premier Toyota Forum on the internet. Registered Users do not see the above ads.
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-12-2011, 08:23 PM   #1 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
DIY Headlight Restoration with Pics ('00 Avalon)

This is a DIY Headlight Restoration, Its about an hour to 2 hours job (Depends on condition of your headlights and YOU) I took my time, it took me about 2 hours. This isn't a hard job to do, pretty easy but I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES YOU DONE ON YOUR CAR/HEADLIGHTS, DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK

Before Restoration:
Sorry about the sideway and upside down camera view, I recorded with iPhone didn't know the way i held it will make it that way



After:





You will need:
Bucket filled with water

1000 Grit Sandpaper (You can get these sandpapers at autozone,homedepot)
1500 Grit Sandpaper
2000 Grit Sandpaper
2500 Grit Sandpaper
3000 Grit Sandpaper (Optional, I didnt use this one)

Masking tape
Meguiars PlastX
Microfiber towel
Microfiber buffer

1) Fill bucket with water and place half of the (ALL)sandpaper in the bucket.

2)Tape up around your headlights:



3) Start Sanding with the lowest Grit and gadually go up grits. I started at 1000 for 5 mins ---> 2000 for 5 mins ---->2500 for 7 mins. MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE HEADLIGHT AND SANDPAPER WET WHILE SANDING!!

4)Then it should look like this when you finish step #3:





5) Dry the headlights with the microfiber.
6) Apply the PlastX then evenly spread it out with your hand/fingers or the microfiber buffer.



7) Let it dry for about 5 mins then wipe it down with the microfiber towel or dry hands (I used my hands because it leave this clear oil-like coat on the headlights but if i use the towel, is not as clear and hazy)



The finish product:




Last edited by KoG506; 03-12-2011 at 09:45 PM.
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
Old 03-12-2011, 09:10 PM   #2 (permalink)
New TN User
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: TX
Posts: 26
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View whanner's Photo Gallery
looks great!
whanner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2011, 09:37 PM   #3 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
BiXLL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chippewa Twp. Pa.
Posts: 146
Thanks: 4
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View BiXLL's Photo Gallery
very nice job!
__________________
2002 Avalon XLS
2004 Nissan Titan SE
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
BiXLL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2011, 09:52 PM   #4 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by whanner View Post
looks great!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BiXLL View Post
very nice job!

Thank you!

I will be doing my dads '04 Sienna headlights tomorrow morning, if the weather is good, and I will post a before and after pics!

Didn't do this morning, it was 33 degrees outside. too cold

Last edited by KoG506; 03-13-2011 at 02:13 PM.
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-20-2011, 03:13 PM   #5 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
I forgot to take a BEFORE pics, but it was coated with yellow/green-ish.

Here are the pics of '04 Sienna XLE:





__________________
My '00 Headlight Restoration tutorial with pics! Check it out ------> http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=375075
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2011, 10:43 PM   #6 (permalink)
The Spirited Driver
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston/Dallas/New Orleans
Posts: 169
Thanks: 16
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View avalonshoe's Photo Gallery
It's coated with a clear UV film that peels off after time. I think you might have taken it off when you sanded everything down. Did you paint on any clear coating on it afterwards? Let me know how long it holds up. I've been waiting to do mine but needed to find something to coat the lens after sanding it down.
avalonshoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2011, 11:07 PM   #7 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by avalonshoe View Post
It's coated with a clear UV film that peels off after time. I think you might have taken it off when you sanded everything down. Did you paint on any clear coating on it afterwards? Let me know how long it holds up. I've been waiting to do mine but needed to find something to coat the lens after sanding it down.

I did not paint any clear coat after wards. just buffed the PlastX on the headlights. but the clear coat is a good idea
__________________
My '00 Headlight Restoration tutorial with pics! Check it out ------> http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=375075
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2011, 07:02 AM   #8 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
BiXLL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chippewa Twp. Pa.
Posts: 146
Thanks: 4
Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View BiXLL's Photo Gallery
In my experiance with wheels, it is the clearcoat that ends up turning yellow, and/or peels off. On the headlight application if there is a clearcoat on them, I would not replace it, I would simply be sure to stay on top of the headlights so far as using plastx or other plastic polish.
__________________
2002 Avalon XLS
2004 Nissan Titan SE
2011 Hyundai Sonata SE
BiXLL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2011, 05:46 PM   #9 (permalink)
The Spirited Driver
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston/Dallas/New Orleans
Posts: 169
Thanks: 16
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View avalonshoe's Photo Gallery
hazing is caused by UV damaging the lenses, so i think thats manufacturers put a UV protectant clear coat on the lense as opposed to making the entire lense polycarbonate (which is inherent UV resistant) bc it would be too expensive.

Just let me know how long it holds up, if i'm wrong when im gonna refinish my lens asap!
avalonshoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2011, 11:47 PM   #10 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by avalonshoe View Post
hazing is caused by UV damaging the lenses, so i think thats manufacturers put a UV protectant clear coat on the lense as opposed to making the entire lense polycarbonate (which is inherent UV resistant) bc it would be too expensive.

Just let me know how long it holds up, if i'm wrong when im gonna refinish my lens asap!
As off today, headlights look new. no hazing/dull . and it been in the sunlight all summer.
__________________
My '00 Headlight Restoration tutorial with pics! Check it out ------> http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=375075
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to KoG506 For This Useful Post:
avalonshoe (08-10-2011)
Old 08-10-2011, 11:57 PM   #11 (permalink)
The Spirited Driver
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston/Dallas/New Orleans
Posts: 169
Thanks: 16
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View avalonshoe's Photo Gallery
Thanks! I can't refinish my lenses now since someone hit into my car and broke my lamp + retrofit... Real bummer i dont have time to do another retro. It looks retarded with one side halogen and the other HID though ...
avalonshoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2011, 01:03 PM   #12 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by avalonshoe View Post
Thanks! I can't refinish my lenses now since someone hit into my car and broke my lamp + retrofit... Real bummer i dont have time to do another retro. It looks retarded with one side halogen and the other HID though ...
Glad you okay!

I need to retrofit mine,not for sure exactly how it will look or like it. i saw some pics but need more pics.

Quote:
Originally Posted by avalonshoe View Post
It looks retarded with one side halogen and the other HID though ...
^^ sorry i thought it was funny. but im guessing you are going to leave it the way it is? halogen and HID? or buy another headlight and do Halogen and halogen?
__________________
My '00 Headlight Restoration tutorial with pics! Check it out ------> http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=375075
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2011, 10:50 AM   #13 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
The headlights as of today. Its dirty (whole car needs a wash). It been in the sun all summer for over 3+ months. and no yellowing/oxidization .


__________________
My '00 Headlight Restoration tutorial with pics! Check it out ------> http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=375075
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2012, 11:39 PM   #14 (permalink)
New TN User
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: canada
Posts: 6
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View Lexusfan007's Photo Gallery
the sandpaper you used is any kind right..there is no specific sandpaper for headlight? thanks
Lexusfan007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2012, 08:07 AM   #15 (permalink)
Official TN Member
 
KoG506's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 216
Thanks: 15
Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts
iTrader Score: 0 reviews
View KoG506's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lexusfan007 View Post
the sandpaper you used is any kind right..there is no specific sandpaper for headlight? thanks
You HAVE to get the 1500, 2000, 2500 grit sandpaper. The sand paper is very fine and smooth, not rough.
__________________
My '00 Headlight Restoration tutorial with pics! Check it out ------> http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=375075
KoG506 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
Reply

  Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums > Toyota Passenger and Sports Car Forums > Avalon Forum > 2nd Generation (2000-2004)

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:30 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.