My headlamps only 2014 are shot. One is decent, the other developed minor moisture inside that renders it never to be as effective as it was when new- and I’m very good with restoring headlights (the exterior). A friend suggested that they could be taken apart with a heat gun, cleaned, and then resealed. It sounds cheap- but I think it might not turn out as great as I want it to. I was all set to buy some new ones on Amazon or similar, but a friend just shared with me his experience with some from RockAuto, where they looked beautiful and new- and then also developed moisture inside within weeks! Any good brands/sites for the buck, or other hacks, advice with headlights?
If you want assurance, buy them from Toyota. Or reseal them. Usually something cracked allowing water to get in. Maybe taking them apart, cleaning them up, and then sealing them firmly. Though it would seem to me to be hard to find the leak. The plastic could be cracked anywhere. Most places you purchase from have a warranty, usually 1 year. Just find one that has the longest warranty and get them from that place. If they mess up, you have the wararnty to fall back on. And in the mean time, you can work on your oem ones. Maybe using a sealant on the whole assembly?
I read somewhere that lamps are suppose to have a vent, most of them anyway. That seems odd, seems like you want them airtight. You read all kids of stuff on the internet tho. I left my car running a few moments ago and came out and noticed the reflection in the headlamp from the bulb. Terrible. Is this normal? This is the good side. In my defense, I think I ran out of the sealant last time I cleaned these, so it is time again, but man this is bad.
They're vented, heat from the halogen or HID bulbs should dissipate/evaporate any internal moisture. I've seen idiots reseal headlamps the looked like fish bowls afterwards. They sealed up the vents on the bottom of the lamps, instead of concentrating on the top portions, where water would seep-in. I've resealed my tail lamps by placing a bead of silicon tub caulk across the top and side seams. No more leaks or fogging.
Might be time for replacement.... Then take these try to fix them...... Can't hurt to try after replacing them...
