Dirty headlight covers?!

[Fatal-NJ]

I've had my '04 SE for about 3 months now and I've noticed that alot of dirt and dust is starting to build up around the inside lens of my headlights! It's starting to get pretty noticable now and I really want to clean it but I'm not really sure how to take it out. I saw another '04 in a parking lot and I noticed that their lenses are starting to have a lot of dust collect too! Anyone else have this problem?

[TW85]

Have had my Solara since November 1st. It has only been washed twice and I do not notice any build up. But, my car is heavily covered with pollen and I have not closely looked.

[mattyboyl]

I have noticed that too and it is annoying. If anyone can post how to take these off to get cleaned, I would appreciate it. I don't understand how dust gets caught up in a brand new lens unless it's not air tight. Keep me posted because I have the same problem.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

are you sure its not scratches and its dirt inside teh car. I know a lot of 7th gen celica owners think the same..until they try PlastX. I tried it and was happy with the results.

[mattyboyl]

Can you get Plastix at any auto part store like Pep Boys or Auto Zone?

[Fatal-NJ]

It's definately on the inside of the lens. It's only noticeable at night though, not during the day.

[howd]

I have seen a similar condition and I want to try and help out. I am curious when you noticed this condition? Please bear with my questions and let me know all you can.

Just after washing? What is your typical driving condition? Was the car running? Were the headlights on/off - lo/hi? Low-beam area? High-beam area? Can you see this condition with the headlights off? Is it the same day or night?

Let me know what you can and I hope to be able to offer some assistance.

[mattyboyl]

Here are the answers to the quiz. even though some were a bit od, I answwered them anyway to see where you were going with this.


Just after washing? Yes What is your typical driving condition? city/highway Was the car running? Yes/No Were the headlights on/off -On lo/hi? lo Low-beam area?yes High-beam area? yes Can you see this condition with the headlights off? no Is it the same day or night? yes

Let me know what you can and I hope to be able to offer some assistance.[/quote]

[howd]

Thanks for your answers. It helps me to understand the condition you are experiencing. And, sorry I haven't replied sooner.

Unfortunately there is currently no way to avoid this issue. You cannot remove and clean the inside of the lens and no matter how clean and polished the outside (or inside for that matter) of the lens is you will still see this condition.

The answer comes down to physics. For every plastic lens, some degree of light trying to pass through it will get either absorbed or reflected (about 7% total). You will see this condition on every headlamp with a plastic lens but it gets amplified when there is a projector beam because the light is so concentrated where is passes throught the outer lens.

If we can come up with a better material, or other cure, we will get it into the market ASAP. Or we could go back to glass for the outer lens (better transmission). Sorry I coudn't help you with a good cure for now.

[slingshot]

That's a very silly answer to the dirty inside headlight cover question. It doesn't even address why it is dirty. My headlights have the same issue. You can clearly see at night when the headlights are on that the inside of the plastic is dirty. I've cleaned the outside to no effect. It's annoying looking especially when your car is spotlessly clean.

[howd]

Basically, I was trying to explain that the headlight covers are not dirty. If you were able to clean and polish the inside of the outer lens, the condition you are seeing would still be there. It's the beam of light causing the lens to "look" dirty because of the absorbtion and inner reflections. There is no perfect lens material.

If it was actually dirty,you would be able to see it during the day with the lights turned off.

[slingshot]

I'm not buying that answer at all. You can't see it unless light from inside is showing the dirt. How come no other cars look dirty on the inside when lit by headlights? Are you trying to tell me the plastic on the Solara is totally unique? I doubt it.

[slingshot]

Howd,
How come they went with plastic instead of glass? I thought most or all headlight covers were glass.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

In america a lot of headlight covers are plastic, elsewhere, they are made of a harder plastic (almost glass like). Since Solara was north american...i'm guerssing they went plastic!

[howd]

Most headlight outer lenses are made of plastic. It is polycarbonate, a very hard, durable plastic. It is protected with a hardcoat (like a paint) to avoid scratches, stone chips and discoloration from sun exposure. This is the same for anywhere in the world. You will see a mark on the back of the headlight to indicate the material of any component, like this: >PC< (for polycarbonate). This is done for recycleability.

Plastics give us the ability to make the awsome, styled lamp shapes (like the Solara) possible. Remember the old sealed-beam glass type. You could have any variation as long as it was round or rectangular. Plastics as also a huge weight savings which help with fuel efficiency.

Take a look at any projector-type headlight (halogen and HID) and you will see the same "haze" condition. It is more apparent in this type of beam pattern because the losses (inner reflections and absorbtion) are concentrated into a small area (where the beam passes thru the outer lens). A regular reflector-type headlight has the same losses, but it is spread out over a larger area. If you look close enough, you can still see it.

Again, if it was actually dirty,you would be able to see it during the day with the lights turned off.