Same old headlights - just like the 4th gen

Cleaning the '20 today and noticed what I thought were water spots on the top (horizontal) surface of the headlights. Nope. It's the protective coating peeling off. I just don't understand why Toyota can't get this shit right - same thing happened to my '06 and '07 Tacomas, and my '08 4Runner. Next up - fairly soon - is all of the coating peeling off in sheets, the lenses turning yellow then white. There are three of these spots the size of a 50 cent piece on the passenger side, two on the driver's. Total garbage.

Truck spends weekdays in a parking garage, and nights/weekends uncovered. It's never been in a drive through car wash and has never been in an spray car wash. Hand wash by me only. Hard to believe a 3 1/2 year old vehicle is already having these problems.

Apologies for the pic quality - my phone refused to focus on the lenses.

 

Mine are the same with my 19 which is why I decided on Alpharex. I just need to actually install them.

Seems like the OEM lights have little or no UV resistance.

 

There are products available for headlight UV protection. Has anyone used them successfully on 4Rs?

 

I use Chemical Guys Hydro Slick ceramic... seems to be working so far

 

Really fucking pathetic that Toyota hasn't figured this out yet. But then again, they've had shit paint since 2005 and haven't figured that out either.

 

Well in fairness we can’t rely on the manufacturer to make anything that lasts anymore. I wanted to film wrap the lights but here we are in 2023 and I haven’t done it.

I do want to have the Alpharex lights wrapped.

 

The headlights on my '98 Durango sure as shit haven't peeled apart. And the paint's clear coat hasn't come off in sheets either. Toyota may have good drivetrains but everything surrounding it is subpar. When I finally get tired of this '20 (which, as this point, might not be too far off) I'm going to seriously consider another brand.

 

My 03 Ranger lights definitely didn’t have issues. My 2010 Tacoma had melted DTRL lenses.

 

Bummer, headlight assemblies on my 18’ are fine maybe cause they are covered with 3M film. Part of my clear bra.

 

the flat top of the headlights may have a design purpose but it is the worst in getting hit by UV when parked outdoors.

 

I use P&S Bead Maker at least once a month on the headlights to help prevent this from happening. So far no issues


(I agree, for the price tag Toyota puts on these cars this shouldn’t happen.)

 

I have some 3M PPF lying around that is supposed to have UV protection. Think I'll protect the top part of the lights to hopefully avoid this.