04 2500HD foggy headlight lens

CTM · December 27, 2016

I've been spending the last few winters in Florida, and last year I noticed that the drivers side headlight lens turned yellowish and really cloudy. There was a local guy who did headlight restoring, and did a really nice job! Unfortunately, it only lasted for several months.

What's really strange is that the passenger light is perfectly clear and white looking!

I bought one of those restore kits for 10 bucks, and did it again myself the other day. It came out ok, but I'm not expecting it to last.

I tried doing a search on this forum, but nothing came up. I'm wondering what other people have done to remedy this situation other then replace the whole unit.

The other thing related, is the driving lights started showing water and moisture on the inside of the lens.

Could this be gaskets going bad, and if so, can they be replaced without replacing the whole unit?

Anyone have an idea to why only one headlight turned this way, and not the other?

The truck is in almost mint condition for its age, and this is really annoying to look at!

RoarinRow · December 27, 2016

I got a set of 4 upper and lower set of lights for my 2002 at Amazon for $69.00.

I did try to restore them. It worked fine on the upper set of lights but not the lower. Plus, the lower lights had condensation so decided to replace upper and lower to match in newness.

In addition I had already replaced the fog lights because the lens just basically cracked and fell off the housing.

Formulabruce · December 28, 2016

The FIX..

Wet sand with 400 grit till its clear with a rinse ( use Black Wet/Dry paper)

Buy some 2K in a can CLEAR Coat from Eastwood ( wipe with an alcohol pad and a Lint free cloth, and spray it in the shade and let it dry, give it a short tack coat, then in 15 min go for a wet coat.

You NEED the 2K ( 2 part) Clear to make it durable and UV resistant...

This will last 10 years if you use a 2K clear coat. A more expensive way is to mix your own Glam clear and spray it with a HVLP paint gun...

ps There are videos on you tube how to use the 2k spray can Paints form Eastwood

CTM · December 28, 2016

Rolando, the lights that you got off of Amazon, were they used OEM, or aftermarket new made in China?

The reason I ask, is that I saw a pair of the uppers new made in China on Amazon for $40, and they got terrible reviews!

New OEM from GM are about $ 150 each!

Formulabruce, I did see some of the youtube videos, plus the guy that did the first restoration did exactly what you suggested, I watched him. It lasted maybe 6 months!

I guess I'll just have to give in and buy a new headlamp for that side, but there must be a way to re-seal the driving lights?

And I still don't understand why only one headlight would get this way and not the other, considering both were exposed to the same environment for the last 12 years!

Thanks Charlie

RoarinRow · December 28, 2016

The ones I got from Amazon and not OEM but meet OE and DOT standards. The ones I found had good ratings. Seller is AUTOANDART. I would provide link but my work blocks me signing into this site.

CTM · December 28, 2016

The ones I got from Amazon and not OEM but meet OE and DOT standards. The ones I found had good ratings. Seller is AUTOANDART. I would provide link but my work blocks me signing into this site.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Formulabruce · December 29, 2016

Rolando, the lights that you got off of Amazon, were they used OEM, or aftermarket new made in China?

The reason I ask, is that I saw a pair of the uppers new made in China on Amazon for $40, and they got terrible reviews!

New OEM from GM are about $ 150 each!

Formulabruce, I did see some of the youtube videos, plus the guy that did the first restoration did exactly what you suggested, I watched him. It lasted maybe 6 months!

I guess I'll just have to give in and buy a new headlamp for that side, but there must be a way to re-seal the driving lights?

And I still don't understand why only one headlight would get this way and not the other, considering both were exposed to the same environment for the last 12 years!

Thanks Charlie

Charlie, the guy who did your Buff job, did NOT use a 2K paint, he used a cheap Spray bomb with clear. 2 part clear Urethane WILL last, it's what your truck is painted with... I would bet the cost of a whole NOSE for your truck he did NOT use REAL 2 part Urethane . But you seem to want new ones, and your talking yourself into it.....