DIY - Aftermarket HID Installation Toyota 2009 Rav4

This is a DIY on how to install aftermarket HID ballast and bulbs on a Toyota Rav4 2009

These are ebay products and a plug and go installation , On this model vehicle it has daytime running lights but they are on the high beam so no other modifications needed . As long as you have your headlight switch on AUTO all the lights will turn on and off . 

No need to remove any headlight assemblies or bumper , It is a matter of getting your small hands in the area and replacing it as you would a regular bulb .

Some vehicles the wires can be reveres so if your lights do not come on at first then turn the plug around , Then it is a matter of hiding or putting the ballast in a secure area .

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DIY - Headlight Restoration with 3M Kit

This is a DIY on how to clean your headlights the proper way .

In these I did them on two that we not so bad but still I have seen them on worst headlights then mine.

On another note I do not know the specific year but now cars come with a clear coat from the factory so this can take a long time to clean off the clear coat .

You will notice when you do this if your car had clear coat or not because the sand paper will not immediately haze that area . 

Make sure you use a battery drill and make sure you have extra batteries .

Clean headlight from any grease or dirt first .

Tape the area around the headlight or take them out if it is easier . You will notice the amount of sandpaper they issue you . This part can take 15 minutes or it can take a hour each side depending on how bad your headlights are .

You can use three on each side but make sure you haze it until you see nothing but a hazed lens .

You can read the directions in the kit . 

Second faze again use all three on each side this is not a race on how fast it is about perfection .

Third section get a spray bottle fill it up with water . There is only one of this pad . Make sure you keep this pad drench with water and keep on till the haze goes away . Yes it will look a little foggy but you will see the haze disappear .

Final faze is the buffing with the chemical supplied . Again it isn't how fast you do it , It is about perfection .

Here ia another example of a different vehicle I was able to do two with one kit only because they were not bad but if you do have bad ones I recommend you only do it to one set .

My advice is to take a day that you can spend on it and do not rush some times it can take one hour for one headlight .

This is the best kit ever .

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DIY - From OEM to LED Replacement Headlight Bulb

This DIY is basically for any vehicle instead of putting HID you decide to put LED  headlight bulb .

Very simple just remove your OEM bulb and you will put the new bulb and you will see it is as bright as a HID .

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DIY - Resurface Your Plastic Headlights

hand file or dremmel tool




2" wide masking tape



220 grit sand paper



400 grit sand paper



800 grit sandpaper



1200-1500 grit sandpaper



rubbing/buffing compound



electric or pneumatic buffer and wool pad, or polishing cloths





Most plastic headlights have plastic "nubs" protruding from the surface, these are for molding purposes and do nothing for the beam of the light itself, so it will be much easier on your project if you file them down flush with the surface of the lens either manually or with a dremel tool. Protect any adjascent surfaces around the headlight with a couple rows of masking tape several layers thick......repainting is EXPENSIVE!!!!



Beginning with the 220 grit sandpaper, woork over the surface of the lens in small circular motions. As you begin to remove the broken down or degraded plastic from the surface, the plastic sanding residue will begin to turn white from yellowish and the surface of the lens will begin to look more blemish free. Do this until you have a uniform, cledar but scuffed appearing surface, this should only take 2-3 minutes by hand depending on the size of the area. Next move to the 400 grit paper, but this time move in straight lines in an "X" pattern, or horizontally, then vertically until all of the circular scratches from the 220 grit paper are gone. Next you will step up to the 800 grit paper, again in circular motions until the straigh line 400 grit scratches are gone. Finally you are on the last phase of resurfacing, start in straight line motions until the 800 grit scratches are gone, then go in small circular motions, these will be easier to polish out.



If you have a buffing machine, 1200 rpms is aout ideal speed with a wool pad for this operation. Put approximately a half dollar size "1.5" diameter spot of compound on the lens and use the wool pad on the buffer to spread it across the surface of the lens without starting the machine. Next start the buffer and using the outer 2-3 inches of the pad, work from side to side and bottom to top until the compound starts to dry. Reapply compound as needed and repeat this process until you have a nice clear brilliant shine on your lens. Keep the buffer moving at all times, if you sit in one spot, you WILL melt the plastic and then you will need a new headlight. If you do not have a buffer, this process will take you quite a while and will wear you out, so be ready and be patient. Basically you will use the same process, but instead of the buffer, you are going to use a fine woven cloth (terry or micrfiber will work well) and work in straight line, then circular patterns until you acheive the same look described above.



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