I'm ready for my second mod, partly because the black headlights look cool, but mostly because the OEM polycarbonate is such garbage.

Can anyone who's done it give me some guidance on brands to embrace or avoid? Searching the forum yields lots of hits, but no brand names.

 

Just whatever you do, DONT do it yourself... Its a.... Hassle to say the least....

 

Unfortunately I don't think any of the big brands bother with headlights. I would just find the best price you can, with a 1-year warranty. Keep your stockers just in case you have to send them in for a warranty.

The most common culprit is letting water in.

 

Found one with a lifetime warranty for $88. We have a winner....

 

Well that's a good price right there!

 

You think the OEM poly is garbage? No aftermarket headlight is going to match the quality of OEM. Period.

Can't remember the brand but it was back when the black bezel w/clear marker just came out for the 06-07. I bought a pair of those several years ago, took them apart to clear the bezel to make it gloss black (since they're all flat black) and sealed them back up with butyl rubber glue AND finished w/black silicone around the perimeter of the lens. I didn't have an issue with moisture BUT the damn hot glue that they used to glue stuff together turned molten whenever it got hot out, and the gas/vapor it released started clouding up the lens from the inside. That was one brand - there's several options out there for the black bezel w/clear marker or black w/amber marker, all with varying quality. That experience being said, I ended up buying a new pair of OEM headlights from the dealer - they aren't black but the quality is there. I know guys who buy a new pair of aftermarkets every couple years just because they leak and/or age quick.

 

Thankfully, the ones I'm getting have a lifetime warranty, and I've already been warned not to open them up.

As for the OEM being garbage, they just are. Maybe they aren't where you are, but here in sunny Florida, I might see one clear pair a day, and they ain't mine. I've attempted to pay people to buff mine, and after an hour of frustration, they refuse my money and send me on my way. Garbage.

 

Once the original coating gets worn off, they do go bad. The plastics will never look good, no matter how you buff them.

I think it will be a good $88 investment for the looks on your car. I hope you have a lot of trouble free miles with the replacements

 

Care to share the brand and experience? Want to freshen up the lights and worry about all of them being garbage...

 

Just check ebay.. Thats where i got mine and Im sure OP did as well.. There are a few different types on there.