Restoration of Head Lights - EP 91

[kneth]

Hi, I have a Toyota Starlet EP 91. The two head lights are really bad, including the reflectors. Is there any alternative other than replacing both? Any reliable place I could get it done some where close to Athurugiriya?

One place in Kurunagala said they can do it, but might take about 2 to 3 days.

Thank you in advance for any tips.

[iRage]

On 12/30/2025 at 3:59 PM, kneth said:

Hi, I have a Toyota Starlet EP 91. The two head lights are really bad, including the reflectors. Is there any alternative other than replacing both? Any reliable place I could get it done some where close to Athurugiriya?

One place in Kurunagala said they can do it, but might take about 2 to 3 days.

Thank you in advance for any tips.

It can be restored....whether it is worth restoring and how long it will last depends on how badly deteriorated your current lights are and the quality of the work.

If you have to get the reflector repainted (as opposed to getting it cleaned up) then you might want to consider if you want to restore it as most of the time the repainting does not last that long. If the housing has to be dismantled, make sure it is properly resealed. Something which most places fail to do. If not sealed, water and moisture will build up and spoil the whole thing. If it's just a matter of yellowing of the lens itself (both outside or inside or both) and grime build up on the reflectors, then restoring entails just cleaning it. Which might be possible without dismantling (again...depends on the degree of discolorization).

Get a quote for restoration. Compare that with replacement headlights in good shape. Then figure out if its worth restoring. Even if new lights are expensive, considering the length of time it can possible last, it might be worth it.

If you do get it restored, make sure you get a warranty that will get you through atleast one rainy season (just to make sure that the water does not seap through and you can get it sorted out if it does)

[kneth]

23 hours ago, iRage said:

It can be restored....whether it is worth restoring and how long it will last depends on how badly deteriorated your current lights are and the quality of the work.

If you have to get the reflector repainted (as opposed to getting it cleaned up) then you might want to consider if you want to restore it as most of the time the repainting does not last that long. If the housing has to be dismantled, make sure it is properly resealed. Something which most places fail to do. If not sealed, water and moisture will build up and spoil the whole thing. If it's just a matter of yellowing of the lens itself (both outside or inside or both) and grime build up on the reflectors, then restoring entails just cleaning it. Which might be possible without dismantling (again...depends on the degree of discolorization).

Get a quote for restoration. Compare that with replacement headlights in good shape. Then figure out if its worth restoring. Even if new lights are expensive, considering the length of time it can possible last, it might be worth it.

If you do get it restored, make sure you get a warranty that will get you through atleast one rainy season (just to make sure that the water does not seap through and you can get it sorted out if it does)

Thank you very much for your response. Now there seems to be another option - LED Projector Headlights. Do you have any experience with these?

[kush]

I have DIY restored few lights March K11 and a Lancer CK as I remember using Braso.

It removes the yellow in the perfex lens. If the reflector is bad there is nothing much you can do. Some people use washing powder and a small sponge and shake and clean like you do cleaning bottles.

Worth the try if other option is replacing as there is not much of a cost and nothing to loose

[kneth]

On 1/3/2026 at 8:18 AM, kush said:

I have DIY restored few lights March K11 and a Lancer CK as I remember using Braso.

It removes the yellow in the perfex lens. If the reflector is bad there is nothing much you can do. Some people use washing powder and a small sponge and shake and clean like you do cleaning bottles.

Worth the try if other option is replacing as there is not much of a cost and nothing to loose

Thank you for your response.

I guess I will have to replace both, or go for the LED Projector bulbs. Just waiting to see if anyone has first hand experience with those.