Hey guys, I'm sure everyone that has a deck lamp probably has the faded yellow lense at this point (like the one below), just part of being exposed to the weather for the last 30ish year. Anybody have any thoughts on how to clean it up or remove the color all together? Or if anybody knows of a place to buy a new lense.

I'm planning to put an LED in there, but would to get a clean lense if possible.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated

Thanks!

 

From the picture it appears there is some level of oxidation on the outside surface. Simply using a car polish (with some vigor) will help clean that up and should make the lens more clear. ....the same as you might do for a taillight lens. The issue in this particular case might be the ridges. If those are are in the inside and the outside is essentially featureless, it should relatively easy. I would remove the lens and do the inside as well if at all possible. You can also clean up the reflctor if needed but being particularly careful since the finish can be quite delicate. If this light is anything like a typical fixture like this, I would limit your contact (with the reflector surface) to very light brushing to remove dust.

There isn't much you can do about the actual discoloration of the plastic although polishing might help reduce the yellowing if the damage is mostly external.

 

EDIT: Kean beat me to it but I will leave what I wrote....

I doubt that you can remove all of the yellow from the plastic. You can try to polish it with Meguiar's PlastX or other plastic polish. It is the same stuff as the plastic headlight restoration compound.

Your results will vary depending on how oxidized the lens is and will take time and some elbow grease before you see any results. If you have the patience, I would give it a try.

I don't think there is a reflector to worry about but I don't have one to check.

As far as I know, there is no place to buy a new lens. It has been discontinued by Toyota and I have not seen any aftermarket ones pop up when searching.

The LED bulb should be brighter too!

 

Just install a complete LED light instead of just a bulb then you will be good for the next 20 years

 

+100.

Here...


Anyway, the stock deck lamp is in a bad location anyway- that gets easily blocked by cargo- and even the LED replacement for its bulb is anemic. I installed an LED array wired/switched like the deck lamp.
Now, the stock deck lamp can work as a night light with a red LED bulb in it.

 

My rear deck lamp set up
stock

added 3w LED's leftover from my 81 rocklights



you can pick them up cheap on ebay or Amazon . having some mounted under the bed rails on a truck would be easy to do