Hazing of headlights

[waxman]

hi all
GTS is looking good after front end respray to remove road rash and Xpel clear film application BUT I've a strange hazing of headlights-I've never used strong chemicals in cleaning or car wash but when the lights are on there is very evident hazing almost like a delamination of the headlight , as the car is not a daily drive it's probably only had the headlights on for 10% of its run life- it's NOT a misting or yellowing but more like an internal delamination of the light body clear plastic (I've s picture but am hopeless at uploading ) . With the lights on the its covered in hundreds of concentric circles across the clear plastic like the scores you see on a worn disc
has anyone experienced this and as it visibly affects the headlight at night any views if it would be covered under the Porsche warranty.?
Thanks

 

[PAG ZERO1]

Needs some photo's see what's going on ?

 

[guitarplayer63]

I had this exact problem and it was even highlighted in the MOT.

Its caused by weathering (and driving) wearing away at the original coating applied to the headlights (including a UV protection layer). If you look at new headlights in bright lighting you can see a sort of rainbow hue appearing as the light shines into the polycarbonate - that disappears as the headlights appear to cloud over and they just look dull.

There's lots of videos on line on how to fix this - it takes about an hour or so and isn't hard with a few tools to hand.

I actually bought a kit that not only cleaned/polished the headlights out but also restored the UV coating the lights would have been manufactured with (thee kits dont all come with this). It is also designed to work several times, some of the kits are "one-hit wonders."

Since this involves applying a very slight abrasive, I would strongly suggest removing the headlights and clamping them in a vice/workmate. The kit I bought came with three bottles and two types of abrasive pads - one slightly coarse pad that you mount into a drill (arbor supplied) and then one much finer. Essentially you're "sanding" the outer wear away and then polishing it. The two fluids are cutting fluids applied onto each pad respectively and the third one is the UV sealer applied once its all done.

While it may seem abnormal to "sand: a headlight, it makes sense to remove the top layer where the damage is. The kit was pretty impressive and so much so I used it to polish out a scratch on a pair of sunglasses.

Happy to explain more if you need.
Good luck!

 

[Lancerlot]

All sounds like hard work to me. Just have them replaced under your extended warranty! []
Regards,

Clive

 

[waxman]

Thanks all for comments and to guitar player63 for explanation makes sense -I've sent photos to Porsche to see warranty position and will update with response
tony

 

[D911ARK]

Hi,

As Clive says, if the warranty will cover it, go there first! And as Guitarman says, there are ways you can DIY and there are kits out there. I was hesitant to take abbrasive materials to my own hazed and yellow lights, so Autofarm did mine for me and I was blown away with the results. Was just over an hours labour for them. Absolutely though, remove the HL if you do DIY it, it's easier and safer. What hasn't been mentioned is other areas of prevention and I purchased from Aliath (997 ones here https://www.aliath.co.uk/collections/porsche/products/porsche-911-997-2004-2012-headlights-clear-stone-protection) headlight protection who advise the plastic has strong UV protection. Maybe a thought. Reaonably priced. If you do purchase, make sure you buy the applicator for smoothing.

Hope that helps.

Mark

 

[waxman]

Thanks for additional info - Porsche have acknowledged now receipt of photos and I’ll see what they say