Modern headlamp lens replacement

[malcolm]

I have some very rough and yellow headlamps and some new lenses that are in decent condition. Problem is the lenses are fixed to my current headlamps with some rubber-like adhesive that doesn't soften with heat and it's going to be difficult to extract the lens without damaging the housing.

What do you reckon - cut the old glass and try to pick it out bit by bit, or give up and try to restore the existing lenses?

 

[Screwdriver]

Restore the lenses, Definitely! They can be physically polished (I believe the yellowing/cloudiness is surface damage due to ultraviolet degradation).

Plenty of YouTube vids out there and the acetone polishing ones look very compelling. Much easier than the physical bother with sandpaper and polishing compound.

 

[Mark 5]

I have some very rough and yellow headlamps and some new lenses that are in decent condition. Problem is the lenses are fixed to my current headlamps with some rubber-like adhesive that doesn't soften with heat and it's going to be difficult to extract the lens without damaging the housing.

What do you reckon - cut the old glass and try to pick it out bit by bit, or give up and try to restore the existing lenses?

View attachment 516665

I think think this is a case of oven cooking, flat screwdriver, spreaders or wedges.

 

[malcolm]

That's a good idea. Americans suggest 200F which would be 90C. Pre-heating the oven right now. My current lenses are more dead than they look in the photo so nothing to lose (apart from £100 if it goes wrong).

 

[PhillipM]

They will come apart with enough temp but it often starts to distort the rear housing too. I've a set here that were done and they're okay but those fragile clips they have on them are distorted. And those clips break for fun at the best of times.

 

[malcolm]

They aren't going anywhere without breaking something. Though I did try some P2000 wet and dry and T-Cut and a section cleaned off much better and faster than I expected. I'll take the restoration route.

Is it worth buying one of those kits to finish with that has the UV protection? And which type? I imagine I have lost the layer of whatever the manufacturer put on.

 

[Mark 5]

That's a good idea. Americans suggest 200F which would be 90C. Pre-heating the oven right now. My current lenses are more dead than they look in the photo so nothing to lose (apart from £100 if it goes wrong).

I agree with @PhillipM they will come apart with enough temperature. I think 200f is a little low but of course a lot will depend of size and quality of headlamp/plastic.

Try a little warmer say 230f---maybe for 20 minutes, a little less at 240f.

 

[PhillipM]

They aren't going anywhere without breaking something. Though I did try some P2000 wet and dry and T-Cut and a section cleaned off much better and faster than I expected. I'll take the restoration route.

Is it worth buying one of those kits to finish with that has the UV protection?

No, I've tried them they look crap again 3 months later - I gave up, buffed mine back again and then used ProXL 2k lacquer to protect them properly, been fine ever since.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Insulate the bits you don't want to heat up...that'll slow they're heat adsorption.

 

[Gragson]

Our 57 Beetle were really clouded up, I had a really good results with a polishing kit

Post in thread 'Stuff you have made today'

Nov 27, 2024

Had to use the mrs beetle Sunday night, unlit country roads, frightening!
Mentioned how terrible it was and she says yeah hard to see isn't it

Bought new bulbs but the real issue was the plastic lenses. You have to take the whole headlight out to change the bulbs on these comedy cars so thought I would have a go on the lenses. Guess I could have made up a kit but got one of these -> https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B5B9NNQZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Pretty impressed although was a bit worried on 600 grit start, went through all grades and polish, came out well...

• Gragson

• 

 

[malcolm]

No, I've tried them they look crap again 3 months later - I gave up, buffed mine back again and then used ProXL 2k lacquer to protect them properly, been fine ever since.

Sounds sensible. Guessing the 1K acrylic I have left over from the wheels would work.

 

[Bobupndown]

Our 57 Beetle were really clouded up, I had a really good results with a polishing kit

Post in thread 'Stuff you have made today'

Nov 27, 2024

Had to use the mrs beetle Sunday night, unlit country roads, frightening!
Mentioned how terrible it was and she says yeah hard to see isn't it

Bought new bulbs but the real issue was the plastic lenses. You have to take the whole headlight out to change the bulbs on these comedy cars so thought I would have a go on the lenses. Guess I could have made up a kit but got one of these -> https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B5B9NNQZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Pretty impressed although was a bit worried on 600 grit start, went through all grades and polish, came out well...

• Gragson

• 

Assuming you mean a 2007/8 Beetle rather than a 1957 Beetle?
The latter would have glass lenses.

 

[Turbo]

I assume this is for the 406 coupe?

I restored the ones on my 306 hdi. It took a lot of work because some previous tool had clearcoated them with 2k lacquer and the lights still faded and yellowed!

I started with P240 wet and dry on a da sander used wet. I worked through the grades to P2500 and then finished with G3 and finally G10 compounds.

The only protection they got was a coat of wax and they haven't gone yellow yet, over 5 years later!

 

[malcolm]

These are for the coupe. It's the diesel one I've decided to keep for a year or so as a winter car. No lacquer sounds like a good idea to try. Can always try again if it doesn't work and I haven't got a good feel from the internet about how to best do things. I have no idea why the lights were so bad (they came from the V6) but it doesn't seem like I will need to remove much material.

 

[Turbo]

These are for the coupe. It's the diesel one I've decided to keep for a year or so as a winter car. No lacquer sounds like a good idea to try. Can always try again if it doesn't work and I haven't got a good feel from the internet about how to best do things. I have no idea why the lights were so bad (they came from the V6).

View attachment 516699

I think part of the problem is people using aggressive chemicals to wash and polish their cars.

The headlight is plastic and some commercial car wash detergents will attack the plastic.
Then some polish componds are petroleum based and will soften plastic.
Add in road spray that has salt and petroleum in it too and it's not surprising that they go yellow!

 

[PhillipM]

I've tried no lacquer, they never lasted, polish and a wax every other month
Tried the 1K coatings, they go yellow.

Put 2k lacquer on them, never had a problem since.

 

[Gragson]

Assuming you mean a 2007/8 Beetle rather than a 1957 Beetle?
The latter would have glass lenses.

57 plate zzzzz