Hairline cracking in headlights

TOMGREEN413 · Post by **TOMGREEN413** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 1:51 am

So the wife's 2014 has these fine cracks in both headlights, I'm guessing it's due to excessive heat from the lights? and I was wondering if replacement light covers can be fitted or would a complete replacement of the whole unit be the only fix? Is this a common issue? Fortunately the lights aren't letting in water.

Busterboo · Post by **Busterboo** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 3:08 am

Your AD will tell you that the whole units must be replaced. They are expensive. So, the usual strategies apply:

1 Insurance/extended warranty claim?
2 2nd-hand replacements?
3 Leave as they are if they still throw good beams, aren't leaking and not MoT-specific.

I don't know if there are viable 'repairs'. This one on youtube looks quite ... er ... difficult. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9Tp-r-wRbc

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 8:53 am

Are you sure they are cracks.
One reason i replaced my car lenses was the cobwebs inside. Looked like grazing.
Not a simple job, just live with it.

TOMGREEN413 · Post by **TOMGREEN413** » Sat Dec 03, 2022 10:05 am

Yes, it's a kind of crazing of the plastic........I guess the "if it ain't broken don't fix it", strategy applies as they still throw an impressive bean of light and don't have any moisture build up inside.

Deepseaskateboard · Post by **Deepseaskateboard** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 9:53 am

Can you post a picture of them?

TOMGREEN413 · Post by **TOMGREEN413** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:58 pm

Deepseaskateboard wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 9:53 am Can you post a picture of them?

I can try but have no idea how to submit photos...any tips would be welcome.....sorry

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 7:02 pm

TOMGREEN413 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:58 pm
Deepseaskateboard wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 9:53 am Can you post a picture of them?
I can try but have no idea how to submit photos...any tips would be welcome.....sorry

Underneath the reply box on the l/h side is an “add script” button, click on it & follow the instructions

Rob

Deepseaskateboard · Post by **Deepseaskateboard** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:18 pm

TOMGREEN413 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 6:58 pm
Deepseaskateboard wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 9:53 am Can you post a picture of them?
I can try but have no idea how to submit photos...any tips would be welcome.....sorry

: ECE5BD06-A98E-4E6B-A70C-EB8C70A2946C.jpeg (73.44 KiB) Viewed 306 times

TOMGREEN413 · Post by **TOMGREEN413** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:23 pm

: 20221003_084113.jpg (116.8 KiB) Viewed 303 times

TOMGREEN413 · Post by **TOMGREEN413** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:26 pm

Sorry........just testing and only photo to had was my cat

I'll get some photos tomorrow when it's light.
Thanks again for the direction, I had known idea it was so easy.

Argyll Andy · Post by **Argyll Andy** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:40 pm

TOMGREEN413 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:23 pm 20221003_084113.jpg

Should that not be furball cracking in headlights then?

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:02 pm

Argyll Andy wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 10:40 pm Should that not be furball cracking in headlights then?

Hairball surely?

Minute 'crazing' of the plastic can be polished out with the right stuff, as long as it's on the outside obviously. I know this because I spend too much time watching 'Wheeler Dealers' and other car progs on the telly!

I don't know first hand, as my cars don't go out in the dark, or light for that matter, so never had this issue!

After nearly two years, I only found out yesterday that the E89 has lights in the doors above the useless pull-out door pockets.

TOMGREEN413 · Post by **TOMGREEN413** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 9:38 am

Lights in the doors?! I had no idea either.

TOMGREEN413 · Post by **TOMGREEN413** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 9:55 am

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: 20221206_084823.jpg (113.3 KiB) Viewed 253 times

I'm not sure that polishing out is possible without removing a lot of material? But is this a common issue on post 2013 cars?

Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Tue Dec 06, 2022 11:02 am

Mine look very similar on a 2011,
It appears to be inside the light on mine so no chance of polishing out, I thought it could have been heat from the bulbs of possibly damage from the sun, although they don’t seem to have discoloured just small cracks.
The YouTube video was good to watch and possibly a future job to do.

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