Hairline cracking in headlights
- Thread starter TOMGREEN413
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I had exactly the same issue with mine a few years ago when I got my car. Car was 5 years old at the time and bought as a approved used.
Mine was caused by overspray from the Tar remover I used on the vehicle. I noticed it happen while cleaning my car for the first time - lights where fine, then not fine. I went to the vendor of the Tar remover first, they said if the headlight has been polished/mopped and then exposed to their product this would happen to the plastic. They had previous complaints and had done some experiments - they had a one pager on the issue, not limited to BMW, seems to be an issue with strong cleaners on plastic headlights that have have the top layer buffed off.
So I went back to BMW and complained and they changed both front headlights under the approved used warranty. No issues and been using the same tar remover since with no issues.
I have noticed my Mums Polo has exactly the same issue - its is really bad. Bought used and taken to the local handcar wash its whole life where they rinse then put a strong traffic film remover on.
Mine was caused by overspray from the Tar remover I used on the vehicle. I noticed it happen while cleaning my car for the first time - lights where fine, then not fine. I went to the vendor of the Tar remover first, they said if the headlight has been polished/mopped and then exposed to their product this would happen to the plastic. They had previous complaints and had done some experiments - they had a one pager on the issue, not limited to BMW, seems to be an issue with strong cleaners on plastic headlights that have have the top layer buffed off.
So I went back to BMW and complained and they changed both front headlights under the approved used warranty. No issues and been using the same tar remover since with no issues.
I have noticed my Mums Polo has exactly the same issue - its is really bad. Bought used and taken to the local handcar wash its whole life where they rinse then put a strong traffic film remover on.
That's very interesting to hear......thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for your idea but to be honest it's not noticeable unless you get up close with the lights on.
Hi
With regard to cracking - crazing to the headlight lenses it appears to be a common issue with polycabonate lenses covers when looking at buying a 2014 F 31 estate from BMW dealer noted the same effect the lines you can see are stress relief cracks in the polycarbonate they will not polish out .
We got the dealer to replace with new items said to be £800.00 for the pair !
The lights should not leak and don't think it would be an MOT issue.
Regards
Allan
With regard to cracking - crazing to the headlight lenses it appears to be a common issue with polycabonate lenses covers when looking at buying a 2014 F 31 estate from BMW dealer noted the same effect the lines you can see are stress relief cracks in the polycarbonate they will not polish out .
We got the dealer to replace with new items said to be £800.00 for the pair !
The lights should not leak and don't think it would be an MOT issue.
Regards
Allan
Looks like water staining, grazing on my cars head lights was just below the "eyebrow" and someone put a gritted foot on a lens and scratched it..
I fitted some aftermarket lens with some mods to the angel eyes. The halos weren't glued in and one fell out.
In fact i have just resealed them with black gutter sealant.
Silicone sealant won't stick to the black body so pulls away allowing water in.
But factory seal should seal it..
Just looked again at last picture, can see the grazing, polycarbonate can develop the find cracks inside the plastic.
Like stress cracks develop.
Just had a thought, paint stripper fumes can cause this, quite common on aircraft plexiglass when airframes are resprayed at cheap paint shops..
I fitted some aftermarket lens with some mods to the angel eyes. The halos weren't glued in and one fell out.
In fact i have just resealed them with black gutter sealant.
Silicone sealant won't stick to the black body so pulls away allowing water in.
But factory seal should seal it..
Just looked again at last picture, can see the grazing, polycarbonate can develop the find cracks inside the plastic.
Like stress cracks develop.
Just had a thought, paint stripper fumes can cause this, quite common on aircraft plexiglass when airframes are resprayed at cheap paint shops..
It's unclear what caused then to do this but thankfully over the last 3 years they haven't got any worse