3200 headlight covers

[Paul3200]

Hi

I'm thinking of replacing the plastic headlight covers. One of them has a peeled look to it? Not sure why.
Any pointers on where there may be some for sale and how to go about it?

Regards
Paul

 

[Easyplan66]

hi Paul I would start with eurospares.co.uk

 

[lozcb]

Hi

I'm thinking of replacing the plastic headlight covers. One of them has a peeled look to it? Not sure why.
Any pointers on where there may be some for sale and how to go about it?

Regards
Paul

Headlight covers , never heard of such a thing, any pics , ...........................................if its the outer lense starting to go , you have problems , the outer lense is attached to the main headlight its all integral and glued , but there is a way can you be more decriptivre on what the problem is not heard of it before


regards loz

 

[NickP]

I guess he means the transparent lens that seals the lights? Perhaps they have been painted with that horrid yellow stuff for driving in Europe? If its peeling on the inside then I have no idea, if the outside, then try and polish / clean the plastic with anything that doesnt melt plastic. I have taken scratches out of plastic using fine grade wet and dry followed by grinding paste, and polish. A pic would be helpful.

 

[dem maser]

Does he mean the black plastic that goes round the lights?

Mine are a little wonky.....

 

[Paul3200]

Hi All

Thanks. No its not the rubber seal. It is on the actual plastic cover of the headlight. Pix attached. Sorry pic may not be clear due to natural light.

Regards
Paul

 

[Pibbow]

That will need to be replaced mate. You can polish most of it out but that will remove what is left of the UV protective layer. If I'm wrong some one will be along shortly to correct me.

Peter

 

[Rex B]

I think Peter is correct, the film on the headlamp is for UV protection of the plastic lens. The headlamp lens is not sold seperatly so the only way to overcome your problem is to fit a new headlight £460 plus vat unless you can find a suitable film and some method of applying it to the headlamp.

Rex B
Manual 3200

 

[Paul3200]

Hi Guys

Thanks. I will start looking around

Regards
Paul

 

[dem maser]

Try askews for a good 2nd hand one......

 

[Paul3200]

Hi Nick

I think I am going to take your advice. Being reluctant to spend £500+ on a new headlight just because of a peeled UV film, I have been researching UV peel and faded plastic headlights. All vehicles post 2000 seem to have plastic lenses. Therefore there are products out there that you can buy which will remove yellowing and old UV film.. Just like your advice with wet and dry method. If I bugger it up then at least I tried.

This link is one such site giving advice http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7569283_remove-uv-headlights.html

Hopefully this will cure the problem for alot less.

Many thanks
Paul

 

[lozcb]

Hi Nick

I think I am going to take your advice. Being reluctant to spend £500+ on a new headlight just because of a peeled UV film, I have been researching UV peel and faded plastic headlights. All vehicles post 2000 seem to have plastic lenses. Therefore there are products out there that you can buy which will remove yellowing and old UV film.. Just like your advice with wet and dry method. If I bugger it up then at least I tried.

This link is one such site giving advice http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7569283_remove-uv-headlights.html

Hopefully this will cure the problem for alot less.

Many thanks
Paul

Definately worth a crack first , do remember to mask around your bodywork and the rubber seal , hate to see you scratch the paintwork, gentle start to see how you go , best of luck


regards loz

 

[Easyplan66]

are they easy to remove.......don't see any clips etc

 

[Paul3200]

Thanks Easy / Loz

Worth a shot. See youtube link on procedure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t1RBw0IGXA
Scary thought taking a sanding disc to my 3200 ! Will keep you posted on results asap.

Regards
Paul

 

[lozcb]

Thanks Easy / Loz

Worth a shot. See youtube link on procedure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t1RBw0IGXA
Sacry thought taking a sandeing disc to my 3200 ! Will keep you posted on results asap.

Regards
Paul

I would also build up with tape an extra safety edge on the paintwork , maybe some 6mm tube taped around the edge of the headlight would act as a buffer and guide to prevent you overrunning with the sanding disc, i would prefer a small dentist type drill and smaller discs , of course the other method would be to remove the headlight altogether , not the easiest of tasks but only held in with 3 bolts and accessed from inside the wheelarch by removing the wheel arch liner , somewhere in the tech section i did a how to fix with pics


regards loz

 

[Rex B]

Paul

Good find, 3M produce good products and are rated in the trade so the solution should work.Just take Loz's advise and mask up the area well and take it slowly and you will have saved yourself £500 , enough for some new white lamps which will aid night driving.

Rex B

 

[Paul3200]

Headlight restore

Hi Loz, Rex

Thanks. I will take extra precautions with masking. A large JD

Regards
Paul

 

[lozcb]

Hi Loz, Rex

Thanks. I will take extra precautions with masking. A large JD

Regards
Paul

Its not the end of the world if you screw one up , i have a couple of spares , suggest you use something similar below , only £35 ish from Maplins or the local model shop , far more easily to handle and no kick on start up, as i said it is possible to cut them off and reglue another back on




I'd leave the JD till afterwards if i was you



regards loz

 

[NickP]

I'd also look into thinners to remove whatever is on there as it must be soluable by something, white spirit, meths or alchohol may remove the stuff and then you wont need to sand anything as you wont have damaged the surface.... If you do need to take the sanding route then I would remove the lights to prevent any damage to paintwork or the rubber surrounds.

 

[Pibbow]

First off I would try a good quality cutting polish and elbow grease. It worked a treat on my wifes xc90 headlights. took about 90 mins per side.