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Old 11-12-2017, 09:46 PM   #1
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Headlight: Noticed this a few days ago

My headlights work perfectly, Litronix 2001 Boxster S but, I noticed this


A few days ago. Should I be worried? Doesn't seem loose.

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Old 11-13-2017, 01:51 AM   #2
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Hard to tell from the pic if the lense is cracked or if it's the protective clear coating that is peeling . Supposedly Porsche used very good quality lexan for the lense so I'm leaning towards it being the clear coat .
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Old 11-13-2017, 03:51 AM   #3
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looks like either damage to the clear, or the remains of some kind of coating or film that used to be on them. If you run your finger over it does it feel raised or lowered at all?
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Old 11-13-2017, 02:13 PM   #4
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Sand, polish to a shine and apply headlight UV protection clear coat it. Will look good as new.
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Old 11-13-2017, 05:25 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by oldskool73 View Post
looks like either damage to the clear, or the remains of some kind of coating or film that used to be on them. If you run your finger over it does it feel raised or lowered at all?
Scratched around it with a fingernail, looks like very thin plastic coating of some kind. Is there a protective film on these headlights normally?
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Old 11-13-2017, 05:38 PM   #6
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Sand, polish to a shine and apply headlight UV protection clear coat it. Will look good as new.
Which would be the better choice? The spray on stuff or the film?
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Old 11-13-2017, 05:47 PM   #7
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That's definitely clear coat peel.
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Old 11-13-2017, 06:43 PM   #8
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That's definitely clear coat peel.
Seems to be the consensus... Any advice on fixing this?
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Old 11-13-2017, 06:45 PM   #9
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Which would be the better choice? The spray on stuff or the film?
Spray on for sure. You can make your headlights look like new.

What I use to protect my headlights is the Dupli-Color Headlight Restoration Kit.

https://www.duplicolor.com/product/headlight-restoration-kit

You will need to get sand paper and polish. You will use a more coarse grit to get the current damage removed and move to less coarse grit in increments ending with a 3000 grit.

Then use some Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish to polish the headlights to a perfect clarity. You can do this by hand or get a polishing pad that attaches to a drill and it will shine up quick and crystal clear.

Mothers® Mag & Aluminum Polish

Then clean the headlights off with a IPA solution to remove any product or contaminants to have a clean surface for the UV protection to stick to.

The Dupli-Color spray protection is very forgiving. You would have to try really hard to screw it up. Here is a video about the kit. You can see how easy the spray protection is to put on. Pull your lights out, much easier that way.

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Old 11-13-2017, 07:15 PM   #10
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Spray on for sure. You can make your headlights look like new.

What I use to protect my headlights is the Dupli-Color Headlight Restoration Kit.

https://www.duplicolor.com/product/headlight-restoration-kit

You will need to get sand paper and polish. You will use a more coarse grit to get the current damage removed and move to less coarse grit in increments ending with a 3000 grit.

Then use some Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish to polish the headlights to a perfect clarity. You can do this by hand or get a polishing pad that attaches to a drill and it will shine up quick and crystal clear.

Mothers® Mag & Aluminum Polish

Then clean the headlights off with a IPA solution to remove any product or contaminants to have a clean surface for the UV protection to stick to.

The Dupli-Color spray protection is very forgiving. You would have to try really hard to screw it up. Here is a video about the kit. You can see how easy the spray protection is to put on. Pull your lights out, much easier that way.

Looks like my weekend is going to be a busy one then.
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Old 11-13-2017, 08:11 PM   #11
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It's not really hard. Leave the lights in for sanding and polishing leverage, but tape off so you don't hit the rubber seal around the headlights or the paint. Then pull the headlights out and spray them. If the rubber seal around the headlights are in good condition, remove them before you spray the headlights and back on when you're done. You will have a big grin on your face when done and a great feeling of satisfaction of the job you did.

You should be able to get everything at like O'Reilly Auto Parts. This is the Polishing Pad I use.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/masterpro-refinishing-4361/tools---equipment-16488/body-repair-16510/polishers--buffers--pads---bonnets-17962/polishing-foam-pad/67960/4511072?q=polishing+pad

Also wet sand the headlights and do not use a circular motion. Just go up and down the headlight from top to bottom in one direction.

Dupli-Color Headlight Restoration Kit.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/dupli-color-3391/chemicals---fluids-16461/paint---body-repair-16614/headlight-lens-repair-19109/headlight-restoration-kit/hlr100/4268130?q=Dupli-Color+HLR100

Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/mothers-4408/chemicals---fluids-16461/cleaners-16866/waxes---washes-16651/metal--chrome---wheel-cleaner---polish-17738/mag-aluminum-polish/05100/4526703

Get some wet sanding paper, start at 800, then 1500, then 2000 and finish sanding with 3000 grit. Pick up some microfiber towels also.
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Last edited by KRAM36; 11-13-2017 at 08:33 PM.
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Old 11-14-2017, 03:26 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KRAM36 View Post
It's not really hard. Leave the lights in for sanding and polishing leverage, but tape off so you don't hit the rubber seal around the headlights or the paint. Then pull the headlights out and spray them. If the rubber seal around the headlights are in good condition, remove them before you spray the headlights and back on when you're done. You will have a big grin on your face when done and a great feeling of satisfaction of the job you did.

You should be able to get everything at like O'Reilly Auto Parts. This is the Polishing Pad I use.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/masterpro-refinishing-4361/tools---equipment-16488/body-repair-16510/polishers--buffers--pads---bonnets-17962/polishing-foam-pad/67960/4511072?q=polishing+pad

Also wet sand the headlights and do not use a circular motion. Just go up and down the headlight from top to bottom in one direction.

Dupli-Color Headlight Restoration Kit.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/dupli-color-3391/chemicals---fluids-16461/paint---body-repair-16614/headlight-lens-repair-19109/headlight-restoration-kit/hlr100/4268130?q=Dupli-Color+HLR100

Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/mothers-4408/chemicals---fluids-16461/cleaners-16866/waxes---washes-16651/metal--chrome---wheel-cleaner---polish-17738/mag-aluminum-polish/05100/4526703

Get some wet sanding paper, start at 800, then 1500, then 2000 and finish sanding with 3000 grit. Pick up some microfiber towels also.
I'm curious on using the Mag/Alu polish for the plastic. When I did a few sets I used plastic polish.
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Old 11-14-2017, 05:07 AM   #13
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I'm curious on using the Mag/Alu polish for the plastic. When I did a few sets I used plastic polish.
Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish will bring the headlights to a crystal clear state and do it quickly. It's perfect for the job, give it a try next time and you will see.

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