Headlamp scratches, cracks and delamination

[Kilsh]

Hi All

I am new to Boxsters, Porsches and the forum. I did post a short intro earlier and mentioned this problem. I picked up a 2013 S on Friday, delighted with it apart from some cosmetics, some I can sort, thank god for Chipex! Some I’m not so sure on.

First  issue is this. The headlamps are scratched, I think they will polish out, but around the edges they appear to be cracked. At first I thought it was a film delay issue and research provided a few cases of this, but inconclusive. When I removed them earlier however they appear finely fissured and cracked.

Has anyone else experience this and if so what’s the options? Doubt very much My local dealer will be interested, I purchased from an independent at a very good price hence me taking it on.

I did think if I can fill and sand them smooth the KI studios trim may be an option.

Any thoughts welcome

Cheers

Kilsh

[Duffy3074]

Both headlamps on mine have light striations through the plastic lens, they don’t appear to be caused by stone chipping or similar. They aren’t deep enough to be structural but they are on the radar to mention to the dealer when I’m in next 

If they respond positively I’ll feedback here.

[Kilsh]

Thanks Duffy, what year car is it?

[Greenman]

Mines a 15 with 19k miles but no indication of any such cracking (though I haven’t removed the unit).  

I wonder if it’s had a front end bumper impact and the bumper lifted putting pressure on the headlight causing these cracks?

Or, maybe previous owner removed unit and damaged it (there are several cases where people have cracked the corner off when removing it, this is obviously different.

Or maybe someone was pushing the car on the headlight at some point?

Or someone large was leaning against front of car?

 

...all total speculation but I’d be suprised if you had much luck w.r.t. an OPC remedy as they may raise any of the above as likely cause. So I’m not much help I’m afraid?

 

[Lonewolfgjp]

I’ve never seen any that bad before but I do think the headlight lenses on Boxsters are a weak link.

 I had staining on the inside of my 986 and 987 and very light cracks on the edges.

Equally my Black Edition ones keep going a bit white on the edge and require regular polishing.

 I ve had look at other people’s at the Porsche meets and it looks like a common issue, I saw some light brown staining on a very late 981 headlights which really surprised me.

[Kilsh]

Thanks Greenman I’m not really expecting OPC to do anything but I am interested to see what they say, ie is it a known issue etc. Just to be clear, both units are affected drivers side being the worst and they are very visible without removing them I just did to see if they go all the way through, they don’t.

cheers

Kilsh

[CPS]

I went to look at a 981Friday at an OPC.

Both headlights had a small amount of delamination on the tops.

OPCs answer was polish it out. Would not guarantee it would not happen again.

I did some research and it seems the coating is a UV coating which would stop yellowing of the plastic.

Anyhow I told them I was not interested as this would normally be sorted on warranty. They then offered to swap light units off another car in stock. I politely rejected their offer. No way would I deal with a company pulling such tricks.

To conclude, I believe there are companies who specialise in the removalabd reciting of the lenses. Just have a bit of a. Google.

[Kilsh]

Thanks Lonewolf and CPS

I think the scratches will polish out and I can probably do that myself. I have found some refurb companies and will speak to them, not sure their service covers the cracking but I will find out.

[Duffy3074]

On 7/15/2018 at 6:44 PM, Kilsh said:

Thanks Duffy, what year car is it?

2012 

 

 

 

[Kilsh]

Thanks Duffy, perhaps a problem for earlier cars then? Solihull are looking at it 1 August, not expecting them to come to the party but be interesting to hear their view.