alank Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 I have had builders next door for a few weeks now so decided to cover my box with a new condition full cover i had for my ex 986. Decided to lift the front part this morning to refit my repaired Alarm module ( which now chirps ), to my horror both my Headlights had Grazing to the lenses (looks like that crackle glass ornaments are made of) . Contemplated finnishing a bottle of finest single malt , but have gone to work thinking about my options, what a sh-t show. I know its a problem Porsche Lenses can have, shame they cant be made more robust , if Porsche know it happens. I can only think it was caused by the sun beating down on the dark cover , in turn heating up the Lenses, as normally the clear plastic would not heat up in the sun. Any suggestions greatly appreciated, many thanks alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iborguk Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Looks like third party replacement lenses are available but obviously needs the required knowledge/surgery. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285074605034?hash=item425fc543ea:g:olQAAOSweQ5jl~u3&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4EUTqrxcoetQcHp%2Fh16xXmwWuN6A%2F9UrglcOQ97e6yVEzn1EXyUQt0fo7CJf5ApuZ7aBtGi4Fport5AyXikyiPvpdEt%2FXpM19toa8kaQ7NTjkC5U7OKraJerL%2BPWpgBeg33NnraK4uzJSzniC92J7Yrg7SrdLabJ4JWOpqAuU6dg0fK2EaEkFFHJ0R7i4o6OLVrscRpZOqNP7dLbPgtKqNihHyj9PUFDchDUmp02BLMuaBdaJpFpYzGrENlVnu6lG7slEQDL23TC7Ah1WuXZScSmW4CEjmUVAF4ugHGqh95H|tkp%3ABFBMpL-g8o5i Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iborguk Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Random internet find, no affiliation, based in UK https://rennlens.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz05 Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 (edited) Having done a DIY on some old units and de-chroming I'd recommend paying someone who has experience it's a pig of a job, lots of hours until you build the confidence up and the risk of damaging something is quite high, then you have the added complication of dust/debris getting into the unit. Buy second hand or pay a pro whatever is less. Edited June 1, 2023 by daz05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted June 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 thanks for replies. thought it looked a pain diy, and that Rennlens seem quite reasonable against cost of new££££££££££ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshine Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 3 hours ago, alank said: I have had builders next door for a few weeks now so decided to cover my box with a new condition full cover i had for my ex 986. Decided to lift the front part this morning to refit my repaired Alarm module ( which now chirps ), to my horror both my Headlights had Grazing to the lenses (looks like that crackle glass ornaments are made of) . Contemplated finnishing a bottle of finest single malt , but have gone to work thinking about my options, what a sh-t show. I know its a problem Porsche Lenses can have, shame they cant be made more robust , if Porsche know it happens. I can only think it was caused by the sun beating down on the dark cover , in turn heating up the Lenses, as normally the clear plastic would not heat up in the sun. Any suggestions greatly appreciated, many thanks alan Ive got no reason to doubt what you say, but I'm just a bit incredulous that such deterioration can happen in a couple of weeks…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted June 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 Before i covered it they were immaculate. What i thought and a repair company (Rennlens) said is that the dark cover acted like a greenhouse and kept the lens hot on the many sunny days we have had recently. I would recommend , at least, not using a DARK cover in summer. A silver one probably would have been fine, reflecting the sun. May have a word with a detailer and see if they can be sanded out and polished back, anyway drove it to work just now and still love it, all buttons pressed🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iborguk Posted June 2, 2023 Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 (edited) 21 minutes ago, alank said: Before i covered it they were immaculate. What i thought and a repair company (Rennlens) said is that the dark cover acted like a greenhouse and kept the lens hot on the many sunny days we have had recently. I would recommend , at least, not using a DARK cover in summer. A silver one probably would have been fine, reflecting the sun. May have a word with a detailer and see if they can be sanded out and polished back, anyway drove it to work just now and still love it, all buttons pressed🙂 Got some pics of the damage ? Edited June 2, 2023 by iborguk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted June 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 https://imgur.com/a/7ErYUF4 photos of my lights. Apparently the top coat has gone . A detailer near me said he would do the refurb and PPF after for £199 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDonald Posted June 8, 2023 Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 30 minutes ago, alank said: https://imgur.com/a/7ErYUF4 photos of my lights. Apparently the top coat has gone . A detailer near me said he would do the refurb and PPF after for £199 I had mine done about 18 months ago, they still look new. Money well spent in my view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iborguk Posted June 8, 2023 Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 47 minutes ago, alank said: https://imgur.com/a/7ErYUF4 photos of my lights. Apparently the top coat has gone . A detailer near me said he would do the refurb and PPF after for £199 Wow ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshine Posted June 8, 2023 Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 Yikes! Interestingly, my detailer said not to PPF the lights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iborguk Posted June 8, 2023 Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 14 minutes ago, moonshine said: Yikes! Interestingly, my detailer said not to PPF the lights Ditto re the PPF , heard the same thing although that was with the top layer intact. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonshine Posted June 8, 2023 Report Share Posted June 8, 2023 49 minutes ago, iborguk said: Ditto re the PPF , heard the same thing although that was with the top layer intact. Yeah, I think removing the PPF tears off the uv coating. Not such an issue on damaged lenses that need restored tho. 😢 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codfanglers Posted June 10, 2023 Report Share Posted June 10, 2023 On 6/8/2023 at 1:40 PM, iborguk said: Wow ! Is that some kind of aftermarket coating that has crazed? I polish the lenses of my lights every 6 months or so when they start to look cloudy. Not a long job, but I was considering what UV protection to use as there seems to be mixed reviews on the results with coatings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted June 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 No its the original finnish. Dont cover your car with dark covers in sunlight/hot day, or else............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddypaws Posted June 12, 2023 Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 I'm puzzled - why would covering with a dark colour cover intensify detrimental UV radiation or am I being dense? Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz05 Posted June 12, 2023 Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 He's suggesting that the temperature was too high and cracked the finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted June 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 Yes, the UV didn't do the damage it was the heat caused by the cover directly laying over the glass, and probably causing the temp inside the light fitting to get excessive, and cause the outer clear coat to crack, probably some Thermal miss match or something?? All i know was it was perfect a couple of weeks ago before i put the cover over it. Wont be doing that again, only in deepest winter🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBB Posted June 12, 2023 Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 Out of sheer curiosity, do the crazing marks lessen if you press hard (with the heel of your hand)? If they do, then the damage is confined to the very top layer of the polymer and is normally indicative of residual stress from the casting process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted June 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 will try later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddypaws Posted June 12, 2023 Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 Is this one reason why OE Porsche outdoor covers are silver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted June 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2023 your probably right................, My half cover is silver and keeps the cabin quite cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alank Posted August 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 Had lights looked at by a detailer and quite pleased with results. Not perfect but miles away from what they were. https://imgur.com/a/8J8HcUh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iborguk Posted August 3, 2023 Report Share Posted August 3, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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