Plastic Lenses On Headlights

Is there any way to replace them without having to buy complete new units? I just opened them up and repainted/cleaned them as they were a bit grotty inside but now the insides are nice the outside looks like it's been shot blasted. I tried spraying them with clear lacquer but it just looked crap, so cleaned it off again. I also have the problem of what looks like tape residue marks. I did a track day and put some tape on to prevent stones smashing them, it was a stupidly hot day and when the tape was removed it peeled the top layer off. It's barely noticeable but they are just starting to look a bit scabby. Could a bodyshop spray/cover them in anything to improve things?

You can't buy the lenses on their own, tho you may be able to find one with a broken adjustment mechanism you could take the lens from Lighter fluid is good at removing traces of adhesives, but make sure you wipe it off quickly

As they are badly marked anyway you have nothing to lose. I would try rubbing them down with very fine wet and dry paper then polishing the marks out with Brasso. Takes a long time and some hard graft but I have done that on Perspex before and it does work. I wouldn't risk a mechanical polisher as it may get the surface to hot and cause even more damage.

The marks left aren't removable. It seems that when the tape stuck, the hot weather caused it to bite into the surface of the plastic and as a result the marks are lower than the original surface. It's a bit weird really I wondered if a bit of Armourfend etc would have enough edhesive to fill all the pits and marks if applied?

As they are badly marked anyway you have nothing to lose. I would try rubbing them down with very fine wet and dry paper then polishing the marks out with Brasso. Takes a long time and some hard graft but I have done that on Perspex before and it does work. I wouldn't risk a mechanical polisher as it may get the surface to hot and cause even more damage.

That sounds like a serious sh*t or bust scenario, does you professional advice come with any gaurantees

Edited by Karlosfandango, 11 November 2007 - 11:25 AM.

No Gaurantee but, try it on a small section first.

As they are badly marked anyway you have nothing to lose. I would try rubbing them down with very fine wet and dry paper then polishing the marks out with Brasso. Takes a long time and some hard graft but I have done that on Perspex before and it does work. I wouldn't risk a mechanical polisher as it may get the surface to hot and cause even more damage.

This is NOT a good idea, trust me! You can do that on the rears with no problems but the fronts are a whole different kettle of fish and are very, very tough!

I have two NA headlights that have broken adjusters, hence I fitted two new lights. They are in my loft, but I believe lens are in perfect condition as they were fitted with armourfend from new (except first two weeks..).... I was looking to sell for a reasonable offer, as it seems headlight refurbisment/colour is gaining popularity.. The backs have been cut to attempt adjusters fix, which was partly successful, but I wasn't entirely happy with outcome, hence had a big bill.... Make me an offer and I'll get the loft ladder down...

As they are badly marked anyway you have nothing to lose. I would try rubbing them down with very fine wet and dry paper then polishing the marks out with Brasso. Takes a long time and some hard graft but I have done that on Perspex before and it does work. I wouldn't risk a mechanical polisher as it may get the surface to hot and cause even more damage.

This is NOT a good idea, trust me! You can do that on the rears with no problems but the fronts are a whole different kettle of fish and are very, very tough!

Why the rears and not the fronts ? By the sounds of it the covers are in a poor condition anyway, especially as they have been laquered too.

The rears are a soft perspex which you can pollish fairly easily with a micromesh pollishing kit (a fabric based wet and dry especially for pollishing canopies). The fronts on the other hand are a totally different material, some kind of polycarbonate which is much, much tougher. Even a specialist perspex and glass pollishing company were able to do much with them. There is also a layer of what I think is UV protection in them which is easy to go through making them look patchy. Mick, I'm also interested in your lenses!