Forester STI Headlight replacement/refurb

Forester STI Headlight replacement/refurb

Author
Discussion

samdale

Original Poster:

2,860 posts

184 months

Tuesday 6th June 2023
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Standard plastic headlight foggy lens problem.

Does anyone have a reliable source for parts? Car is a facelift SG9. Don't particularly mind if it's a replacement lens or a whole unit, just something I can be confident is a) The correct part, b) Not a scam, c) UK compliant for MOT.

Thanks

xstian

1,973 posts

146 months

Tuesday 6th June 2023
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Have you tried polishing them? I used to use a polishing kit that's fits onto a cordless drill, but I just use a standard body panel polisher now, it's much quicker. I have to do our Forester every year now, but it's only a 10 min job.

Smint

1,716 posts

35 months

Tuesday 6th June 2023
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Thought i would have to replace the lights on my Prado, had been polishing them with metal polish over the years but they were getting really bad.

Genuine headlights circa £600 the pair (Mitsi's were costlier and Subaru will almost certainly be too), nothing to lose so before splashing out i spent £25 on the 3M kit, they came up like new...its a bit scary after the initial dry grind but follow the directions exactly and they come up really well.

I have an SG9 as well, so far its only the top ledge foir the side light that needed polishing, sooner or later they too witll get the 3M treatment.

Some use clear coat on them afterwards, i use a an anti uv polish on them every couple of months instead, its working so far.

vxr2010

2,565 posts

159 months

Tuesday 6th June 2023
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As above polish first , my fsti lights look brand new , option 2 was import car parts were selling the lenses only , can be a bit of a faff to swap the lenses over

Cambs_Stuart

2,871 posts

84 months

Wednesday 7th June 2023
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I've used this kit:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-39186-Quick-Headlight-...

Applying the UV coating is a bit tricky, but it looks like it'll last longer than most of the other kits I've tried.