DB9 Crazing on headlights

[rex]

I am looking at a DB9 for my father in law and he has found one he likes. 10+ years old car. The only issue is the headlights have a crazing on them which looks awful. Phoned an independent specialist to see what the fix is and apparently it’s a replacement headlight unit. Turns out the units are £1600 + VAT each. Total bill with fitting would be about £4400.Are there any alternatives solutions that people are aware of.
I asked about second hand units but there is a problem with the plastic becoming brittle due to the heat from the engine.

[TheRainMaker]

Are the cracks on the inside or outside? If it is on the outside the Vantage has a very thin projection film on the headlights which can do the same thing, but you can sand this back. The DB9 might be the same.

You would then need to apply some sort of UV protection to stop the lens from being damaged by the sun.

[darreni]

That looks like the plastic itself, rather than the surface up protection.
Replacement the only option.

[Jon39]

At 'we saw you coming' in the UK, as you have said, we pay £4,400.

Unfortunately it is rather a long way to travel, but there are some clever chaps in India, who could fix this while you wait for a few Rupees. -
Please excuse the lack of travertine stone flooring, acres of glass, reception lady and 'free' coffee/cakes.



( Looks as though you need to click on 'Watch on YouTube. )


I suppose all that you can do is try to negotiate the price down, now that you know the cost to rectify the fault.

Best of luck. Wonderful cars to own.

Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 13th October 11:45

[Riddochg]

How deep is the crazing?

It is possible to refinish lights using wet and dry paper of different grades and then polish out. I did it on mine, nowhere near as bad as that but worth considering.

Its pretty scary when you start off but the end result was lights that looked brand new. I'm guessing the plastic of the lease is pretty thick, so might be worth investigating.

[AstonV]

I’d bite the bullet and get new. You may be able to sand and polish. But the UV coating will be gone. And with AM parts shortages best to get while you can.

[Riddochg]

For what its worth here's a thread on the topic including refinishing the UV layer. Not saying its the right solution and new probably best if you can afford it.

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element...ttihrqz61o&q=https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp%3Fh%3D0%26f%3D70%26t%3D1774748&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwitrpDHsd36AhWP3KQKHdKEDTgQFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw0e3CPwfBRn2lkFl4xamMTz

[Riddochg]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[rex]

Riddochg said:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thank you. Saw that thread but it is crazing that I think is deep into the plastic.

[Simpo Two]

rex said:

I am looking at a DB9 for my father in law and he has found one he likes. 10+ years old car. The only issue is the headlights have a crazing on them which looks awful. Phoned an independent specialist to see what the fix is and apparently it’s a replacement headlight unit. Turns out the units are £1600 + VAT each. Total bill with fitting would be about £4400.Are there any alternatives solutions that people are aware of.
I asked about second hand units but there is a problem with the plastic becoming brittle due to the heat from the engine.

Can't see how that side gets heat from the engine but anyway...

Can only suggest you make an offer which allows for their condition. All DB9s and possibly all Gaydon cars suffer from cosmetic headlamp issues, so if he's looking at cars of that age he won't find perfect unless they've already been replaced.

I would consider second-hand, eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265269419270 is typical and better than what you have. And do you need an Aston specialist to fit them?

[rex]

Simpo Two said:

Can't see how that side gets heat from the engine but anyway...

It’s not the clear lens that gets the heat from the engine, it is the mounting brackets. They can break when you remove them or when you put them on the car. This is information from a specialist not personal experience. I have no idea why the clear lens gets crazing.

[F1NDW]

How much is the postage to India?

[8Tech]

So whilst £1600.00 each is no small change per headlamp, £1200.00 for an hour's work to fit them is a blatant rip-off.

But them new and spend a couple of leisurely hours yourself fitting them, it's not rocket science.

[rex]

8Tech said:

So whilst £1600.00 each is no small change per headlamp, £1200.00 for an hour's work to fit them is a blatant rip-off.

But them new and spend a couple of leisurely hours yourself fitting them, it's not rocket science.

They are £1600 + VAT so £1920 each. Fitting is thus 400-500 including VAT and this was his upper estimate for fitting allowing for possible problems.

[Simpo Two]

rex said:

It’s not the clear lens that gets the heat from the engine, it is the mounting brackets. They can break when you remove them or when you put them on the car. This is information from a specialist not personal experience. I have no idea why the clear lens gets crazing.

Ah right, THAT plastic. I can only think the clear cover goes bad because it's poor quality. The headlights on my XK gave far worse illumination than the DB9, but the covers were fine.

As for fitting, I would use my trusted local mechanic at £60/hr + VAT. But you may not have one.

[Astontony]

rex said:

I am looking at a DB9 for my father in law and he has found one he likes. 10+ years old car. The only issue is the headlights have a crazing on them which looks awful. Phoned an independent specialist to see what the fix is and apparently it’s a replacement headlight unit. Turns out the units are £1600 + VAT each. Total bill with fitting would be about £4400.Are there any alternatives solutions that people are aware of.
I asked about second hand units but there is a problem with the plastic becoming brittle due to the heat from the engine.

It is very hard to determine if the cracks are actually in the lens or just the hard coating. I would guess just the hard coating. I had my vanquish lenses done as they were crazing and they came up like new plus had a new uv hard coat for protection applied as well as clear PPF which also has uv protection build in , all for about $400 Get one done and see what the result is before springing for new ones.

[reddiesel]

Had the very same issue on a Jaguar XK some years back .You will tidy them with some gentle abrasion but replacement is the only answer and even then you will only replace them with something that in another ten years may look exactly the same .