Discoloured Xenon Headlights

[Bisonhead]

Afternoon all,

I have an A6 2.8 Quattro with Xenons. The nearside headlight has discoloured due to pitting/crazing (cant remember which). Its the same condition you see on a lot of older cars, Im not sure if it is a chemical breakdown or what but I would like to get it back to a nice clear state.

I have tried 180 and 2000 grain wet and dry, Brasso and even (carefully) wheel cleaner.

Any recommendations or tips?

Sorry if this is a common thread, I did search the first 12 pages and couldnt find anything similar (unless I am blind)

[Otispunkmeyer]

Youtube this , there are loads of guides! All have their slight differences but for bad ones the gist is - Wet sanding with 2-3 different grades of paper (1000 to 3000 grit) then following up with some kind of polish suitable for plastic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sZg9cj2hxI

thats one I watched, seems to be one of the better ones... though he does use a machine polisher at the end. I guess you could do this by hand in not too much time, its only a small area. And yes it is caused due to breakdown of the plastic and mechanically damage.

However, check to make sure it is not the inside. My old Skoda Superb had yellowing headlamps and it also had weird stains on one of them. I found these were actually on the inside of the lens!!! I was told to remove the lamps and place them in the oven for 5 minutes to get them warm enough to unseal the lens from the housing. THen clean and do the reverse to put back together.

EDIT: Even better one (probably), by the Chemical Guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGQEHhxXYoc&fea...

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Wednesday 10th October 21:37

[Bisonhead]

Thanks, I will give that a go this weekend

[theshrew]

Wet and dry to really fine stuff ( cant think what grades )

Anyway once you have done that whack a machine polisher on it and it will come up like new, obv as long as you havent any huge cracks chips in it.

This also works for your rear lights.

[Zed 44]

I believe these lights are coated with a polycarbonate coating and the recommendation is NEVER to wet & dry, polish or anything else unless in a dreadful state