Porsche 996 Headlights - Discoloured /cloudy

[G11ARR]

The headlights on my 996 C4S are now quite obviously looking discoloured. The lenses themselves I can only explain as if they have discoloured and turned cloudy in appearance.

I see particular companies offer DIY restoration kits (wet sanding and polish). Are they any good? Have any of you suffered with similar? What would you guys suggest?

Thanks in advance

[Magic919]

You can polish them up, but they'll never stay that way. Either expect to maintain them or cough up for new ones.

[anonymous-user]

toothpaste works well on plastic watch faces for polishing and removing scratches. Should work on plastic headlights too, but may take some time.

[jack frost 993]

Yeah, any polish on an DA machine polisher will work wonders.

Did my rear lights and reflector - came up like new.

[swilding]

I removed my headlight units recently and ended up using wet and dry and then normal car polish. They look so much better but I do end up buffing them up every week or so. Could also just be my OCD!

I seem to recall replacements were $$$$$$. Certainly worth a go.

[SoliD]

I had this and got myself a 3M headlight restoration kit, it brought them up a treat, well worth investing in.

[edc]

I have a set of front lights in good condition from a 2000 Boxster if you want to replace on the cheap.

[edc]

Fair enough, I thought 986 and 996 were interchange able.

[G11ARR]

Thanks for the feedback chaps. Think I'm going to give the 3M restoration kit a go and see how I get on.

[monthefish]

G11ARR said:

Thanks for the feedback chaps. Think I'm going to give the 3M restoration kit a go and see how I get on.

Can you report back once done?

I'm always on the look out for decent products like that.

[monthefish]

More details and brief video here - certainly looks good.

[Harris_I]

I think it's only an hour's labour or so at a decent valet shop. Not sure I would personally bother spending twenty quid plus probably two incompetent man hours of my own time doing the same job.

[G11ARR]

Reporting Back :

Got myself a 3m restoration kit and finaly plucked up the courage to have a go this weekend.
After a couple of hours work I'm delighted to report they almost look like new again Chuffed to bits!

Certainly glad I didn't cough off on some new ones! As per the first reply on here but a big thanks to everyone on here for their recommendations and help.

Actually have a before and after shot but unsure how to post up on here. PM me if required.

Thanks agian

Edited by G11ARR on Wednesday 1st August 11:43

[Shewie]

G11ARR said:

Reporting Back :

Got myself a 3m restoration kit and finaly plucked up the courage to have a go this weekend.
After a couple of hours work I'm delighted to report they almost look like new again Chuffed to bits!

Certainly glad I didn't cough off on some new ones! As per the first reply on here but a big thanks to everyone on here for their recommendations and help.

Actually have a before and after shot but unsure how to post up on here. PM me if required.

Thanks agian

Edited by G11ARR on Wednesday 1st August 11:43

Thats good to hear. I'm in the same position. My C4S headlights aren't dreadful but they are starting to show their age. I bought the 3m kit a few weeks ago from Amazon, but haven't yet had the bottle to start sanding my headlights with a drill - particularly having seen the price of replacements if I screw it up. Would be good to see the before and after pics if you have some, so will PM

[davek_964]

Meguiars PlastX also works very well on plastic headlights. Was a popular solution for imported Supras.

[monthefish]

G11ARR said:

Actually have a before and after shot but unsure how to post up on here.

Full instructions here.

I'd love to see them.

[acf69]

Helpful thread, mine are fine, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. I did see some quite dreadful ones when I was looking and it does let a car down.

[Jd27]

Try machine polish first with a cutting polish ( more abrasive), use a rag and cordless drill if you don't have access to a polisher. Then go for wet sanding after, I have machine polisher and just used polish on my dads Subaru ( it's 12 years old and he lives in spain, so was pretty bad) and it came up a treat!

[Magic919]

Did these with the 3M kit. Before pic doesn't really capture the misty lens, but the rest show how the job progresses. Removed the chrome washer cap as they are £40 a pop.

[TDIfurby]

I have the gear to do headlight lens clearing. I don't use a "kit" - I just know what I have to use and I have it all. Essentially though, its wet sanding with a fine paper, then polishing, but I would clay the surface beforehand to ensure no contaminants.

Amazing how well they come up once that sun damaged / road grime peppered layer is removed.