Crazed Headlight Lens replacement - V8V
Discussion
Until recently I think the only option for a beyond saving (i,e lens was internally crazed and could not be restored/sanded and polished back to life) headlight was to replace the whole unit at many ££££.
I have an otherwise perfect working unit just with unsightly UV damage crazing into the lens that cant be restored.
I found the other day the chaps at ECPS, who I know do some lovely carbon parts for our cars, are offering replacement lenses now for £500.
https://ecpsgroup.com/produkt/aston-martin-vantage...
I haven't had a headlight out of my car (06 V8) before, but if it's anything like the rear light, which I attempted to heat and break open to dry out (before giving up an buying a used unit,) its a pain in arse to separate the lens from the unit.
The headlights however look to have a more "clip on" arrangement, but of course they will be sealed somehow.
Has anyone taken the lens off their headlight before and was it straightforward/relatively doable?
Cheers
I have an otherwise perfect working unit just with unsightly UV damage crazing into the lens that cant be restored.
I found the other day the chaps at ECPS, who I know do some lovely carbon parts for our cars, are offering replacement lenses now for £500.
https://ecpsgroup.com/produkt/aston-martin-vantage...
I haven't had a headlight out of my car (06 V8) before, but if it's anything like the rear light, which I attempted to heat and break open to dry out (before giving up an buying a used unit,) its a pain in arse to separate the lens from the unit.
The headlights however look to have a more "clip on" arrangement, but of course they will be sealed somehow.
Has anyone taken the lens off their headlight before and was it straightforward/relatively doable?
Cheers
I've taken hundreds of lenses of Vantages and DB9s.
If its the original sealant they usually come off very easily.
Ideally heat it in an oven at 100C for 10 minutes so that the sealant and the clips soften, if you don't have a large enough oven then carefully use a heat gun on a lowish setting.
First make sure that the clips are soft enough to ease back over the catches then use a lever to open one side (opposite side to the washer nozzle and then ideally use spreader pliers (designed for the job) to slowly open one side up, whilst keeping it warm, once you have one side entirely open you should be able to pull them apart.
Use some heat and a smallish screwdriver to clear the channel out of any excess sealant.
Reseal with (I use) Sikaflex 221
If its the original sealant they usually come off very easily.
Ideally heat it in an oven at 100C for 10 minutes so that the sealant and the clips soften, if you don't have a large enough oven then carefully use a heat gun on a lowish setting.
First make sure that the clips are soft enough to ease back over the catches then use a lever to open one side (opposite side to the washer nozzle and then ideally use spreader pliers (designed for the job) to slowly open one side up, whilst keeping it warm, once you have one side entirely open you should be able to pull them apart.
Use some heat and a smallish screwdriver to clear the channel out of any excess sealant.
Reseal with (I use) Sikaflex 221
DB9S Paul said:
I've taken hundreds of lenses of Vantages and DB9s.
If its the original sealant they usually come off very easily.
Ideally heat it in an oven at 100C for 10 minutes so that the sealant and the clips soften, if you don't have a large enough oven then carefully use a heat gun on a lowish setting.
First make sure that the clips are soft enough to ease back over the catches then use a lever to open one side (opposite side to the washer nozzle and then ideally use spreader pliers (designed for the job) to slowly open one side up, whilst keeping it warm, once you have one side entirely open you should be able to pull them apart.
Use some heat and a smallish screwdriver to clear the channel out of any excess sealant.
Reseal with (I use) Sikaflex 221
100s…… sounds like you do it professionally…… can you do mine? If its the original sealant they usually come off very easily.
Ideally heat it in an oven at 100C for 10 minutes so that the sealant and the clips soften, if you don't have a large enough oven then carefully use a heat gun on a lowish setting.
First make sure that the clips are soft enough to ease back over the catches then use a lever to open one side (opposite side to the washer nozzle and then ideally use spreader pliers (designed for the job) to slowly open one side up, whilst keeping it warm, once you have one side entirely open you should be able to pull them apart.
Use some heat and a smallish screwdriver to clear the channel out of any excess sealant.
Reseal with (I use) Sikaflex 221
Thanks for the above - I’ll look up how to remove the thing first which I imagine is a faff vs the tail lights, and have a go…. thanks for recommendations
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