crazed lenses on 996tt

[dougg996]

The bi-xenon lenses on my 2003 996tt have become quite badly crazed. Anybody have any suggestions to remedy this problem, short of replacing headlight units?

[EleCTriCT]

crazed? foggy/dull/milky?

i believe 3M has a headlight restore kit, includes stuff like sanding discs, polishing wheel and polish

[dougg996]

yes foggy and dull. do you know the name of this product?

[JFP in PA]

Long before I'd take any kind sandpaper to the lights, I would start with an orbital buffer and some fine glass polish (we use Griot's); usually that is all it takes to bring them back to near new condition.

Just don't get this stuff on the paint, mask off the lights first.

[DaveCarrera4S]

There are many threads dealing with this topic, if not here the other two forums. Also check the 996 forum.

[Loren]

Even a DIY Video here: http://www.renntech.org/forums/videos/view-85-remove-and-polish-porsche-996-headlights/

[dougg996]

Thanks everybody for input. JFP, can you tell me which Griot's product you have used as there appear to be various options.

[JFP in PA]

Thanks everybody for input. JFP, can you tell me which Griot's product you have used as there appear to be various options.

Griot's fine glass polish, Amazon carries it as well as Griot's website: http://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-11074-Glass-Polish/dp/B00AX4TW98/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1402085044&sr=1-1&keywords=griot%27s+glass+polish

[Dr. Wood]

I have had excellent results on all cars in my shop using 600 grit all the way up to 1500 grit. Then take a foam pad with novis plastic polish. They will look better than new...

[JFP in PA]

I have had excellent results on all cars in my shop using 600 grit all the way up to 1500 grit. Then take a foam pad with novis plastic polish. They will look better than new...

I wasn't saying it cannot be done using sandpaper, but most of the DIY's that we have seen that went very wrong involved sandpaper, while nobody seems to have problems using a fine glass polish and a buffer instead. Sandpaper, even when wet, can cut very quickly and deeply, leaving a real mess to recover, especially when used with power tools; fine glass polish cuts more slowly and in a more controlled manner, so it is more forgiving to first time mistakes.

[dougg996]

Thanks again for your suggestions.

[darrinsmith]

There seem to also be numerous "kits" for doing this. I recently saw a "turtle wax headlight restorer kit".

(Dougg996 - supercheaps sell it for $30 bucks).

Has anyone had any luck with these kits, or is the DIY option the best.

My RH headlight looks like a crow did line dancing on it, it's not foggy though..

[JFP in PA]

There seem to also be numerous "kits" for doing this. I recently saw a "turtle wax headlight restorer kit".

(Dougg996 - supercheaps sell it for $30 bucks).

Has anyone had any luck with these kits, or is the DIY option the best.

My RH headlight looks like a crow did line dancing on it, it's not foggy though..

 

Headlights with crazing, which is what yours sounds like, probably will not benefit from the over the counter cheap kits which are designed to deal with hazed over units.  For major scratches or crazing, you are going to need to go to sanding.  Fortunately, 3M makes a pretty good kit for this that contains several abrasive grit levels to sand out the problems, plus a polish to remove any haze, and protectant to apply when the lights are done.  You can find these at Wal-Mart, Amazon, and many other outlets:

 

[987_RDC]

3M kit is really good. I recommend applying a Xpel clear film after. Otherwise the UV will re-damage the lights.

[Highlander]

3M kit is really good. I recommend applying a Xpel clear film after. Otherwise the UV will re-damage the lights.

 

+1 on the 3M kit.  Buy 2.  I went through a whole kit on each lens on my Boxster.

+1 on a good UV protectant too.   1 year after the refurb, my headlights started to yellow.  Quickly got rid of the yellowing with ScratchX, but it would not have been necessary if I had taken the time to put a good UV protectant on them.

[wross996TT]

on sale right now:

 

http://www.amazon.com/3M-39008-Headlight-Restoration-System/dp/B001AIZ5HY?tag=dealnewscom

[Dave Rojas]

covers or paint seems to be the answer.....

 

[BLKMGK]

Clear urethane thinned 50:50 with mineral spirits and applied with a lint-free blue paper towel used by painters will protect from UV. The thinned material self levels well.