Crazing Headlights XC70

[Msmith2566]

Hi,

I have noticed that both headlights on my XC70 (64 plate) have started to craze, on the drivers side it has even started delaminating. I spoke to the dealer and they said it is due to chemical damage probably from valeting.

I have an 07 plate Vauxhall Vectra and a 59 plate VW Golf, both with plastic headlights, both go to the same valeting place and both cars have faultless headlights.

How many other XC70 owners have also had the same issue?

Thanks

Msmith2566

[green van man]

59 plate xc70 no issue with the plastic headlights as yet. Car washed regularly at home useing wash wax shampoo and polished 3 times a year useing autoglym resin polish.

Very rarely it sees a car wash if I'm on holiday and it needs doing.

I have found wheel cleaner attacks the poor paint and leads to corrosion on the alloy wheels.

Paul.

[Tatsfield]

Acrylic plastics are vulnerable to certain types of detergents. It is for that reason that aircraft cleaning chemicals have to pass anti crazing tests on acrylics to prevent them crazing aircraft windows that could blow out at 40,000 feet! Car headlight are just as vulnerable but cheapo car valeting outfits don't test or use craze free certified detergents. It is one reason why you're better of washing your own car and using quality detergents for the job.

[dannynic]

Mine is an early model '57' plate and there is no discolouration or delaminating of the headlight at all. Alot better than some other makes and models you see going around.

[SwissXC90]

I have a 2009 XC90 and no discolouration at all.

Key here is if you park outside (constant UV light bombardment) or inside-

Mine was garaged by the previous owner, and I have a garage as well.

You fix options are:
1. Replacement ($$$$$$)
2. Sand down and polish, and coat with a UV protector. Then try to keep car in a garage to maximise the time before you have to do it again.

[green van man]

As far as I am aware my car has never been garage stored, certainly I don't have one and an xc is unlikely to fit most garages in Britain today. It is parked on a north facing drive.

Paul.

[ferg55]

This isnt a problem on these headlamps under usual circumstances, regardless of garaged or not. I'd suggest the lenses have been polished with an abrasive at some point which would have attacked the polycarbonate allowing UV to degrade it from that point onwards. Or they are non-original inferior replacements after a smash at some point?

[Model flyer]

The polycarbonate lenses are usually coated with a two pack acrylic laquer . You will see many cars driving around with brown/ disscoloured headlamps.How they pass an MOT is another question as they are a dazzle hazard. Any way check that it's the actual lens that's cracked and not just the coating/ surface . Some car sales have headlamps refurbished to make the car look brighter but they only use a cheap laquer that will brown after a year or so. If as in many cases it's just the surface they can be rubbed down with wet and dry used wet. Start with 800 to remove all marks or discoloration. Rub back and forth not in circles . Lens should now look milky . Now use 1200/1400 grit to remove the 880 grit marks again rubbing back and forth using plenty of water. Don't use any finer grit as this will not provide a good grip for the laquer in the next stage. Dry off and lense will be much more see through but still milky. They now need spraying with a good two pack acrylic laquer. This has a built in UV protection. Any good car paint factors can supply a aerosol of two pack laquer. Once activated it will only last about 24 hours so make sure you have any bits and pieces that need laquering are ready. You could get a local body shop to coat them for you If the actual lenses are crazed then get looking for some replacements they now available for the p3 as aftermarket items and not too expensive.

[ferg55]

Originally Posted by Model flyer

If the actual lenses are crazed then get looking for some replacements they now available for the p3 as aftermarket items and not too expensive.

I could do with replacing my lenses, any idea where from? I can only find p2's on the web.

[Model flyer]

Sorry should have made it clear. The p3 complete headlamps are now available around the £ 100 mark. I may be wrong but don't think p3 lenses are available as they are glued to the unit whereas the P2 has glass lenses that are clipped on.
Ps jus had another look to get a link but can only find them at £175 !