Cracked headlight lens- what glue?

BenB · Oct 10th, 2010, 21:18

I've got a crack in one of my headlight lenses, and moisture gets in and fogs up. I'm trying to think what to use to seal it up- if I drip superglue into it I'm scared the fumes will etch the plastic permanently. I tried dabbing the crack with clear silicon, but it still lets in moisture. What's the best glue for this job??

Clan · Oct 10th, 2010, 21:23

model aircraft kit adhesive , it actualy melts the plastic a bit and bonds the two parts together . You may see the repair but at least it will be weather proof

Jonnieb2009 · Oct 10th, 2010, 21:25

What year is the car? I have a set if headlamps sat in my garage years 2004-2007.

J

BenB · Oct 10th, 2010, 21:25

Same as plumbers glue isn't it? Might try some carefully with a pin or a toothpick!

BenB · Oct 10th, 2010, 21:28

It's the facelift Johnnie, I split the lights to clean dusty crap off the white surround part, seems I wasn't careful enough on one side (oops)

I have seen them come up for sale on ebay, but I.d rather not spend any more than I absolutely need to right now!

Jonnieb2009 · Oct 10th, 2010, 21:32

Oh well I cant get rid of these headlamps !

JB has a spare set sat in his garage as hes now got bi-xenons!

Are they standard or xenons?

jasonb · Oct 10th, 2010, 23:04

Hi Ben, is that the headlight which I gave you!!!
I know it was full of dust and I did toy with the idea of splitting the lens to clean but decided against it back then....hence you have it and I guess you may have re-fixed the incorrectly mounted plastic dipped beam bezel?

Yes I have a near perfect set to the ones you have on yours.
Not sure at the moment if I need them as I have three Bi-Xenons (don't ask).
If I can get the Bi-Xenons working I'll let the Halogens go.

Apparently you can use a hair-dryer to split the seal.
Have you actually removed the front section or just tried to repair?
You would need to re-heat the seals before closing in order to get a good bond.
Having said that, have you tried just heating the leaking section? Maybe the heat will allow the seal to bond better?

And now the bad news for you, I've since found out that you can remove the dipped beam holder from the headlamp without cracking the seal!
A little bit of a fiddle and out it comes (three bolts secure).

Once it's out, you can get a cleaning rag into the lens area and give a good ole dab. Might be worth blowing some high pressure cold air in there to remove some of the debris ?

Good luck!

BenB · Oct 12th, 2010, 14:54

I can't remember which side was which now! I heated the seals with a hot air gun and they came apart quite easily. I did both sides and was really chuffed with how cleanly they came apart until I later noticed one was cracked!
How embarrassing after your generosity! oops!

I saw how the projector lens was supposed to come out, but I couldn't get to one of the torx heads.
Would have been the solution to refixing the loose peice, but I wanted to get the white bit nice and clean to get it perfect (Not exactly perfect now it's cracked!!)

jasonb · Oct 12th, 2010, 17:11

I used a flexible shaft connected to a socket set and a hex bit.
Worked a treat!

jamesnee · Apr 16th, 2011, 19:50

Hi,

I need a left side hologan headlamp. My car is 2005 V50 (front part identical to S40). I can pay for a reasonable price and shipping to Europe.

Best regards,
James Nee

Oct 10th, 2010, 21:18	#1
BenB V50 Driver Last Online: May 16th, 2022 09:47 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Manchester	Cracked headlight lens- what glue? I've got a crack in one of my headlight lenses, and moisture gets in and fogs up. I'm trying to think what to use to seal it up- if I drip superglue into it I'm scared the fumes will etch the plastic permanently. I tried dabbing the crack with clear silicon, but it still lets in moisture. What's the best glue for this job??

Oct 10th, 2010, 21:23	#2
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Today 14:00 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	model aircraft kit adhesive , it actualy melts the plastic a bit and bonds the two parts together . You may see the repair but at least it will be weather proof __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Oct 10th, 2010, 23:04	#7
jasonb In the mood for change! Last Online: May 8th, 2017 10:56 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Manchester	Hi Ben, is that the headlight which I gave you!!! I know it was full of dust and I did toy with the idea of splitting the lens to clean but decided against it back then....hence you have it and I guess you may have re-fixed the incorrectly mounted plastic dipped beam bezel? Yes I have a near perfect set to the ones you have on yours. Not sure at the moment if I need them as I have three Bi-Xenons (don't ask). If I can get the Bi-Xenons working I'll let the Halogens go. Apparently you can use a hair-dryer to split the seal. Have you actually removed the front section or just tried to repair? You would need to re-heat the seals before closing in order to get a good bond. Having said that, have you tried just heating the leaking section? Maybe the heat will allow the seal to bond better? And now the bad news for you, I've since found out that you can remove the dipped beam holder from the headlamp without cracking the seal! A little bit of a fiddle and out it comes (three bolts secure). Once it's out, you can get a cleaning rag into the lens area and give a good ole dab. Might be worth blowing some high pressure cold air in there to remove some of the debris ? Good luck! __________________ Volvo V40 Cross Country D2 Lux NAV

Oct 12th, 2010, 17:11	#9
jasonb In the mood for change! Last Online: May 8th, 2017 10:56 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Manchester	I used a flexible shaft connected to a socket set and a hex bit. Worked a treat! __________________ Volvo V40 Cross Country D2 Lux NAV

Oct 10th, 2010, 21:25	#3
Jonnieb2009 Master Member Last Online: Nov 23rd, 2011 15:19 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Helsby View Photos By: Jonnieb2009	What year is the car? I have a set if headlamps sat in my garage years 2004-2007. J

Oct 10th, 2010, 21:28	#5
BenB V50 Driver Last Online: May 16th, 2022 09:47 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Manchester	It's the facelift Johnnie, I split the lights to clean dusty crap off the white surround part, seems I wasn't careful enough on one side (oops) I have seen them come up for sale on ebay, but I.d rather not spend any more than I absolutely need to right now!

Oct 10th, 2010, 21:32	#6
Jonnieb2009 Master Member Last Online: Nov 23rd, 2011 15:19 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Helsby View Photos By: Jonnieb2009	Oh well I cant get rid of these headlamps ! JB has a spare set sat in his garage as hes now got bi-xenons! Are they standard or xenons?

Oct 12th, 2010, 14:54	#8
BenB V50 Driver Last Online: May 16th, 2022 09:47 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Manchester	I can't remember which side was which now! I heated the seals with a hot air gun and they came apart quite easily. I did both sides and was really chuffed with how cleanly they came apart until I later noticed one was cracked! How embarrassing after your generosity! oops! I saw how the projector lens was supposed to come out, but I couldn't get to one of the torx heads. Would have been the solution to refixing the loose peice, but I wanted to get the white bit nice and clean to get it perfect (Not exactly perfect now it's cracked!!)

Apr 16th, 2011, 19:50	#10
jamesnee New Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2011 20:30 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Espoo	Hi, I need a left side hologan headlamp. My car is 2005 V50 (front part identical to S40). I can pay for a reasonable price and shipping to Europe. Best regards, James Nee

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