Headlights chips

[kwstantinosk89]

anybody have the same issue with headlights lenses? too many small chips! can i do anything to make them look clear? maybe tint them?

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[bluefox280]

Wet sand, plastic cleaner abrasive and buffing compound - that all you can do.

- Erik

[treginginco]

I clear bra'd my headlights after buying my allroad - no problems


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[Audi 4 Life]

X2 follow both of these reccomendations. I did that on my last audi and they came out excellent.

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[hyperunion]

To prevent!.. xpel when new... Then replace xpel every year and half or so depending on driving millage

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[A4x]

Where can I buy the xpel from? Or do I have to use an installer?

My headlights are pretty bad. Need to polish them then apply some protection. I'm getting sick of this.

[Zach L]

Buy new housing lenses ($170) then put lamin-x aka xpel on them.

[A4x]

Buy new housing lenses ($170) then put lamin-x aka xpel on them.

OK I found the link to Lamin-x on ECS, but do you have a link or part number for the housing lenses?

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_A4...ights/Lamin-X/

[Audi 4 Life]

I highly reccomend having it professionally installed.

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[kwstantinosk89]

Thank you bros for the answers! I bought the car used from England last May..so many chips first time i see on a 2years car wtf 🤐
The only thing i can do now maybe its clear bra d my headlights but i think the chips will look the same at night ...

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[A4x]

I've started to research this. It might help to buy a headlight restoration kit and use the various grit sandpaper to gently remove some of the factory clear coat (be sure to wet sand very gently!). Then polish them up and apply protection like Lamin-x. I might try this.

To the poster above who recommended to have Lamin-x professionally installed. Why?

It doesn't look like it would be too difficult to do the headlights. I would not want to do a full bra tho.

[kwstantinosk89]

I've started to research this. It might help to buy a headlight restoration kit and use the various grit sandpaper to gently remove some of the factory clear coat (be sure to wet sand very gently!). Then polish them up and apply protection like Lamin-x. I might try this.

To the poster above who recommended to have Lamin-x professionally installed. Why?

It doesn't look like it would be too difficult to do the headlights. I would not want to do a full bra tho.

Or maybe if we try a clear coat spray paint maybe the headlights will look better...

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[Project Quattro]

I'd be very hesitant to sand the lenses. It can look better in the short term, but once that protective layer is removed they can turn yellow. Just my 2 cents. Film would be your best bet, but all headlight lenses do this over time unless they're immediately protected so I wouldn't sweat it.

[CONative]

OK I found the link to Lamin-x on ECS, but do you have a link or part number for the housing lenses?

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_A4...ights/Lamin-X/

Here's a link for lenses - pre-facelift only though - haven't came across a set for the B8.5 yet...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-2009-2...%257Ciid%253A2



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[A4x]

Are these headlights plastic or glass?

I'm hesitant to wet sand as well, but after reading online this can help to remove the rock chips. Then if you cover with Lamin-x it should help to protect from UV light and yellowing, right?

The Sylvania headlight restoration kit comes with a finishing compound that is a UV protectant.

[Roadtrippn]

Here's a link for lenses - pre-facelift only though - haven't came across a set for the B8.5 yet...

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Audi-A4-2009-2...%257Ciid%253A2



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?

Yup i have those new lens coveres ordered via ebay. He took my offer for -10$ from the list price. Damn you guys are bad for my wallet cause my I'm thinking I'lll protect them with lamin x. And yup they're plastic. The fog lights are glass, and mine are all fogged up. Anyway to restore those?

[richardm0025]

Find someone selling cheap halogen headlights and swap lenses.


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[A4x]

How hard is the lens swap? It involves baking and cracking open the glue? Then re-gluing?

Might be worth it to try a polish first. Then if they mess up or yellow after a year, replace with those lenses above.

Either way once you get a cleaned up lense, I'll be sure to cover it with Lamin-x immediately.

[Roadtrippn]

How hard is the lens swap? It involves baking and cracking open the glue? Then re-gluing?

Might be worth it to try a polish first. Then if they mess up or yellow after a year, replace with those lenses above.

Either way once you get a cleaned up lense, I'll be sure to cover it with Lamin-x immediately.

I've never tried the oven way, a heat gun works pretty well. They're like 15$ on amazon prime. Lots of DIYs on here.

[A4x]

I've never tried the oven way, a heat gun works pretty well. They're like 15$ on amazon prime. Lots of DIYs on here.

Yea I just read a few DIYS and this does not look fun at all. They say the oven will damage other parts of the headlight, so yes a heat gun is way better. But still doesn't look fun and you risk damaging them.

I'don't prefer to just go with the polishing method. If it messes up, or yellows, then I suppose I'll buy a heat gun and replace the lens.

Anyone have experience with the wet sanding/polishing? There are a lot of DAYS for various other models. It looks like a good solution as long as you protect from UV rays after (re: Lamin-x)

[kwstantinosk89]

Here are some lences for the b8.5 that i can save some money and buy them, but who has the balls to change them?!?! when the headlights are $1000 and you risk to damage them

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[Zach L]

?

Yup i have those new lens coveres ordered via ebay. He took my offer for -10$ from the list price. Damn you guys are bad for my wallet cause my I'm thinking I'lll protect them with lamin x. And yup they're plastic. The fog lights are glass, and mine are all fogged up. Anyway to restore those?

I just ordered a set yesterday morning, and they accepted my -$20 offer. Thanks for posting last week about them taking your offer. I had tried -$40 several months ago and they denied it, so I think -$20 is getting near the max. I'd suggest someone else to try a -$30 offer.

I also ordered some Xpel protective film to protect against sand pitting and add an extra layer of UV protection. Planning to swap in ZKW-R clear projector lenses, Osram CBI bulbs, and possibly modify the protector's cutoff shield as well.

I usually do the oven method then also use a $10 Harbor Freight heat gun for difficult areas. Works great.

[kwstantinosk89]

For b8.5 here

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[Roadtrippn]

I just ordered a set yesterday morning, and they accepted my -$20 offer. Thanks for posting last week about them taking your offer. I had tried -$40 several months ago and they denied it, so I think -$20 is getting near the max. I'd suggest someone else to try a -$30 offer.

I also ordered some Xpel protective film to protect against sand pitting and add an extra layer of UV protection. Planning to swap in ZKW-R clear projector lenses, Osram CBI bulbs, and possibly modify the protector's cutoff shield as well.

I usually do the oven method then also use a $10 Harbor Freight heat gun for difficult areas. Works great.

No problem. Wow -$20, shoot i overpaid! Wow that'll look awesome. I'm planing to remove the vinyl on my headlight corners while I'm in there. its bubbling badly and ill just paint them. I'm dreading the job it's a pain in the butt.

[CONative]

@Lambda13 maybe can chime in on lens removal - I think he's done this a dozen times or so now and bakes the housing versus using a heat gun.

I'll put in for -$30 and let you guys know if the seller accepts or not.


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[CONative]

And he accepted. -$30 is the new best offer.


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[Project Quattro]

?

The fog lights are glass, and mine are all fogged up. Anyway to restore those?

B8 fog lights do that cloudy thing, I don't know why. Pull them out, remove the bulb, and wrap a paper towel around the eraser end of the pencil. If you stick that into the fog light you can wipe off the cloudy grime and they'll be good as new. While they're apart you can wrap them with clear vinyl as a protectant or yellow to look cool.

@Lambda13 maybe can chime in on lens removal - I think he's done this a dozen times or so now and bakes the housing versus using a heat gun.

Have seen, can confirm. I witnessed him open and perfectly reseal 3 separate sets of headlights in one afternoon last fall.



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[mecg]

I'll be sanding my lenses this coming week. Starting out with 1500, then 3000, then 5000 grit, followed by compound then polish, then a UV protection layer. Should look awesome.

[ducati]

I agree when you start to wet sand the UV coating on the oem lens it will start to go a bit yellow after a year.

[Liquid Smoke]

if you sand them you also have to clearcoat them again, they turn yellow if you don't.

new headlights - put some xpel/laminx or good quality (3m, etc) clear vinyl on them, and change every 2 years or so.
old headlights - get them sanded and polished, then apply new clearcoat over them, let that new clear fully cure for a month or two and then you can do the above on those to keep them fresh.

[Zach L]

I'll be sanding my lenses this coming week. Starting out with 1500, then 3000, then 5000 grit, followed by compound then polish, then a UV protection layer. Should look awesome.

...for six months. Then plan to do it again. New lenses will last 4+ years easy. Refinishing just isn't worth the time it takes, and that's not even counting the money you'll spend on materials. It's a temporary fix that needs attention every year or more often.

[Liquid Smoke]

well it will last long term if you get it painted with actual clear at a paint shop, not just the off the counter clear or the one in the headlight kits. for those not comfortable with opening up and swapping lenses, you can get them properly restored by a paint shop. probably for less than the cost of new lenses, not even counting the effort to open and reseal them, and if not done properly you risk not sealing properly and open yourself up to condenstation and more headache.

[Roadtrippn]

When I open mine up in a few weeks to swap the lenses, I'm going to remove the crapppy black vinyl I have on my corners and paint them. Any suggestions on what paint to use?

[Zach L]

well it will last long term if you get it painted with actual clear at a paint shop

At that point you've spent more than you would on new lenses... for a end result that will come close but never be as perfect. Plus you've got the cost of the sand paper, polishes, compounds, applicator pads, and time equals money too. Replacing lenses is super easy, even for headlights that use permaseal epoxy. Our B8 lights don't use permaseal so they're even easier. Plus I'm opening up my lights to throw in clear glass ZKW-R projector lenses, so it's absolutely zero extra work and zero extra time. The end result will be superior to e-codes.

[Zach L]

When I open mine up in a few weeks to swap the lenses, I'm going to remove the crapppy black vinyl I have on my corners and paint them. Any suggestions on what paint to use?

I'd use a high temp flat or satin black. The satin may match the black plastic inside the headlight that's visible.

[A4x]

I'll be sanding my lenses this coming week. Starting out with 1500, then 3000, then 5000 grit, followed by compound then polish, then a UV protection layer. Should look awesome.

I'm debating doing this as well. Please follow up with your before and after results!

I agree when you start to wet sand the UV coating on the oem lens it will start to go a bit yellow after a year.

if you sand them you also have to clearcoat them again, they turn yellow if you don't.

new headlights - put some xpel/laminx or good quality (3m, etc) clear vinyl on them, and change every 2 years or so.
old headlights - get them sanded and polished, then apply new clearcoat over them, let that new clear fully cure for a month or two and then you can do the above on those to keep them fresh.

Wouldn't wet sanding and finishing with a UV protectant, plus a film like Lamin-x, be enough to keep the yellowing away for a few years?

[mecg]

I already have all of the materials I quoted, plus the DA polisher needed to make quick work of it. Shouldn't be more than 15 or 20 minutes per lens, start to finish. I'll let you know how they turn out.

[Roadtrippn]

I'd use a high temp flat or satin black. The satin may match the black plastic inside the headlight that's visible.

Alright I finally got my headlight plastic after waiting over a month. About to tackle the job. Any specific brand of paint? And where can I pick it up?