[spin]

Hi
This is probably the wrong part of the message board to post this but I am not allowed to post in the right section.
My passenger headlight glass has a tiny hole in it but humidity built up in there and it looks fogged up.
I read somewhere that this will get to the point that it will ruin the headlight. I think it started getting fogged up about 2 months ago.
How long do you think the headlight will last like this and what should I do about it? I looked for another one on Ebay with no luck.
Any help would be appreciated.
thanks

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[ds968]

This maybe an odd idea, but windshield repair shops ( I believe Safeco Auto glass is nationwide ? ) could inject the same a resin they use to fix relatively small chips and cracks in the windshield to seal and prevent the cracks from from expanding. They could also have a way of defogging
the light assembly before they do repair.. Might be a solution, and I think some will even do this at no cost, or just charge a very small fee ( $ 25 ? ).

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[Chris Vais]

I would attempt to fix the pinhole with the windshield repair material that DS968 described or even a small drop of gap filling super glue might work. Gap filling super glue is a very thick super glue used by model builders to fill joint seams on models. You should be able to find it in any full service hobby shop, if not you local hardware store. If you tip the headlight assembly into the service position you can remove the bulb and that I imagine would equalize the humidity.

It is worth repairing as the lens and the bucket assembly are all one piece and must be replaced as a complete unit. Very expensive if you buy new parts and used ones are hard to come buy. The same is true of the foglight/driving lights.

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[flash]

what to do about it - replace it with a new one

as for not being able to post in the right area, the thread has now been moved to the right area, but there are no restrictions on you being able to start a thread there, or most anywhere - in fact, there are only about 4 areas that you would not be able to post a thread, and that is because most of those are closed

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[xrad]

about 300$ from dealer for new one...

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[Chris Vais]

Look for one from a dismantler if you can. I just paid $175 for a complete headlight bucket and driving/fog bucket with decent lenses. The stock ones are $300 as XRAD said and the Fog/Driving unit $407.

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[flash]

the last one i bought was new from parts heaven - it was a bit over $200

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[caffine]

<!--quoteo(post=73441:date=Jun 7 2009, 12:07 PM:name=flash)-->QUOTE (flash @ Jun 7 2009, 12:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->the last one i bought was new from parts heaven - it was a bit over $200<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

OMG - is there something to help prevent this kinda thing from happening?

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[flash]

there used to be - stone guard used to make some nice thick self adhesive covers that did a pretty good job (didn't stop a 4x4 but stopped rocks and stuff) - they stopped making them a while ago and i don't know if they started again

paragon used to carry them

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[Darryl]

I filled a small round hole in one of my headlights with some two part epoxy...worked fantastic, BUT keep in mind that in most states, it is illegal to have any defects in your lights. Luckily, I have an inspection guy who knows me and my cars!!

Best bet is to replace with new/used and yes, they are expensive. I lucked out a while back and got two brand new in the box headlamps from a guy for $250.00. He used to work at Porsche and was cleaning out his garage. I figured I'd replace both at the same time for a clean look.

- Darryl

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[ds968]

<!--quoteo(post=73442:date=Jun 7 2009, 10:12 AM:name=caffine)-->QUOTE (caffine @ Jun 7 2009, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->OMG - is there something to help prevent this kinda thing from happening?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


you can still find the stone guard film set I think it's made by 3M - I got them at autoanything.com , and Trevor just got a set recently from there as well, so they must be in stock custom cut for the 968, kit includes the protection for both the headlights and the fog lights.
five years later mine are as clear as the day they arrived - you can't tell there is anything on the lens .

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[caffine]

<!--quoteo(post=73452:date=Jun 7 2009, 08:50 PM:name=ds968)-->QUOTE (ds968 @ Jun 7 2009, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->you can still find the stone guard film set I think it's made by 3M - I got them at autoanything.com , and Trevor just got a set recently from there as well, so they must be in stock custom cut for the 968, kit includes the protection for both the headlights and the fog lights.
five years later mine are as clear as the day they arrived - you can't tell there is anything on the lens .<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Great, thanks looking into that now.

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[968Z]

The ones Flash is speaking about were like 5-6mm thick "exact fit" polyurethane self-adhering pieces. There was a guy 2-3 years ago selling them on E-Bay for $5.00 a set (headlight and fog). He must have bought them in bulk as a closeout. If I had better insight, I would have bought more than just one set. They work great.

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[caffine]

autoanything is currently selling the XPEL Headlight Protection which is custom fit.
Description from XPELs website: http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight.asp
and autoanything site link is: http://www.autoanything.com/lights/60A12...98334.aspx

- of course with any product purchase - 'buyer beware".

Sounded ok to me - went with it.

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[Carl968]

Griot's garage used to carry the film to go over the lens also.

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[spin]

thanks for all your responses. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[rxter]

I picked up a set as well. My experience with stone chips is that these films pay for themselves, period. Thanks for sourcing this ds.

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[ds968]

well I wasn't sure about the 3M , looks as if they are XPEL so that's also what I probably have on.
good stuff either way .

for the 968 the install is failry easy, just need to be very careful and meticulous when applying the film - follow instructions to the letter.

however i also bought a set for my MBZ ( customized cut as well ) but that was a nightmare because of the convoluted headlight design on those cars - convex in some places, concave in others, way to many curves.. friggin' going crazy trying to apply that thing on it..I ended up ruining the film before I could even get half of it on

so if you buy a set for anything other than a 968 take a look at the surface of your headlights.. a little curvature is ok, anything more complicated and...don't say I haven't cautioned .. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif[/img]

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[caffine]

ds968 - thanks for the great call.

spin - sorry for hijacking your thread - but I think you've just saved me from going through that. Good luck spin.

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[DaveN]

Quick note - I put on the XPEL product this winter after a crack in my fog lamp. TIP - I found the distributor for XPEL in Canada so I could avoid the USD exchange. Turns out they charged me the same price as the US (20% savings at the time) and shipped it regular mail for next to nothing.

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