Golf v Replacement headlights

[harlie]

Hi. I have to replace the headlights in the golf V. Both lights have crazed (lens covered in micro cracks to the point where the lens looks opaque) and driver’s side has started to leak. We have found a photo of the car from 14 months ago and the lights still looked new then.

The Car is a 2005 Comfortline and has spent the last 2 weeks at the dealer (touchy subject). When I asked them about the lights, the response was that it was common and caused by sun – the car was parked at work in the sun for about 4 years, and I’ve spotted a blue one with the same problem in the city lately. Pity the VW brochure doesn’t mention a life span of 6 years if actually used outside… Now we have undercover parking at work, (and already spent a fortune on the bloody car) it is time to do something about it.

The genuine lights are made by Hella, so my first thought was to get a pair of Hella from UK.

So to my Q – has anyone tried any of the aftermarket headlights available?

[jamie88]

i have the same problem, one is nice and shiny from a minor prang/ insurance claim. the other is scratched and dull. i have found gti halogens on ebay for 180+ 60 shipping. very good price and they look much better than the stockers. food for thought. i think the halo/ r8/ebay ones look like sh!!t

[benough]

Hey Harlie.

DON'T touch aftermarket headlamps. They are awful. As Lowtdi said OEM stuff can be found fairly cheap.

First port of call though should be calling a detailer to hold his polisher down on the headlamps for a few minutes. This is what my wife's Astra looked like, before and after.

[triode12]

You don't have to go to the extent of replacing your headlights - the originals can be repaired very easily yourself.
Just get a bottle of PlastX ($29 from AutoBarn) or a similar plastic polish to remove the micro-scratches.

PlastX Headlamp Restore - YouTube

Mothers Polish - PowerBall 4Lights Headlight Restoration Kit TV Commercial - YouTube

Re: Restore Foggy Cloudy Headlights - YouTube

To fix the leak, remove the affected headlight fitting and seal the leak with a hot glue gun or silicone.

[harlie]

thanks guys - I'll have a go...

[adamk]

i had a 20 yr old mx-5 and the tail lights looked like new, there is a great product called plexus which does a great job its available from boat shops and is also used on plane windscreens there are also a number of great plastic polishes or a dvd cleaner also works but i've only ever used that on friends cars.

[triode12]

i had a 20 yr old mx-5 and the tail lights looked like new, there is a great product called plexus which does a great job its available from boat shops and is also used on plane windscreens there are also a number of great plastic polishes or a dvd cleaner also works but i've only ever used that on friends cars.

Plexus is also available from auto stores like Auto Barn, Auto One, Repco, etc.

[harlie]

PlastX has worked a treat, thanks guys, might buy a flash tune with the coin saved on this...

Just a note for anyone thinking of doing it, you NEED a buffer, I tried it by hand and it was hopeless. even after the first 2 goes with the buffer it still wasn't really making much difference on the worse areas. I ended up using 1200 sand paper over the entire light and then it took about 30mins of buffing, cleaning, buffing, cleaning ect ect - improving on every go. end result is very good.

Now for the leak. Anyone give me some pointers on how to remove driver side light? I have found two mounts (one on top outer end, one behind bottom inner corner) but I can't see a third, asuming there is only 3

[harlie]

scrap that - bumper off, light repaired (i hope) bumper back on, all done.

[maca]

scrap that - bumper off, light repaired (i hope) bumper back on, all done.

I was going to offer you a hand, I've done it three times now!