Mk5 headlight lens discolouring

[neil]

Have noticed the last few weeks a number of what I presume would be mk5 Golf's running around Sydney
with the front headlight lens starting to discolour, one being very badly effected , may look similar to the
Merc E class in future you seem to see with the lens now looking like it has been frosted over.

Not sure if there is any preventative treatment other than to park out of the light.
Have not noticed any Jetta's or Passat at this stage so maybe only a problem were the
lights were manufactured if in deed they sourced them from different manufacturers.

[BossXR]

A good wax 4 times a year with the rest of the car does the trick to prevent the problem.

[jets]

A good wax 4 times a year with the rest of the car does the trick to prevent the problem.

Not sure if wax will help at all. I spoke to a Hella rep. at a field day many years ago about this problem on Korean cars. He told me that a special coating is part of the manufacturing process to prevent the effects of strong UV rays causing it to go cloudy. I am surprised to hear it is affecting the VW although I did see one on a Polo when we were looking for one for my wife. I have noticed in the past that the tail lights on the mk1 Golf [if they are genuine] don't go off even after 30 or more years unlike the ones on Toyota corollas.
My daughter had at one time a Ford Laser that she had an accident in. I replaced the side lights at the front with aftermarket ones & they lasted around 12 months before going off.
I believe there is a product that is used to polish of the cloudiness & restore the shine.

[Wolfgang]

Prolonged UV eposure will break down the plastic lens causing it to go cloudy, very much like sunburn.

If the oxidisation is not too deep it can be polished back to new.

An application of a coating like Cqaurtz or Opticoat will provide UV protection to help prevent it re-occuring.

[bazzle]

There are kits available from Auto shops to clean the lens up.

https://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&tbo=d&site=&source=hp&q=headlight+cleaner+kit&oq=headlight+cleaner&gs_l=hp.1.1.0l10.1591.5808.0.8735.17.14.0.3.3.1.221.2454.3j5j6.14.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.EB6HC2Dklac

You can then or before put 3M clear film etc on the lens to stop UV damage.

https://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&tbo=d&q=headlight+clear+film&oq=headlight+clear+fil&gs_l=serp.1.0.0j0i30j0i8i30l3.43799.49317.0.53666.16.14.2.0.0.0.247.1822.6j5j3.14.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.p_ZkpzN2oK4

Bazzle

[BossXR]

It's all about UV protection, much like paintwork. You'll see the problem on all makes of cars - EF falcon's, Honda Preludes, Early 2000 Mercedes. It's not limited to Korean, Japanese, US, British or European makes - they're all affected. A good wax 4 times a year will just about prevent it as it is sacrificed as the UV breaks it down as it does with all polymers.

[maca]

This is a major problem on the Mk4's (mine included) and there's an incredibly easy way to fix this issue, it'll cost you about $5 in total and it's called Toothpaste!

I bought an old Ford Contour with severely clouded headlights (they almost looked sandblasted) and I attacked it with toothpaste. This is the result:

Before:


After:


Too bad my elbow grease was short lived as the car died about 18 hours after those photos were taken.

[tooarbie]

This is a major problem on the Mk4's (mine included) and there's an incredibly easy way to fix this issue, it'll cost you about $5 in total and it's called Toothpaste!

I bought an old Ford Contour with severely clouded headlights (they almost looked sandblasted) and I attacked it with toothpaste. This is the result:

Before:


After:


Too bad my elbow grease was short lived as the car died about 18 hours after those photos were taken.

Cause and effect?? I might stop brushing my teeth on the strength of your unfortunate experience!!

(Thanks for a great tip! I have four foggy lenses - two on a Golf - two on a Daewoo Kalos. Recall my brother taking the scratches out of people's plexi watch lenses thirty years ago with the same minty prescription!!)

[cktsi]

It's like reading about cataracts on cars and then learning the dentist can remove it!

[mk5_tdi]

glassylite headlight restoration kit

have to sand down the headlight but you end up re-doing the UV coating application and they will last for years to come
Did it on my old evo and was awesome. Usually once it occurs once it'll keep happening, so fix it properly once

[The One]

Never had a problem on my Nissan, over 14 years old with the original headlights fitted with no protective covers and still look like new.

[Tom87]

acid solutions as used by many "car detailers" and "hand wash cafes" destroy plastic headlights too. I'd suggest people who care about their vehicles be very cautious using these places as they are often staffed by unskilled workers who do not actually care about the end result.

[The One]

acid solutions as used by many "car detailers" and "hand wash cafes" destroy plastic headlights too. I'd suggest people who care about their vehicles be very cautious using these places as they are often staffed by unskilled workers who do not actually care about the end result.

Just care about taking the coins you leave in your car.

Those headlight restoration kits from Bursons tend to do the trick quite well too and are quite moderately priced..

Those headlight r

[pat_ballam08]

glassylite headlight restoration kit

have to sand down the headlight but you end up re-doing the UV coating application and they will last for years to come
Did it on my old evo and was awesome. Usually once it occurs once it'll keep happening, so fix it properly once

I used this stuff on my MKV. It worked for around 6 months but has now started to reoccur. I think I might end up buying new headlights, but that could just be my one off experience, my lights were pretty far gone when I bought the car.

[jessv3]

Re: Mk5 headlight lens discolouring

I used this stuff on my MKV. It worked for around 6 months but has now started to reoccur. I think I might end up buying new headlights, but that could just be my one off experience, my lights were pretty far gone when I bought the car.

I've been through this. Tried the kits, they worked for 3 months then the lights returned to yellow, I ended up buying a second hand pair of oem gti lights from the forum for a good price.

Changing them was a big PITA, so I suggest buying perfect yellow free ones as one of my new headlights is slightly yellow, but a huge improvement over the old...

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