[bfc_xxx]

Can anyone tell me how this happened?
Do I need to replace the front lights?

[AlanHo]

Are they just surface scratches or do some look like cracks right through the plastic?

At first glance it looks as though you have driven at some speed through a shower of grit either being spread or thrown up from the road by other vehicles.

If just shallow scratches, you may be able to reduce them by liberal polishing with brasso or a fine paint cutting compound.

[Shambles]

Looks to me, judging by the perfect cross-scoring, that the car's been taken through a harsh automatic carwasher.

Can't remember which country you're in (Greece is it?) but see if you can get hold of some "displex", which I use on mobile phone screens.

[eye30]

Is the other side and rear the same?

Faulty plastic.

How old is the car?

Back to dealer for their opinion.

[bfc_xxx]

Are they just surface scratches or do some look like cracks right through the plastic?

At first glance it looks as though you have driven at some speed through a shower of grit either being spread or thrown up from the road by other vehicles.

If just shallow scratches, you may be able to reduce them by liberal polishing with brasso or a fine paint cutting compound.

They seem like surface scratches.

Looks to me, judging by the perfect cross-scoring, that the car's been taken through a harsh automatic carwasher.

Can't remember which country you're in (Greece is it?) but see if you can get hold of some "displex", which I use on mobile phone screens.

Yes I am in Greece!!
I have never used automatic carwasher.

Is the other side and rear the same?

Faulty plastic.

How old is the car?

Back to dealer for their opinion.

Yes both front sides have the same problem.
Rear lights are like brand new.
4 year old but the the problem started on 3rd year.
Dealer said faulty plastic but now I am out of warranty and new ones worth 240€ each.

[eye30]

As you reported prior to expiry and dealer indicated fault then surely they should honour replacement.

[Phil №❶]

Is this something recent, or have they deteriorated slowly

[bfc_xxx]

As you reported prior to expiry and dealer indicated fault then surely they should honour replacement.

I reported it after warranty expired.

Is this something recent, or have they deteriorated slowly

This is not recent. I think I noticed it a year ago but this happened quιte fast and then stopped getting worse.

[TheReaper]

wow!!

[AlanHo]

wow!!

I have doubts that it is faulty plastic that has deteriorated - otherwise it would result in cracking and not just be surface scratches. It looks as though something abrasive has been rubber across the surface.

Shambles suggested a car wash - but the random nature and directions of the scratches could easily be done by a manual clean where someone has cleaned the car with a sponge or rag that has been dropped on the ground. Have you ever had the car cleaned by others.

I have watched the guys in a local supermarket car park clean cars while you are shopping. I have seen enough to never let them within a million miles of my car.

[Asterix]

I think the auto accessory shops have some plastic scratch remover, but I I would just try an use the polish used for cars with a tired paint.

I use normal polish for the windows in my caravan when they get scratched too much. They're also plastic and the wash brush leaves fine scratches every time I wash it. 

[Surferdude]

Try "Silvo"
I used to use it on perspex. Worked a charm.

[rustynutz]

I know this bloke is spruiking his own product but it's still probably worth a read... 

THE TRUTH ABOUT HEADLIGHT CLEANERS | eBay

[Dazzler]

That is terrible!    If the lights are that scratched I'm surprised the paint near them isn't scratched as well. 

[Keith]

My first thought was a hose of some description.
Maybe a jet wash hose or hosepipe? I know how those wet hoses can collect muddy grit and then get dragged over and across the plastics.
Air hose during tyre inflation?
Turning into a tight driveway lined by tough bushes with thorns ?
Doesn't look like materials or we'd have seen loads of examples by now.

[Dazzler]

Some nice lateral thinking Keith. 

[bfc_xxx]

I will try to remove the scratches in some days.

[Shambles]

QUIXX Headlight Headlamp Cleaning Restoration Plastic Polish Restorer Kit | eBay

[Alan82ni]

Hi there,

Have you tried anything yet? If so did it work? The stuff in the link posted by rustynuts is a liquid PVC cleaner which can be bought at most building suppliers. Have seen it work on scum build up brilliantly. Hope you get it sorted.

[bfc_xxx]

Hi there,

Have you tried anything yet? If so did it work? The stuff in the link posted by rustynuts is a liquid PVC cleaner which can be bought at most building suppliers. Have seen it work on scum build up brilliantly. Hope you get it sorted.

Not yet. I was quite busy these days. I've read a lot in various forums. I am thinking to use some water sanding paper or whatever they called and some polisher.

[Phil №❶]

Don't use sanding paper unless you want to ruin the, lights for good and achieve a matt finish.

Sand paper scratches the plastic which is the opposite of what you're trying to achieve.

You would be best to use a plastic polish combined with an electric buffing wheel. Not sure where you buy one, but they are a drill attachment and are comprised of about 100 circular cloth disks, all sandwiched together tight enough to make a soft flexible buff. Do not buy a solid buffing wheel as the friction generated will possibly heat & distort the plastic.

With the soft buffer apply the polish to the headlamp in small areas and use high speed on the drill BUT LIGHT PRESSURE on the lamp to minimize friction. If the lamp start to get warm, move to a different area, then return when cooled.

[Dazzler]

  X 2

[Surferdude]

Yep. Absolutely do not use wet and dry sandpaper.

[Alasama]

Seems to me that's the sign of head lamp aging. Proper polishing can remove the aging layer and let the lamp look like new. Applying an extra special transparent coating will be ideal to protect the surface. Auto accessory shops provide this service.

ref. link
http://bm6adl.pixnet.net/blog/post/7511683-%E5%8F%B0%E5%8D%97%E7%AB%8B%E5%8F%AF%E7%99%BDcrv%E5%A4%A7%E7%87%88%E9%9C%A7%E5%8C%96.%E6%B3%9B%E9%BB%83.%E5%88%AE%E7%97%95.%E5%9D%91%E6%B4%9E.%E9%AB%AE%E8%A3%82

[Shambles]

Seems to me that's the sign of head lamp aging.

Seriously?

Of all the possible causes, that'd be the last one I'd offer up.

Mine are 6 years+2 months and are crystal clear.

[Alasama]

In addition to time factor, environment condition is also an important factor to aging. Mine is 4 years old and I park it in garage at home. I did not do night-driving (that means head lamps on and getting hot) for a long time often. They are crystal clear, too. 

[bfc_xxx]

Seems to me that's the sign of head lamp aging.

Seriously?

Of all the possible causes, that'd be the last one I'd offer up.

Mine are 6 years+2 months and are crystal clear.

I do not think so it's aging signs. There are i30s in my place with double years and triple kms which have headlights that look like new.

[Shambles]

Was in my local motor factors earlier, and saw this little kit:



Info: Buy Meguiar's Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Kit from Meguiar's UK

How to Restore Neglected, Oxidized Headlights - YouTube


It was £21.99 in Halfords but is cheaper on the tat bazaars

[bfc_xxx]

I haven't fixed it yet. I don't have the time or patience to do myself.
Now I am considering option.

1. Find a professional do it for me.

2. Buy second hand in good condition front lights.

3. Buy new ones @ 480€ whole set.

[cruiserfied]

I know you don't want to do it yourself but I've seen toothpaste and some elbow grease produce some pretty good results but it depends on how deep the scratches are.
As for your choices if your happy to spend the money get some new ones or good condition used ones. Will lift the appearance of the vehicle and won't risk the issue re-occurring if it was in fact a fault with the plastic. Otherwise it probably wouldnt cost too much to get a detailing mob or panel shop to do a "restore" on the lights.