1999 A6 headlamps/ lens cover fading

[ksareen]

Hi,

My 1999 year A6's body work is in near immaculate condition, thanks to the low mileage over the years.

The only thing that bothers me is that the headlamps look a bit faded or mild dirty yellowish when looked and compared to other cars from a little distance..

Is this due to car being parked too much in the sun?

Is there any remedy like chemical cleaners etc or can I buy the front clear plastic seperately and replace?

Thanks for your replies in advance..

[A62.5TDIV6]

Hi,

I've got the same problem on my '98 A6. The lenses are yellowish, and also I think they are dirty inside too (they got realy wet inside during last winters snow. Dry now but filthy inside).

I've posted about this before but got no answers. I'm beginning to think that I'll have to get now headlamps, or take the the HID route. Lets face it, the headlamps on these are rubbish, even with upgraded Xenon bulbs etc.

I'll be following your this with great interest (sorry, not trying to hijack your thread).

All the best,

Will.

[Pete@ECSTuning]

We have headlight restore kits. They work wonders and are quite cheap:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-C5_A6-...aign=postreply

[JimC64]

Hey guys, the kit on offer is probably a really good buy. See below a video link showing the method of correction that you may find helpful

headlight-restoration-videos

Cheers
Jim

[ksareen]

Hi Will

My lens don't seem dirty or any water marks from inside (they have always been dry from inside).

Are Xenon different from HID? I think I've HID lamps on my A6 but the light is not white like new cars with modern HID lights.

I think mine only needs a clean from outside as shown in these videos.. I agree about the quality of these lens on the A6, they look pathetic when they age.

If I buy this kit, can I use my corded drill to do the job?

Also, have you heard of:
http://www.crystalheadlight.com

They claim sanding only lasts 2 weeks (is this true?) and we should the chemical based cleaning instead that lasts for 6 months, has anyone tried these as well?

Cheers..

[Pete@ECSTuning]

Hi Will

My lens don't seem dirty or any water marks from inside (they have always been dry from inside).

Are Xenon different from HID? I think I've HID lamps on my A6 but the light is not white like new cars with modern HID lights.

I think mine only needs a clean from outside as shown in these videos.. I agree about the quality of these lens on the A6, they look pathetic when they age.

If I buy this kit, can I use my corded drill to do the job?

Also, have you heard of:
http://www.crystalheadlight.com

They claim sanding only lasts 2 weeks (is this true?) and we should the chemical based cleaning instead that lasts for 6 months, has anyone tried these as well?

Cheers..

Yes you can use your corded drill.

As for your second question, the kit about isn't just sanding. The kit is a staged sanding/buffing kit that buffs your headlight just like you would buff a car, but with special compounds designed for the plastic on a headlight.

[ksareen]

It is also mentioned that sanding takes off the manufacturer's UV coating and is therefore not advised, as the yellowness will come back.

Some1 advised using nail polish remover and demonstrated on an escort which had glass headlamps.
Can we use nail varnish on plastic lens headlamps?? Is it abrasive?

[Pete@ECSTuning]

It is also mentioned that sanding takes off the manufacturer's UV coating and is therefore not advised, as the yellowness will come back.

Some1 advised using nail polish remover and demonstrated on an escort which had glass headlamps.
Can we use nail varnish on plastic lens headlamps?? Is it abrasive?

As I've always understood it, the UV protection is on the inside of the lens because non-UV filtered bulbs would otherwise quickly turn headlight lenses yellow with out it. (As a side bar note, they make bulbs with UV filters these days anyhow).

As for the nail polish bit, the difference here is glass/plastic. I had an old car with glass lamps and never polished them because glass lamps are a 1 piece unit, so I just bought another headlight and the problem was solved.

I also had a older Dodge Neon with plastic lenses and used the product posted above. 1 yr later they were still clear. I don't have the car anymore but if for <20 bucks I could have clear headlights for a year it was worth it!

[Shroud]

I have the Wolfgang plastik lens cleaner kit which does work on both faded and aged headlight lens as well as plastic rear windows in soft tops, etc

http://www.autogeek.net/plastik-lens-cleaning.html

This is a US site, but you can buy it in the UK. I paid about £35 for the kit.

It does work, and is a simple 2 stage process.

Whilst the lens post cleaning are not the same as that of a new car, the cloudyness is much reduced and more crystal like. I sppose if you are prepared to work at it you would get a better result.

Just be careful to tape off any bodywork, as the products used would probably scratch your paintwork.

[Shaka1976]

I've used something simpler for my 99 A6 with plastic lenses.......caravan window restorer. It's basically an abrasive paste which you work back a forth to remove the scratches/yellowing, it improved the light from my headlights 10 fold. My tube was given to me but I've been told you can buy it in most caravan shops for a few quid. It was also recommended to me to polish the lenses afterwards with car polish/wax to get maximum shine.