Purchased an '02 911 CAB about 18 months and doubled the investment with late model seats, repainting hood and bumpers, headers, double DIN radio, etc. The car is just about great except that the headlights have yellowed. They are not fogged but the polycarbonate has a definite yellow tint. There are a million kits availabel for fogging but I cannot find anything in Google where somebody has written a suggestion for the yellowing. I believe changing to LEDs, which operate cooler will stop it from happening but what can be done now?

 

Sounds like UV damage, post a pic so I can confirm. If UV damage then take it to a skilled detailer who can restore then with the proper multi-stage sanding, compound, polish, etc. Also, make sure they apply a high quality UV sealant like Optilens and ideally finish with a clear bra to protect from future. If done properly the lenses should look brand new and stay looking that way for at least a decade, most qualified shops will offer a warranty for that period as well.

Another option after the lenses have been corrected and polished is finishing with one of the new ceramic coats, not real familiar with them but hear good things.

If hazing continues after reconditioning then it might be on the inside, this happens sometimes and can usually be fixed by using methanol to wash the inside of the lens, kind of awkward to do and there are some risks involved but if the internal hazing is from gases and nothing permanent the meth will clean it right up.

ANOTHER alternative is to just source a set of new oem lenses and have them swapped, if you can find a good deal on them this would be a guaranteed way to make the headlights look new. Contact me if you need help installing them on the headlights.

Evan

 

I thank you but they are not at all fogged. Just yellowed. I don't know if it a surface thing like you imply or through and through. Nothing to see in a picture (too much variation in light for either my Nikon or phone to show). New ones are more than $1,000 each and the car although basically fixed up to near new, doesn't have enough worth to justify spending more than $2,000 on replacment headlights. Any other thoughts?

 

The yellowing is usually linked to UV damage. I would recommend finding a skilled detailer or someone with experience reconditioning headlights and have them do a full restoration. My guess is that would resolve your issue. Proper headlight restorations run $150-$300 from my experiences.

Evan

 

Do you have HIDs or Halogen? If Halogen, is the yellowing on the interior lens?