Cleaned headlights by removing lens, it could be done with lots of patience
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Cleaned headlights by removing lens, it could be done with lots of patience
I got fed up with the dirt inside my headlights (997.2) . Used methanol, sticks with cotton etc etc to clean but never really got it right. So I said wtf if I destroy then it's time to buy...
the lens is glued with an adhesive that looks like butyl rubber but I tried the hot gun and it did not melt. Adhesive looked more like rubber than silicone.
procedure:
1. Remove.the rubber gasket.around.the headlights it's glued and you simply pull slowly.
2. Get a small cutter to cut around the edges where the cutter can reach. This can be done from the bottom.to the sides. The top cannot be accessed.
3. Though the heat gun does not melt the adhesive, it affect the bond. I slowly heat up the sides where I cut the adhesive and pried the lens. You will deform the housing, don't worry. You can use the heat gun to return to shape...
4. Slowly work around where you were able to.cut the adhesive. Slowly the lens will move and once you get a screwdriver or prying tool underneath the lens it will be easier to work around.
5. What I notice was the bond on the top portion was so.easy to break... I think this is a where the defect of the Porsche headlight fogging is... The seal is incomplete on the top portion. I concluded this because it was the same for both headlights!
6. After.breaking the bond clean up the edges of the headlight housing. Remove the old adhesive from both lens and housing.
7. Use heat gun to remold the channel that was deformed while prying out the lens.
You can now.clean the lens from the inside.
I used rtv silicone reseal the lights. Give 3 days to fully cure and you got yourself a new set of.light!!! Some say you should not use silicone to reseal the lights because you won't be able to reopen. For the 997 the bond between the lens and headlight housing is what keeps the light fixed. This bond is constantly under tension and if it fails lens will fall off. There are no clips or screws holding the lens and housing together.
Don't have a lot of pics but whole process can be done in a couple.of hours..
the lens is glued with an adhesive that looks like butyl rubber but I tried the hot gun and it did not melt. Adhesive looked more like rubber than silicone.
procedure:
1. Remove.the rubber gasket.around.the headlights it's glued and you simply pull slowly.
2. Get a small cutter to cut around the edges where the cutter can reach. This can be done from the bottom.to the sides. The top cannot be accessed.
3. Though the heat gun does not melt the adhesive, it affect the bond. I slowly heat up the sides where I cut the adhesive and pried the lens. You will deform the housing, don't worry. You can use the heat gun to return to shape...
4. Slowly work around where you were able to.cut the adhesive. Slowly the lens will move and once you get a screwdriver or prying tool underneath the lens it will be easier to work around.
5. What I notice was the bond on the top portion was so.easy to break... I think this is a where the defect of the Porsche headlight fogging is... The seal is incomplete on the top portion. I concluded this because it was the same for both headlights!
6. After.breaking the bond clean up the edges of the headlight housing. Remove the old adhesive from both lens and housing.
7. Use heat gun to remold the channel that was deformed while prying out the lens.
You can now.clean the lens from the inside.
I used rtv silicone reseal the lights. Give 3 days to fully cure and you got yourself a new set of.light!!! Some say you should not use silicone to reseal the lights because you won't be able to reopen. For the 997 the bond between the lens and headlight housing is what keeps the light fixed. This bond is constantly under tension and if it fails lens will fall off. There are no clips or screws holding the lens and housing together.
Don't have a lot of pics but whole process can be done in a couple.of hours..
