I have a 2012 Panamera 4S, and from the other cars I’ve looked at, this seems to be a common issue. Is there a “fix” for the cracking/webbing issue on the taillights? I was thinking of smoking the lights, so I’m hopeful that a tinted wrap/film can cover it up somewhat.

I don’t think that typical light restore options will work since it’s cracking and not just a haze/yellowing, but I’m not sure if that either.

I tried searching, but there are so many posts with "taillight" and "brake light", etc that I couldn't find what I was looking for.

 

I had this issue with my 2011 4S as well. I couldn't find a solution for it other than either tinting them (which I don't know how that would have looked as for as hiding the micro cracks) or replacing the taillight assemblies altogether. I talked with Porsche, and they declined to help with a warranty replacement, but I also spoke with the Service Manager at my Porsche dealership and he said they (he) has discretion towards what he can replace under warranty and he decided to help me out and replace them for $100.00 out of pocket.

 

Coincidentally, there was someone that asked this same question a day before I did over on rennlist. There was a reply saying they tinted the lights with a high quality exterior tint (made for lights and such) and they had very good results. Nice glossy lights with much of the micro-cracking covered up and not visible or at least not as visible. Since I wanted to slightly smoke my rear lights anyway, I think it might be the option I go with. I don't have much to lose if the next best option is replacement.

 

I think that the sun, the rain accentuates the process of natural degradation. Is the car sleeping in a garage? My 2010 Panamera no worries about the front and rear lights.

 

You’re lucky, mine has always been kept in the garage and the tail lights still had the micro etching.

 

I ended up replacing the rear lights with tinted ones from Suncoast porsche. My local guy wanted $500.00 to wrap them (I tried but lost to DIY)... new was eight hundred and change... it seemed like a no brainer...

 

Wow, $500 to wrap a couple of tail lights seems a little insane. I bought a piece of wrap and I'm going to try to wrap mine when I get a nice warm day just to see how much it reduces the visibility of the cracks. Even if I do a terrible job, it should show me how much the marks will be reduced.

Also, I'm looking at Suncoast and a single 970 tail light is $630 - Where are you getting two lights for $800?

Great looking car BTW, excellent shine.

EDIT: Looks like there is a 970.2 tinted tail light set for $850, but not for the 970. I don't think I've seen OEM smoked 970 tails for sale.

 

I bought a set of two from Suncoast in November 2020 for eight and change... maybe close to 9 but not too close... I do have the 970.2... I tried to wrap the tails myself, but it is a tricky curve and turn shape that I just couldn't get smooth, even with help... 24 feet of wrap in the can!