MY350Z.COM - Nissan 350Z and 370Z Forum Discussion

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-   Exterior & Interior (https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-and-interior-51/)
-   -   Has this ever happened to anyone's headlights before? (https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-and-interior/544659-has-this-ever-happened-to-anyones-headlights-before.html)

NJVinny350z Dec 30, 2011 08:07 PM

Has this ever happened to anyone's headlights before?
 
Ok, well I bought my Z around May, and my headlights have been like this since I got it. There appears to be lots of little scratches on the plastic of both of my headlights (see pics below).

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/5324/headlight1.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/4543/headlight2n.jpg

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/5324/headlight1.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2477/headlight2.jpg



At certain angles you can't even see it, but personally it bothers me and I would like to know if there is anything I can do to fix this. Basically, I'm looking for replacement plastic for the outside of my headlights.

Eventually I plan on getting 06+ headlights anyway, but for the time being, if anyone could suggest an affordable way to fix this, I'd appreciate it.

805350z Dec 30, 2011 08:15 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cVbw8RZOfM

But for real.. there are little monsters in your headlight, burn and replace.

Glex25 Dec 30, 2011 09:25 PM

Did you ever baked your headlights?

I have seen cracks like that only if someone has left the headlights in the oven for too long or used too high a temp

NJVinny350z Dec 30, 2011 09:52 PM


Originally Posted by Glex25 (Post 9539564)
Did you ever baked your headlights?

I have seen cracks like that only if someone has left the headlights in the oven for too long or used too high a temp

Nope.

I bought the car with them like this. The guy I bought it from had tint over the headlights so I really couldn't see them until I took the tint off.

Waiz Dec 30, 2011 10:05 PM


Originally Posted by NJVinny350z (Post 9539577)
Nope.

I bought the car with them like this. The guy I bought it from had tint over the headlights so I really couldn't see them until I took the tint off.

This is exactly why I keep telling people not to tint their headlights.

Try and purchase one of those headlight restoration kits you can get at Pepboys and see if it helps. If it doesn't help just keep an eye on the marketplace and upgrade to the 06's.

DaProdigy Dec 30, 2011 10:22 PM

happened to me when i installed lens film for protection a few years back in the summer time... non repairable as far as i know.

NJVinny350z Dec 30, 2011 10:56 PM


Originally Posted by Waizzz (Post 9539587)
This is exactly why I keep telling people not to tint their headlights.

Try and purchase one of those headlight restoration kits you can get at Pepboys and see if it helps. If it doesn't help just keep an eye on the marketplace and upgrade to the 06's.

I'm 99% sure the tint was added on there to hide the cracks. When I saw the pictures on the original cars.com posting, there was no tint on the car. When I showed up to look at it he had tinted them along with the taillights and even the top of the windshield (:icon16:).

I actually noticed it through the tint about a week after buying the car, but didn't think it was a big deal. Like I said, it's only visible from a few angles when you get very close.



Originally Posted by DaProdigy (Post 9539598)
happened to me when i installed lens film for protection a few years back in the summer time... non repairable as far as i know.

I figured it was non-repairable, just posted to make sure. Just gives me more of a reason to upgrade to some 06+ headlights I guess. :icon17:

f-350z Dec 30, 2011 11:20 PM

have the same thing with my 08 headlights (blackedout headlights with eye brows)

davidv Dec 30, 2011 11:31 PM

Looks like flex fracturing. Plastic, when flexed, will fracture along weak lines that are part of the molding process.

NJVinny350z Dec 30, 2011 11:36 PM


Originally Posted by f-350z (Post 9539635)
have the same thing with my 08 headlights (blackedout headlights with eye brows)

I guess I'm not alone. :icon43:


Originally Posted by davidv (Post 9539642)
Looks like flex fracturing. Plastic, when flexed, will fracture along weak lines that are part of the molding process.

Hmm. Any idea of what could have caused that to happen? :dunno:

midz350 Dec 31, 2011 12:20 AM

Happened to mine too.

I think its because when you put something on the headlights (tint, eyebrow..) it will heat up the Plastic more and this happens.

davidv Dec 31, 2011 01:50 AM


Originally Posted by NJVinny350z (Post 9539643)
I guess I'm not alone. :icon43:



Hmm. Any idea of what could have caused that to happen? :dunno:

A film that expands and contracts at a different rate than the plastic.
Ultra violet radiation.
Deficiency in the molding process.

gixxert Dec 31, 2011 03:43 AM

my 03 had it really bad i had to replace the headlights there was no fixing. i had my roommate sand and buff them trying to get it out but no luck

tam_anh Dec 31, 2011 09:22 AM

My headlights had this issue too. I think because I parked my car out door most of the time. The sun will either make the lens haze or give them these stretch cracks. Time to upgrade your headlights. :)

marques1 Dec 31, 2011 10:49 AM

stress fractures no way to fix it, just going to have to replace it.

Z Fo Sho Dec 31, 2011 01:22 PM

Buy one of the cheap ebay headlights and swap out the lenses

cubs4worldseris Dec 31, 2011 01:59 PM

There is no OEM Nissan nor aftermarket plastic lens covers that be purchased.

WillyP28 Dec 31, 2011 02:12 PM

Samething happened to my headlights. I bought a used set off ebay for $250 and had the guys at lightwerkz switch the plastic lens covers and repaint the housing. Not cheap but it was worth it.

f-350z Dec 31, 2011 02:18 PM


Originally Posted by midz350 (Post 9539659)
Happened to mine too.

I think its because when you put something on the headlights (tint, eyebrow..) it will heat up the Plastic more and this happens.

not in my case, coz when i removed the eyebrows for repaint, i found the area below them has no single crack, but only around the eyebrow area

http://photoupload.org/uploads/13253732271.jpg

http://photoupload.org/uploads/13253732272.jpg

sk26dett Dec 31, 2011 02:33 PM

Yea they're caused by overlays, same thing happened to mine. I ended up buying a pair of base headlights and swapping the plastics. Don't buy the $199 ebay crap, i hear fitment is terrible.


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