New one on me...

[titus]

My headlamp covers are peeling! Looks something like maybe a clear coat that is slowly coming off, top to bottom, down the Lexan. I can't peel it with a fingernail but it does catch a fingernail. Tried alcohol and paint thinner (to see if it was possibly a 'Zaino coat' type thing) but no joy. The lamp covers have been Plexus'd regularly. You don't suppose the factory clearcoated these? The peeling started at the top (where the strongest weathering is). Nah!



Anybody have any suggestions, or is it 'get-the-Novus' time?

 

[Scottwax]

New to me too. How old is your car? If it is pretty new, something like that should be covered under the warranty.

 

[LightngSVT]

Headlamps are "hatd coated" and thats probably whats peeling. How do I know? My wife is a Program Manager / Engineer for a lighting supplier. Id ask her to explain further, but shes in Italy right now. I wowuld expect your lenses to start yellowing or hazing where its peeled.

 

[wash-girl]

I've seen that before, both on my girlfriend's Toyota and my neighbor's Lincoln. I never could figure out what caused it. My guess is that the headlights were never protected with any wax or UV protectant.



Purely for looks, I was able (with a lot of elbow grease) to "remove" the remaining layer of clearcoat or whatever it is. I used the scrub side of a non-scratch (blue) Scotch-brite sponge and some Kit plastic polish followed by a little DACP (which would probably have done the trick by itself). I then protected it with some Liquid Glass and it looked fine. The lights now get a coat of whatever wax is going on, whenever I detail them.



It probably wasn't the best idea to remove that layer, but it beat the hell out of buying new light enclosures, and it looks a lot better now.