Headlight lense problem

[19Beetle99]

I have a 99' Black GLS. The problem I have is that my headlight lense has what looks like cracks in it. The best way I can descibe it is that it looks like shattered glass. Say you take a bat a hit a window and it doesn't totally brake but is shattered. It's not noticable unless you get close to it. I don't know if its just on the outside or throughout the lense. I tried sanding it a little bit and buffing it out but didn't seem to work. I don't know if I should try sanding it down more or it's just really sun damaged to the point that it cracked throughout the lense and i just need to replace it. It's both lenses by the way.

[Toad]

Wow, that sucks. My headlight lens was falling off, so i went to the dealer and orderd a new lens assembly, it cost me around $140, but i was the lens and the outer reffector, and it was a simple snap off - snap on.

[19Beetle99]

That's expensive for those pieces of plastic. I think you can buy the whole headlight assembly new on ebay for around that price. Hopefully I won't have to buy new headlight lenses. I wonder if there are any aftermarket companies that sell them cheaper.

[NBTurboFreak]

Originally Posted by Toad

*snip* ...My headlight lens was falling off... *snip*

I have had that happen to me on 3 different lenses. Always seemed to be and passanger side for me. I just went to the dealership and got the lense rather than drive around with an exposed headlight.

[dragonplayboy]

clean them with acetone based fingernail polish remover, then wetsand them with 2000 or 2500 grit sandpaper, then buff them repeatedly with plastic polish, I think meguiars or mothers makes a good one. they should look darn near new after this, if they still look spiderwebby, start looking on ebay for new ones. I got two slightly used headlights for less than 100 bucks on ebay, one at a time, just keep an eye out.

[Deserion]

The plastic "crazes" after a while due to age (the Lexan roofs on targa-top Corvettes do this, too). The best solution is to replace. Most of the headlights sold on eBay are aftermarket, quality isn't quite up to OEM but it's pretty close.

Sometimes you can find new OEM pieces on the 'Bay without giving your first-born.

-Des

[19Beetle99]

I took some pictures to show exactly what i'm talking about. This is after sanding it down and using "Plast-X".

[Deserion]

That's called crazing.

-Des

[19Beetle99]

So I guess there is no fix. Just replace. Is there an aftermarket company that makes the lenses?

[julianna]

Hey everyone,
I'm asking all the beetle owners who's headlight lens covers have fallen off or keep falling off to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE contact VW at 1800 822 8987. This design is faulty and very expensive to a VW owner to repair. I have had 2 headlight lens fall off on me and I have bought the whole headlight assembly at $400 each. For the 3rd time now my headlight assembly seal is breaking and will fall off in time again, and the darn thing is 1 yr and 2 months old. I was told because of the heat the lens falls off at the dealer.I was told by VW that no one really has called about this issue, so please do. I have never heard of any other car losing the headlight lens. This needs to stop! We need to get them to fix the design, do a recall and reimburse us for the money and time we put into this. With out the complaints it wont get solved.If you do call, I really appreciate it and thanks!

[Smileybug]

Never had a lens fall off on my car over a span of 6 1/2 years. Seals weren't in the greatest of shape either. Car was living in the south for a good 5 years of those 6 1/2...probably more. And went through 100+ degree weather and high humidity. Never had a problem. I've seen a few people with the problem, but its certainly not widespread.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

I have to second SB, both my NBs came out of southwest (Phoenix) or southeast (Miami) markets. The '02 spent years in the Phoenix environment, high temps, dry, air contaminents, and high UV. Certainly took it's toll on the rest of the car, paint, interior cheapo plastic parts, leather seats, etc. Both now live in the South. No indications of lens seals issues at all (not talking about yellowing, that's another issue, with the Phoenix Bug)

Nor have I ever seen a Bug on the road with a lens cover missing. Might be something unique to your environment, a particular air-borne chemical that is attacking the seal.

Btw, the lens cover is a serviceable part, available from VW, you don't have to buy the entire headlight assembly.

Headlight Covers Only
Driver's Headlight Cover Missing

MORAV

[Deserion]

In three NBs over 12 years I've never lost a lens. Have they loosened? Sure, on the '05 NBC a few did and I had the lens itself replaced under warranty.

I would suggest finding a nice pair of eBay headlights (not Depo) and use those for the lenses. Cheaper, and some of them have pretty good quality. I put a set in a friend's '00 that had a continual, OEM-like rubber gasket. Holds up well (internals suck, though).