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Would you mind explaining how you replace the lense?
Does it just pop off?
Unfortunately, it's way more complicated than that.
For some reason, Porsche uses some sort of silicone/RTV instead of headlight adhesive like most other manufactures. Of course I found this out after I spent a few hours trying to heat them up to pry the lens off. As RTV basically doesn't melt/soften, no amount of heat will loosen them enough to pry off. Because of this, I actually had to cut around the perimeter of the lens (Dremmel with cutoff wheel) then pry/cut out the remaining portion that was adhered in the lens channel.
If you search the Planet9 threads, there's a great post that explains the entire process with pics. It was a little easier for me, as I had an extra headlight housing and did a little bit at a time.
amet,
Do you have a simple process to get the assembly off?
Hm? To remove the headlights? This is on 991.1, key is in the frunk tool set. Insert and turn to release, remove the headlight connector and that’s about it.
My 2015 GTS had microcracks. I bought it used...I think it was 30 months old or thereabouts. It didn't have PPF on it so I took it to my installer.
He showed me where Xpel states DO NOT APPLY PPF TO THIS HEADLIGHT because it can make the problem worse. I had a PDK failure about the same time, so they replaced the trans and both headlights.
I don't have PPF on them. I think mine should be a new type that doesn't get the cracks, but I don't know. I'd get PPF if I knew for sure.
So, my 2013 car's CPO ran out a couple of months ago. I asked my dealer (more than once) about the headlights and he said "It's a 7 year old car with 50k miles". It is what it is.
My lights don't look bad to look at during the day, but when I start my car at night and see the lens, they have tons of "pepper cracks" and "spots".
Pretty sure my CPO days are long gone. I don't mind removing them and sanding them, but now I'm a little pissed they know this is a big deal.
I have a '16 GTS (Nov 15 build date) and the previous owner put PPF on the headlights back in 2018. I see no signs of microcracks, etc.
Has anyone figured out of this was a bad batch of headlights or...??
I have a '16 GTS (Nov 15 build date) and the previous owner put PPF on the headlights back in 2018. I see no signs of microcracks, etc.
Has anyone figured out of this was a bad batch of headlights or...??
Just don't try to remove the PPF without being super careful, or it'll take the headlight coating with it. Your PPF was probably applied real early and protected the headlight coating underneath from naturally deteriorating. All the major PPF vendors/installers had a specific note to not apply PPF to 991 and 981 headlights due to delamination when the film was lifted and took coating off the lights. I think owners had to give consent/sign a waiver to have PPF applied to their headlights. This seems to me like it's not an issue with a particular bad batch, but an issue with the coating itself or application process that Porsche used for headlights in this generation. It's just like the door panel warping issue, eventually they'll fail from heat exposure, owners who keep their cars mostly indoors experience this at slower rates. New headlights or panels get swapped in to replace the bad ones, but they'll fail again in the same manner eventually.
Best bet for headlights is to apply PPF carefully with plenty of lubrication and not constantly lifting it up during the installation process, then just don't mess with the film afterwards. For headlights that are already damaged, it looks like sanding and applying new coating/PPF is the most budget friendly option without replacing headlights entirely. Replacing the headlight lenses are another option, but obviously takes even more of an effort to DIY.
Mine had micro cracks when I bought my 991 and looked like it was the lens itself cracking. Had a professional in the bay area grind through the clear coat, polish and ceramic coat. Took the car first to someone who also claimed to be a professional but botched the job and made everything worse. Thankfully I found this guy who was very familiar with Porsche headlights and took him 4 hours to do.Still trying to decide if I should ppf it since there is no more clear coat to crack anyway or if the ceramic coat is enough to protect the lights from yellowing later. Can a ppf be done diy?
Mine had micro cracks when I bought my 991 and looked like it was the lens itself cracking. Had a professional in the bay area grind through the clear coat, polish and ceramic coat. Took the car first to someone who also claimed to be a professional but botched the job and made everything worse. Thankfully I found this guy who was very familiar with Porsche headlights and took him 4 hours to do.Still trying to decide if I should ppf it since there is no more clear coat to crack anyway or if the ceramic coat is enough to protect the lights from yellowing later. Can a ppf be done diy?
Before After
Hey Lukster, if your referring to SF Bay Area, would you mind providing where you had this service done. Thanks John
03-31-2021, 08:36 PM
