philooo

after pressure washing it, there are flakes all around the impact. The flakes are coming even from deeper inside the glass, it is not a superficial flaking. It doesn't look like a film was applied on top of the headlight.

To make an impact this big, I would assume the object would have cracked the plastic cover...

I still think it is acid or something that dropped on it. I assume I will have to make my own testing. I am thinking of removing the housing and make a test underneath or something.

ivangene

WOW, thats strange indeed.....

Pac996

Could be brake fluid or the power steering type of fluid that caused what ever is flaking to flake. Could even be cleaning got an old coat of protectant film or cosmetic coating to start peeling. Just blame it on the police with their laser speed guns so the next time you see them on the side of the road and cuss them out. If they act aggressive or defensive tell them you are taking them to court. I'm sure he'll give you a promise on paper to meet you in court

ivangene

hey that light is toast... why not try a "spot test" with more brake fluid and see if it repeats? - there is no repair that I have ever heard of for that unless you use a product like Weldon #40 and "fill" it in

these are acrylic right?

philooo

I'll try to test, because if that is the problem then I want the dealer to replace it as it is their fault. I know it might be hard but at least I want to give it a try.

fpb111

The lense is polycarbonate, Polycarbonate is not very solvent resistant. If one spills solvent on it will stress crack very much like tempered glass does when hit. I think a brake fluid spill would look very similar to the spot(s) on that lense.
http://www.gallinausa.com/pdfs/polyc...resistance.pdf
scroll down to "Oils and Greases"

also: http://www.madisongroup.com/failure/..._analysis.html

http://asmcommunity.asminternational...973904eb4ca2d0
alcohols and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
• Molecular size: Chemicals with lower molecular
weights are more aggressive ESC agents than
higher molecular-weight counterparts. Thus, silicone
oil is more severe than silicone grease, and
acetone is more severe than methyl isobutyl ketone.
This results directly from the size of the molecule,
with smaller molecules having a greater ability to
permeate into the molecular structure of the
polymer.
Stress effects
• Tensile stress: ESC failure will occur within a
material only under conditions of tensile stress. Tensile
stresses are required to create the molecular dis-
Fig. 1 — Scanning electron images show the progressive nature of ESC failure
within a polycarbonate laboratory fracture.
Fig. 2 — This diagram illustrates the progressive steps in
failure caused by environmental stress cracking.
entanglement that leads to ESC. Compressive
stresses, while sufficient to cause mechanical failure
under some conditions, do not orient the molecules
in ways conducive to ESC.
• Residual stress: Internal molded-in residual
stresses combine with external stress to produce
ESC. In many cases, the magnitude of the moldedin
stress is sufficient to result in ESC.

For more information:
Jeffrey A. Jansen,
Polymer Science Manager,
Stork Technimet,
2345 South 170 St.,
New Berlin, WI 53151;
tel: 262/782-6344;
e-mail: jeff.jansen@
stork.com.
A localized stress field exists
immediately in front of a crack,
notch, or defect.
Fluid is absorbed into the stress
field and locally plasticizes
the material.
Crazes initiate and grow within
the plasticized stress field.
The crazes coalesce and cracking
initiates and extends beyond the
original stress field. A new stress
field is created and plasticized.
Crazes initiate and grow
within the plasticized stress
field.
Cracking continues in
a progressive manner.
ADVANCED

Sneaky Pete

Have you thought about reporting it on your insurance? If your deductible is crazy high maybe not but its a thought.

sjfehr

The lights are $500 each from Pelican Parts if the dealer won't fess up. If you've changed the bulbs, you're probably already aware that replacing the lights is a trivial DIY job.

Edit: oops, missed that they're litronics. Which are more than $500.

Sneaky Pete

For Litronics?

philooo

I have taken the headlight out and placed a drop of brake fluid in a hidden part of the headlight, we'll see how it get within the next 48 hours.

PS: I have Litronics indeed.

ivangene

ps they are not $500 (sorry)

there is a company around here called "Tap Plastics" might google them for a website and contact info... they are pretty good with plastics and might know a repair even if its not 100%..... or point you in the right direction, I have used them for years and they are good people....

Edgy01

I like that you have tried the drip test with brake fluid. Let us know what happens. Brake fluid, like other automotive fluids, can do a job on things.