When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Like many others, our 2017 Macan S had headlights deteriorating towards the end of warranty and Porsche NA failed to own up to it and make it right. Contacted Atlanta HQ and sent pictures, and the Porsche employee responded by saying it's a cosmetic issue which isn't covered and that I could buy new headlights for over $5,000 to fix it. Not reasonable.
It started as crazing in the lens visible only when the lights were on. Over the next year the crazing became visible in daylight, and the upper surfaces of the headlights started to dull and show oxidation.
In an attempt to fix it, I sanded the surface and polished the lens. Not 100% like new, but about the same as it looked 3 years into ownership.
The crazing originally looked to be through the thickness of the lens, but it turns out it's just in a top coating a few thousandths thick. After sanding through this the crazing disappears. The coating likely provides abrasion and UV protection, but it had already failed anyway. Started with 320 grit, going through 500, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 and finally 3000. Then polishing paste, scratch remover, and polish/cleaner. There are a few swirls visible, so I might need to go back with 500 grit and repeat. Hard to tell until the lens is clear enough again to show defects.
After 320 grit. A little scary if you haven't done this before, as it looks like you surely ruined a very expensive headlight!
After sanding, moving on to polishing compound with a foam pad, and then finishing with plastic cleaners.
Still not perfect, but much better. Might do another round of polishing to get better clarity.
There are a couple of protective films that can be applied once you have cleaned up the lens. I don't have my research handy, but it might be worthwhile to look into it.
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Slideshow: Porsche has created a Japan-only 911 GT3 Artisan Edition that blends track-ready hardware with design cues inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Slideshow: Porsche's latest electric Cayenne Coupe blends dramatic styling with supercar acceleration, turning the brand's midsize SUV into a 1,139-horsepower flagship.
Headlights restored
