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Pitting on headlights

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Old 01-24-2005, 11:16 AM
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Pitting on headlights

Did a search, but all I came up with were several threads on fogging INside the headlight lenses. I don't have that problem (yet) but yesterday while detailing my car I did notice how badly pitted and dinged the headlight lens covers were. I'm going to get some Meguiar's plastic cleaner and polish and see if that buffs some of the pitting out, but at this rate those lens covers will be damn near opaque in a couple years. My car has less than 10K miles on it.

The headlight lens plastic seems way too soft to be subjected to normal road grit that gets thrown at the front of the car on freeways. I don't tailgate, but dang it -- traffic is so thick here most of the time that when you leave a 3 second gap between you and the guy ahead of you, some dork cuts into the space; so it's impossible to leave enough space to avoid having grit hit the car's nose.

I'm wondering if anybody else has noticed this. I also wonder if Mazda will replace the lens covers under warranty, like they did for the folks who had the fogging issue. You can bet I'll get some of those clear plastic protectors for the new lenses if they do!
Old 01-24-2005, 11:24 AM
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Replaced fog light

Same deal- only here in LA if you leave a 3 second space, Las Vegas moves in! Never mind pits -stone cracked lense to left fog- (can not replace- JUST- lense, had buy the whole D--- light!
Old 01-24-2005, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Aratinga
Did a search, but all I came up with were several threads on fogging INside the headlight lenses. I don't have that problem (yet) but yesterday while detailing my car I did notice how badly pitted and dinged the headlight lens covers were. I'm going to get some Meguiar's plastic cleaner and polish and see if that buffs some of the pitting out, but at this rate those lens covers will be damn near opaque in a couple years. My car has less than 10K miles on it.

The headlight lens plastic seems way too soft to be subjected to normal road grit that gets thrown at the front of the car on freeways. I don't tailgate, but dang it -- traffic is so thick here most of the time that when you leave a 3 second gap between you and the guy ahead of you, some dork cuts into the space; so it's impossible to leave enough space to avoid having grit hit the car's nose.

I'm wondering if anybody else has noticed this. I also wonder if Mazda will replace the lens covers under warranty, like they did for the folks who had the fogging issue. You can bet I'll get some of those clear plastic protectors for the new lenses if they do!
I don't have that issue...at least I don't think so!! I would recommend buffing these with the meguiers you mentioned. If that fails, call your dealer and demand the lenses by replaced under warranty. I have the fog issue w/ mine, so a warranty replacement will be coming soon.

- Irish
Old 01-24-2005, 02:20 PM
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Aratinga, yours was in the body shop for what, 5 months? I wonder if the pits were from some grinding or welding flash that fell on the light covers? Hard to say though, if you just noticed it...
Old 01-24-2005, 03:36 PM
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I've got Ultrashield clear headlight covers installed on my baby. They are very similar to the clear-bras, but much, much thicker. No chips or cracked lenses on my ride after 1.5 yrs.
Old 01-24-2005, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by o_town_racer
I've got Ultrashield clear headlight covers installed on my baby. They are very similar to the clear-bras, but much, much thicker. No chips or cracked lenses on my ride after 1.5 yrs.
where can u buy these and how much are they?

FS
Old 01-24-2005, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by fullsmoke
where can u buy these and how much are they?

FS
Go to www.clearmask.com. You can buy a kit or you can buy the material bulk and cut your own.
Old 01-24-2005, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Nubo
Aratinga, yours was in the body shop for what, 5 months? I wonder if the pits were from some grinding or welding flash that fell on the light covers? Hard to say though, if you just noticed it...
Yes, I thought of that... the entire car was covered in dust and grit for a long time while at the bodyshop. The headlights look and feel like they've been sandblasted, though. The rest of the car cleaned up very nicely and I was surprised when I clay-barred it that I didn't get more grime out of the paint. Of course, the back half the car was freshly painted, so...
Old 01-24-2005, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Go48
Go to www.clearmask.com. You can buy a kit or you can buy the material bulk and cut your own.
Stongard (and a number of other vendors) provide the same 3M film products. Many detailing, body, and aftermarket accessory shops install them, as well. Very good protection for both the headlights and fog lights.
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