Headlight Plastic Lens Replacements

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 30 Sep 2018, 07:21

vtl wrote: 30 Sep 2018, 02:21 My 2002 V70 had hazy glass lens, because even the glass suffers from particulates.

Buff them with Cerium Oxide. It won't take out deep pits but it will clear up the haze caused by the lighter scratches.

Post by **vtl** » 30 Sep 2018, 07:32

RickHaleParker wrote: 30 Sep 2018, 07:21
vtl wrote: 30 Sep 2018, 02:21 My 2002 V70 had hazy glass lens, because even the glass suffers from particulates.
Buff them with Cerium Oxide. It won't take out deep pits but it will clear up the haze caused by the lighter scratches.

I.e. you still have to mess even with glass lens

Post by **shiloh51933** » 01 Oct 2018, 07:49

The glass lens outlast these new plastic lens by far, my 2004 has 225k on the odometer with plenty of night driving and the glass lens are still crystal clear. The plastic lens on the 2005's glaze over after 5-6 years unless consistently buffed out and polished.
I'll stay with the glass...

Post by **Rattnalle** » 01 Oct 2018, 08:11

shiloh51933 wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 07:49 The glass lens outlast these new plastic lens by far, my 2004 has 225k on the odometer with plenty of night driving and the glass lens are still crystal clear. The plastic lens on the 2005's glaze over after 5-6 years unless consistently buffed out and polished.
I'll stay with the glass...

The glass only gets blasted by particles. It doesn't deteriorate on its own or from uv light like plastic.

Plus it is replaceable.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 01 Oct 2018, 08:37

IdahoBob wrote: 22 Sep 2018, 22:02 Our '06 XC70 (US Model) has the plastic headlight lens (Hey, Volvo! Terrible idea, especially on a 'near-luxury' class priced vehicle). Please Advise, Thanks!

The switch to plastic lenses was due to a NHTSA regulation. Something about reducing certain types of pedestrian injuries. Europe has no such reg to my knowledge. They can have glass if they want it and are willing to pay for it. I'm half surprised we aren't stuck with sh-- plastic windscreens/side windows etc that have to be constantly polished and switched out every 3 years. Give it time the insurance industry here will probably think of that too...

Post by **Rattnalle** » 01 Oct 2018, 08:44

mrbrian200 wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 08:37
IdahoBob wrote: 22 Sep 2018, 22:02 Our '06 XC70 (US Model) has the plastic headlight lens (Hey, Volvo! Terrible idea, especially on a 'near-luxury' class priced vehicle). Please Advise, Thanks!
The switch to plastic lenses was due to a NHTSA regulation. Something about reducing certain types of pedestrian injuries. Europe has no such reg to my knowledge. They can have glass if they want it and are willing to pay for it. I'm half surprised we aren't stuck with sh-- plastic windscreens/side windows etc that have to be constantly polished and switched out every 3 years. Give it time the insurance industry here will probably think of that too...

No European car use glass anymore. Volvo was actually quite late in switching.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 01 Oct 2018, 09:29

They switched the US models earlier because the reg took effect. For example, there are a couple European parts sites I've seen glass replacement lenses for my '06 for sale but they all say something to the effect 'cannot ship glass replacement lenses to North America' buried somewhere in the product description or site terms.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 01 Oct 2018, 10:24

mrbrian200 wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 09:29 They switched the US models earlier because the reg took effect. For example, there are a couple European parts sites I've seen glass replacement lenses for my '06 for sale but they all say something to the effect 'cannot ship glass replacement lenses to North America' buried somewhere in the product description or site terms.

They switched the whole production for MY05. From what I've seen US spec cars still had glass in 04 and then for 05 they didn't use glass on any car. The lenses you saw were most likely not described correctly.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 01 Oct 2018, 13:34

Rattnalle wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 10:24
mrbrian200 wrote: 01 Oct 2018, 09:29 They switched the US models earlier because the reg took effect. For example, there are a couple European parts sites I've seen glass replacement lenses for my '06 for sale but they all say something to the effect 'cannot ship glass replacement lenses to North America' buried somewhere in the product description or site terms.
They switched the whole production for MY05. From what I've seen US spec cars still had glass in 04 and then for 05 they didn't use glass on any car. The lenses you saw were most likely not described correctly.

That is possible (not described correctly).

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 01 Oct 2018, 19:43

Are plastic replacement lenses available?