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The problem is the film installed on the OEM lights. That $20 kit you're referring to (I probably used the same kit on my S2000 with success) wouldn't stand a chance against my C63 lenses.
You'd need to sand it down to the original plastic to remove the cracked, pitted film. Since there's no easy way to control how much material you're removing, you'd likely just end up compromising the lens like was mentioned above.
So I ordered new lenses.
You know back in the day, I would have agreed that any MB part was special but not now. The lowest bidder still wins. There are not all that many headlamp fixture makers out there and my bet the materials on our cars is not different that your average Toyota, Honda, GM or Ford.
For the price of lenses I would go the $20 route first before per-judging the outcome.
You know back in the day, I would have agreed that any MB part was special but not now. The lowest bidder still wins. There are not all that many headlamp fixture makers out there and my bet the materials on our cars is not different that your average Toyota, Honda, GM or Ford.
For the price of lenses I would go the $20 route first before per-judging the outcome.
Having personally repaired headlights on other vehicles via the $20 process and seeing my own messed up lights in person, I respectfully disagree.
Replacement lenses are the way to go in my case.
Since you seem confident in your statement. How about you send me a postage paid parcel so I can send my old lenses back to you.
I paid $209 CAD for the new ones. You can probably make a profit repairing my old ones after it's all said and done. Maybe enough to buy yourself a case of premium beer
Totally disagree with your answer. As noted above you can refinish the lens and putting at PPF coating in them will help keep them fresh.
I did 2 Toyotas - 2004 and 2008 - that stumbled around in the dark the lighting was so poor and when I got done I can see the glow of a stop sign in the dark country side nearly 3/4 of a mile down the road.
I bought a $20 kit and didn't even use the drill polisher. Took about 30 minutes by hand for each car.
I would be concerned about sealing the units if replacing the lens and off gassing from a sealant MAY affect the mirrors
An easy and inexpensive way to restore the lenses.
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You'd have a valid point if it weren't for the fact that the pitting seen is far too deep for sanding to even touch. As in the picture I posted, those headlight lenses have been corrected far more than a $20/off the shelf kit will even do, and there is still noticeable pitting. It did fix the minor pitting and some scratchs, but most of it is deep.
Lots of emphasis on fully removing the pitting. I'd pay the extra for new lenses + PPF application and not really worry about it again. If I'd known about this site for the lenses before I reassembled my headlights, I'd have ordered them instead of correcting the old ones
Having personally repaired headlights on other vehicles via the $20 process and seeing my own messed up lights in person, I respectfully disagree.
Replacement lenses are the way to go in my case.
Since you seem confident in your statement. How about you send me a postage paid parcel so I can send my old lenses back to you.
I paid $209 CAD for the new ones. You can probably make a profit repairing my old ones after it's all said and done. Maybe enough to buy yourself a case of premium beer
I did the lenses on my Subaru recently.
I favor the idea of replacing the lenses but came up with this cheap solution and .... let's see how long it lasts, then I change them.
So instead of the $20 kit and instead of hand sanding, or using a drill, I used my detailing wheel and coarse cutting compound.
Then I rattlecanned clear coat (lights were off the car), then wait a day then hit it again with the wheel, this time with polishing compound, then mirror glaze.
So getting the lenses to look good is not difficult. Getting them to stay looking good is the problem, let's see if this makes them stay clean looking.
If not..... new lenses.
Oh and I had the lenses off before in the Subaru, nah the butyl tape seals just fine there's no moisture getting in in 3 years now and I re used the factory one.
Missed this earlier. I had Suntek applied. It's held up on the C250 very well during the winter, and kept the headlights looking new. The only problem with Suntek I've found is occasional fitment. For example, if you're going to PPF cover the headlights of a PFL C63, it's better to order the standard W204 C250/300/350 kit because the entire lense is covered in PPF AND you get PPF covers for the fog lights.
The C63 kit does not include them, and the cuts end abruptly in the corners of the headlight for no good reason. I don't understand why.
@Funkwagen, where did you get the Suntek kit from or did it come through your installer? Interested in a Canadian source but would bring in from US if I had too. Didn't find much online. Thanks in advance.
@Funkwagen, where did you get the Suntek kit from or did it come through your installer? Interested in a Canadian source but would bring in from US if I had too. Didn't find much online. Thanks in advance.
AR
It came through the installer. I don't know any direct sources to purchase it unfortunately
Lenses came in and they excellent.
Will compare to OE once I get them apart. Ordered the C63 Xpel Headlight kit in clear which comes with the fogs as well.
Does the PPF explicitly say that it blocks UV? Most of the film applied to car bodies does not block UV so that the paint that's covered doesn't fade less than the paint that isn't. Unless the headlight film specifically says UV blocking, it doesn't. It will provide a physical barrier of course but that won't prevent. yellowing under the film. Just a PSA.
Unlike other films, XPEL Headlamp Protection film has a patented scratch resistant surface coating that
provides unmatched levels of durability, stability and longevity. This coating is nearly impossible to
scuff and employs a UV inhibitor to prevent shrinking and discoloration, ensuring that your headlights
I will say this about the OEM MB lenses....YES, they do come with a clear coat of sorts that will start to flake over time, especially at the top of the lens BUT you can polish them back out. I do it on other vehicles all the time but i have in fact done my Merc's lenses on multiple occasions and they come out like new every time. I do NOT recommend using a clear on them after the fact as the aftermarket clears are much harder to get off if need be. The OEM coating is very very VERY thin and polishes off within about 30sec of effort. I have tried every conceivable brand/type of polish over the years but found that parts stores carry a polish that will not only cut through most oxidation and scratches but also polishes out like glass. Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish on a 3" headlight buffing pad mounted to a 2 speed variable cordless drill(not a die grinder) will truly make you step back in amazement. Instead of clearing them afterwards i just repolish every 4 to 5 months and let that be that....Takes 5min total and i have never been disappointed with the result.
I will say this about the OEM MB lenses....YES, they do come with a clear coat of sorts that will start to flake over time, especially at the top of the lens BUT you can polish them back out. I do it on other vehicles all the time but i have in fact done my Merc's lenses on multiple occasions and they come out like new every time. I do NOT recommend using a clear on them after the fact as the aftermarket clears are much harder to get off if need be. The OEM coating is very very VERY thin and polishes off within about 30sec of effort. I have tried every conceivable brand/type of polish over the years but found that parts stores carry a polish that will not only cut through most oxidation and scratches but also polishes out like glass. Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish on a 3" headlight buffing pad mounted to a 2 speed variable cordless drill(not a die grinder) will truly make you step back in amazement. Instead of clearing them afterwards i just repolish every 4 to 5 months and let that be that....Takes 5min total and i have never been disappointed with the result.
I'll send you my old lenses if you want to try and restore them.
If you dont need them Jason i dont either as i have SEVERAL sets of our lenses just laying around, was just offering to help you out....Tell you what, ill do a before and after on one of these i have and post up so if anyone else wants your lenses they can repair them themself
If you dont need them Jason i dont either as i have SEVERAL sets of our lenses just laying around, was just offering to help you out....Tell you what, ill do a before and after on one of these i have and post up so if anyone else wants your lenses they can repair them themself
If you dont need them Jason i dont either as i have SEVERAL sets of our lenses just laying around, was just offering to help you out....Tell you what, ill do a before and after on one of these i have and post up so if anyone else wants your lenses they can repair them themself
I already purchased new lenses (posted above) so I don't need my old ones.
Are the ones you have laying around as bad as mine are?
03-22-2018, 01:03 PM
