16 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHeadlight replacement
Leading reported evidence
Replace 1999's headlights
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I just replaced my 1999's headlights with pre-owned Ebay lights.
Leading evidence: 'Replace 1999's headlights' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend shopping' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Since then I changed the xenon bulbs for LEDs, required some retiring, but they shine whiter, can’t say for sure that they are brighter.
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I've used the DIY headlight restore products with good success.
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Suggestion · Original poster
They were actually pretty cool and recommended shopping for them on eBay!
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Suggestion
If you are set on replacing and go used, check out partssociety and norspec dismantling.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
16 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
the $19 kit we bought involved 3 sanding stages, and one polishing stage and it worked great.
My 2002 996 headlights are staring to discolor. I happened to be at dealership and asked about the restorer treatments. They said they are ok but will only restore headlights to 60% clarity. I've been shopping replacements and even the used market (junked car parts) seem to be pricey. Anyone have a recommendation on where to find replacements ?
Gee, do you think they had any incentive to say that? Where did that # come from? Did you ask? I would have to agree that the restorer kits don't make the lights perfect, but they do pretty good. I would think it's much better than 60% if done correctly.
This is the best kit I've seen.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429NKWK/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's a bit of an involved, multi-step process but I recently used it on an older honda and the headlights looked showroom new.
It's one of those processes where each step feels like you're making it worse because the headlights get a cloudy look but as soon as you do the last step with the UV block/clearcoat, it suddenly is crystal clear. Unless you are planning to restore a number of headlights and would save money buying all the components separately, I highly recommend this kit.
I bought new headlights off ebay for $900 and I'm on my second year with them and they still look new and no faults so far.
I bought an off the shelf auto parts store head recondition kit for my boxter and
followed the directions
... worked great, looked great and they looked better then "60%" wasn't hard to do at all and well worth the $19
Just my 2 cents
Mine got so bad (I couldn't see the bulps) and I tried a wipe on buff off product that got them to 90%. Lasted a couple of month. Next step will be the same with a clear coat applied.
If you are set on replacing and go used, check out partssociety and norspec dismantling. I've had good luck with both.
I've used the DIY headlight restore products with good success. It doesn't help if the inside lens is burned like a lot of old 996, but it does a great job on the outer clear lens.
We use the 3M restoration kit for headlights. It utilizes 3 stages of pneumatic sanding followed by 2 stages of pneumatic polishing. It is messy and time consuming, but the results are outstanding and long lasting. The cheaper kits don't last much more than a couple of weeks in our experience. Check with a high end detail shop in your area and you may find they perform that service.
not to debate just stating for us our boxster lenses looked great up until I sold it last summer. the $19 kit we bought involved 3 sanding stages, and one polishing stage and it worked great. check out youtube.. theirs tons of people doing this so many different way and so many different results. like matt stated, you can check with local detail shops and I'm sure they can off there version of it and guarantee there results. just sharing our experience.
I had a detailer buff my '03 996 headlights to perfect condition.
5 years ago.
The beast's headlamps look great but she sits in her cave most of the time, away from UV.
From what I understand, a decent kit should, in addition to sanding & polishing stages, include a UV clear coat step to bring out shine and protect it (much in the same way you would clear coat & protect a paint after polishing).
Believe it or not I went to Walmart and for their fantastic price I got a tech who loves Porsche’s and he spent almost 3 hours! sanding and polishing my litronic headlights. They look new. Since then I changed the xenon bulbs for LEDs, required some retiring, but they shine whiter, can’t say for sure that they are brighter. These were made to replace the d2 bulb so the light pattern should be and looks stock. Good luck!
I just replaced my 1999's headlights with pre-owned Ebay lights. $425 shipped for both. One is a little cloudy but the other is like new. Both will be cleaned and sealed in a few weeks and will look completely new. They have the amber reflectors so that might play into the lower price but i'm happy.
Shop around...
