2009 Cayman S - 987.2 Rear Tail Lights Dull ?

Hi Guys Thank you for reading my post I Recently purchased a 987.2 Cayman s , the rear tail lights are very dull, can this be fixed? This week I purchased two new rear lights from the Porsche main dealer, only to find that Odello the manufacturer of the rear lights in Bulgaria are supplying poor constructed, misaligned, and warped parts as standard, the Porsche main dealer close to where I live have now resorted to to some sort of work around?? so I have returned the new oem parts as they are not fit for purpose. Im not keen on the 718 style lights, preferring the OE look, just wondering if anyone has come up with a fix for the dull rear lenses?

I think we'd need pictures, and a better description of what you mean... the lenses certainly can oxidize. In addition, some will have crazing and can get stuff behind them. My 2010 had this issue. I didn't care for the 718-style lights either, but after one of mine broke, I had to get something, so I settled on that. The only place I found for replacements were OEM... so they are expensive. I got the 718-style ones for half the price. The turn signal is a bulb, and I detailed how to install a nice LED , which helped a lot. The brake lights on my US-spec were LED already, so that didn't need any changes - are your brake lights LED as well? I haven't heard of the LEDs going "dim" in any way... but the turns were dim in my opinion, and the LED made a big difference. I have threads with many pictures and information here, so you can look at those and compare.

Hi Schwinn, thank you for responding to my post, I will come back to you on Sunday, as its quite late here in the UK….I will write soon

There are replacement lenses available. I’ve never seen anyone comment on how that works or how they last.

Is it the lense exterior that is dim? Call it faded or oxidized? Or are you dealing with older bulbs? I’m sure you replaced those first, just trying to ascertain what the “dim” is referring to. If it’s the condition of the exterior lense material, there are definitely options for refurbishing them. I have a 718, so not dealing with these issues…yet, but would love to help diagnose further.

Is it possible someone tinted the lights? That's a popular "mod" among younger owners of performance cars.. If it was a film type tint, it should be removable (not necessarily easily, but it usually can be done without destroying what's under the film.)

What is dim? Are the bulbs themselves dim? That seems like an electrical problem (the column switch, the relay, to the bulb?) Are the plastic lenses themselves dim? Are they scratched? Sand them with 1000, 2000, 3000, and then use a hot vent bottle to hit them with hot acetone on them, they'll reflow and look clear.

So it’s hot acetone they use? I couldn’t remember. Impressive how that works on old lights.

Hi Guys, thank you so much for your replies, and my sincere apologies for the late reply, I have the dreaded oxidation of the rear tail light lenses, after watching a couple of Utube videos, I refurbished one lens with Cerakote after using various grades of sandpaper discs, I must say it came out rather well, But I am very interested in the Acetone mist application that Ian and Renfield have mentioned in the comments above, and Im quite tempted to try that Acetone mist, the second lens has already had one of the previous owners attempt a repair, this has resulted in quite prominent scratches, however Im sure we can refurbish it back to a vary acceptable standard, I will post up some pics

Please do some before/after pics on the second light. We love that kinda thing. I've never heard of the acetone mist, but it's entirely possible.. acetone will dissolve plastic (and crazyglue..)