Crazing Headlamp Lens.

[Ian21401]

I’m posting this here as I suspect that the problem is not solely confined to the XC70 model.
2011 XC70 with bi-xenon self levelling headlamps.
Upper portion of each lamp has fine crazing lines, mostly near the top edge and gradually becoming less lower down. Feels rough to the touch.
The lenses are otherwise quite clear, not cloudy.
The car has passed each MOT to date as it is reported to not be affecting the beam pattern.
To date all the information that I have been able find is referring to cloudy or yellowing lenses and this is not my problem.
Is this “crazing” the final coating disintegrating or is it the actual plastic lens deteriorating.
Has anyone any experience of this and if so, we’re they able to remedy it?

[Familyman 90]

Its an issue within the polycarbonate caused during inconsistencies in the manufacturing process, and over time these micro fractures appear within the material. Unusually, polycarbonate has to be annealed like some metals and it is very difficult and time consuming to do consistently.

Very fine wet and dry and a good polish may improve things but it's unlikley that you'll ever remove it entitely as the faults are within the material itself.

[Ian21401]

Thank you for your explanation which confirms my initial thoughts that the minute “cracks” appeared to be within the material rather than within an outer protective coating. As the lenses are currently still clear and the lights are currently passing the MOT ( next one due this month) and there is little that I can do to attempt to remedy this and any attempt may actually make it worse I will just leave them as they are.
Thanks again.

[Ian21401]

Has anyone actually done this.
XC70 2010/11 D5.
The headlamp lenses do appear to be suffering from micro fractures which are gradually becoming worse.
Enquiries with my local main dealer based on the car’s VIN indicate that replacement units are available at a cost of £950.00 each, including VAT.
They are obviously not supplied with bulbs but the dealer has also advised that on each unit there are two items which need to be transferred from the old unit to the new one, namely:
a Control unit and a Ballast ( or Power unit ) apparently by simply unscrewing from the old unit and screwing onto the new unit.
Has anyone ever done this and can advise accordingly please?

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

Has anyone actually done this.
XC70 2010/11 D5.
The headlamp lenses do appear to be suffering from micro fractures which are gradually becoming worse.
Enquiries with my local main dealer based on the car’s VIN indicate that replacement units are available at a cost of £950.00 each, including VAT.
They are obviously not supplied with bulbs but the dealer has also advised that on each unit there are two items which need to be transferred from the old unit to the new one, namely:
a Control unit and a Ballast ( or Power unit ) apparently by simply unscrewing from the old unit and screwing onto the new unit.
Has anyone ever done this and can advise accordingly please?

I am in the same boat with my 2012 90. I also have a 2016 other vehicle which has it in a v.minor way.

Chatting to work colleagues it would appear that cutting compound will bring back to clear. If you have cracks in the lens then clearly it won’t remove that. However you should be able to
Improve.

I shall be looking into it and happy to show you what progress I get.

[Whyman]

I have this on my XC60 but only a small area of the top edge.

I noticed today that Aldi has a Headlight restoration kit on their website for £5.99.

[Ian21401]

At first we considered the various remedies but the lenses are definitely microfractured so none of the remedies would work. The fractures are gradually becoming worse so we need to bite the bullet and replace the lights.
We were aware that they are expensive and were prepared for that. What concerns me is the transfer of those Control and Ballast units and what problems may arise.

[Simmy]

try doing a search for replacement lenses these type of head light can be seperated and new lenses fitted. i know some one who has just replaced some on an xc 90 ithink they were from aliexpress try doing a quick search an save some cash.

[Ian21401]

Thanks, but I don’t think that replacing the lens is an option as it is glued on and would require heat and some dexterity and a lot of patience to remove the old lens then glue the new lens on, with no guarantee of a satisfactory result.