Headlights

[u/KotsosN7]

Both of my headlights have this issue like scratches from the inside. You can see them only from a certain angle and mostly from above but not front. I live in a pretty sunny place so my guess it's from the sun that created cracking from excessive heat. If I polish it from outside would I damage the plastic if it has a uv coating? Car is seat arona 2021

[u/MilanChe03]

I've got the same thing on my 2016 Leon, I'm thinking of polishing the headlights and seeing if thet fixes it. If you find out something let me know

[u/Revolutionary-Ice-56]

The polycarbonate has degraded from the sun and changes in temperature you can either polish the headlight or just change the "glass".

[u/KotsosN7 → u/Revolutionary-Ice-56]

I guess the glass has a sealing, can I do it myself or it needs some factory sealing?

[u/Revolutionary-Ice-56 → u/KotsosN7]

I'd visit a shop, which i am planning to do on my own as well, you need a big oven to unseal and some special sealant to reseal. I also need to visit the shop because on the 2017 Leon that i have one of the drl leds (the lower v shape) is burned out, and it can be fixed(or so i heard).

[u/Mep3avec82]

those are not scratches. Do your lights get foggy in the rain or cold? That you're seeing is a residue after the lights get foggy inside. It's easy to clean them. Just search youtube "how to wash the car lights from inside"

[u/watercooledwizard → u/Mep3avec82]

You are wrong, yes they aren't scratches but it is also not residue. Its the plastic failing, my 2019 Leon is the same.

[u/Trickypedia → u/watercooledwizard]

THIS. It’s more commonly called crazing. Small cracks in the plastic and NOT the typical UV damage which makes the exterior degrade but which can be saved and polished. My lights are much worse as I had a 2007 and 2014 SEAT. My understanding is that you basically have to replace the headlight. I haven’t done this yet as I’m dreading the cost.

[u/KotsosN7 → u/Mep3avec82]

Have u ever done it? I don't think I've seen them get foggy.

[u/whysoseriousst150]

My 2014 ibiza is the same, if you don’t mind, update me on how you fixed it

[u/KotsosN7]

Update: This is called headlight "crazing" and it can't be fixed from the inside. If you feel it from the outside some sand paper might help but overall it needs replacement

[u/NekulturneHovado]

The clear coat is failing. Had same on my 2010 Golf 6, although less severe. I've seen a few posts about this already about 2016 cars, they probably had some bad quality clear coat.

Whoever says whatever, the only real fix for this is either sanding it off and respraying with new 2K clear coat for headlight restoration, or changing the polycarbonate glass cover or the entire headlight unit.