Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

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MisterH
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Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

Post by MisterH » Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:48 pm

I don't want to be that guy who asks for replacement rear lights, so I'll have a crack at repairing one first. on my car, the passenger side rear light is fine, not perfect, but nothing a waxing session can't handle, but the drivers side, while still clear, has a massive crack in it:
Image

can this be fixed? it would be a shame to fork out loads for a decent replacement when the light itself is pretty good perishing-wise
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

jifflemon
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Re: Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

Post by jifflemon » Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:31 pm

You know about this?

Polishing the lense may be enough - depends how deep the crack is though. Captain Tolleys "Creeping crack cure" has been suggested previously too...

New lenses (once they're in production) will be the best solution

Alan 480
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Re: Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

Post by Alan 480 » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:03 pm

MisterH wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:48 pm
I don't want to be that guy who asks for replacement rear lights, so I'll have a crack at repairing one first. on my car, the passenger side rear light is fine, not perfect, but nothing a waxing session can't handle, but the drivers side, while still clear, has a massive crack in it:
Image

can this be fixed? it would be a shame to fork out loads for a decent replacement when the light itself is pretty good perishing-wise
is this a horizontal crack either side of reflective section? looks bowed OUT across the middle?

if yes you could try a very gentle tickle with a dremmel tool then apply some 'araldite' or similar two pack epoxy, but not this week as it needs to be nice an warm to get a 'good cure' unless you can arrange to have the back end kept 'toasty' for a few hours. once it has fully cured you can carefully use a scalpel to reduce to the original level, then polish as you see fit

all depends of course how 'original' you want it to be, or just to keep water out/light intact and save a 'small'? fortune on second hand light clusters cos removal of the cluster WILL break it:-)
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

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MisterH
480 Is my middle name
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Location: Stockbridge

Re: Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

Post by MisterH » Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:20 pm

jifflemon wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:31 pm
You know about this?

Polishing the lense may be enough - depends how deep the crack is though. Captain Tolleys "Creeping crack cure" has been suggested previously

New lenses (once they're in production) will be the best solution
Alan 480 wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:03 pm
[quote=MisterH post_id=219291 time=<a href="tel:1579456099">1579456099</a> user_id=21363]
I don't want to be that guy who asks for replacement rear lights, so I'll have a crack at repairing one first. on my car, the passenger side rear light is fine, not perfect, but nothing a waxing session can't handle, but the drivers side, while still clear, has a massive crack in it:
Image

can this be fixed? it would be a shame to fork out loads for a decent replacement when the light itself is pretty good perishing-wise

[\quote]

is this a horizontal crack either side of reflective section? looks bowed OUT across the middle?

if yes you could try a very gentle tickle with a dremmel tool then apply some 'araldite' or similar two pack epoxy, but not this week as it needs to be nice an warm to get a 'good cure' unless you can arrange to have the back end kept 'toasty' for a few hours. once it has fully cured you can carefully use a scalpel to reduce to the original level, then polish as you see fit

all depends of course how 'original' you want it to be, or just to keep water out/light intact and save a 'small'? fortune on second hand light clusters cos removal of the cluster WILL break it:-)

Yes, it is a deep crack that allows water in, that has curved out, I would rather repair it and keep the originality than get a new one, are there any estimations of the price?
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Alan 480
480 Is my middle name
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:03 am
Location: Aberdeen

Re: Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

Post by Alan 480 » Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:43 pm

MisterH wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:20 pm
Yes, it is a deep crack that allows water in, that has curved out, I would rather repair it and keep the originality than get a new one, are there any estimations of the price?
repair price or 'second hand / half decent unit'

repair is cost of araldite, but strange the root cause of the bow would need to be fixed first???
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

User avatar
MisterH
480 Is my middle name
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Location: Stockbridge

Re: Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

Post by MisterH » Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:55 pm

Alan 480 wrote:
Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:43 pm
MisterH wrote:
Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:20 pm
Yes, it is a deep crack that allows water in, that has curved out, I would rather repair it and keep the originality than get a new one, are there any estimations of the price?
repair price or 'second hand / half decent unit'

repair is cost of araldite, but strange the root cause of the bow would need to be fixed first???
I'll get a close up picture when I can, but it has split and is curving out, just worried that it I try and compress it it'll go more
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

Norm57
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Re: Does anyone know how to repair cracked rear light lenses?

Post by Norm57 » Mon Jan 20, 2020 1:29 pm

Might be worthwhile just clear taping it for now until Sylvia’s European connection produce the new lenses.

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