is there a source for a replacement lens only for the xenon units? my pass side light is starting to get a bit past it.. ive tried some of those restoration kits with limited success , the driver side was replaced by PO and looks new... this is just bugging me , but not enough to cough up 500 for a new unit. maybe a pro detailer has some other tool in his box that works out better?

 

Hey Domer...

I have an 05 Super V8 also! LOVE it so much. I restored the headlights with the Sylvania kit that I got from Amazon and I'm very pleased with the result ( ) This kit has a poly coating that you put on at the end that makes all the difference. You will never match a new headlight but I think you can get them close enough to forget about it.

Best Regards
Jeff

 

Get the 3M kit took me 1 hour and NEW lights. It is the BEST kit out there and is $20.

 

wow … that's beautiful. where is the 3M lit available? will try the wetsanding route too. now I have hope! I need to do the lenses on my wifes 05 c240 as well

 

yes, this car is one to hold on to. nearly 90k new (not to me)... all the bells and whistles you can possibly get from the Jaguar dealer back then. I hope to have "QQ" plates on her some day. there definitely aren't many around from what I can tell

 

Hi Domer,

Well worth keeping hold of that. It looks like a lovely car.

Thanks,

Chris

 

Here it is. Walmart has it too. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MMM3...YaAuBBEALw_wcB

 

Any suggestions for slight INTERIOR Lens issue? I sincerely doubt I can clean them through the bulb opening, or the tiny Parking light bulb opening, so I am thinking that leaves heating them and separating the lens from the reflector, then trying to reseal - Seems very risky, with a a major chance of failure, or a sealing issue. Any ideas? I also am not at the point of spending $700 + per replacement or replacing just the one side that's affected would make them look mismatched.

 

[i put my procedure on here somewhere. this was the result

After


Before


QUOTE=domer94;2056770]is there a source for a replacement lens only for the xenon units? my pass side light is starting to get a bit past it.. ive tried some of those restoration kits with limited success , the driver side was replaced by PO and looks new... this is just bugging me , but not enough to cough up 500 for a new unit. maybe a pro detailer has some other tool in his box that works out better?[/QUOTE]

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I Have an XK, not XJ, and the huge headlights on these cars really bake in the sun.
The top of the lights on my 2010 KX were noticeably bubbling and yellowing. The chemicals in this kit worked wonders to restore them. Some ‘glitter’ remains from UV damage deep in the lens, but the overall effect is terrific:

 

I have condensation on inside of what looks to plastic lens cover( or would it be headlight unit itself?) How to dry it? Bush inserted thru bulb hole in rear or...... how?

 

I have condensation on inside of what looks to plastic lens cover( or would it be headlight unit itself?) How to dry it? Bush inserted thru bulb hole in rear or...... is there better alternative ?

 

It might take some more time and effort, but I recommend applying clear coat after wet sanding to preserve the finish.

The lenses on our Lexus GX470 were pretty crazed so I restored them as best I could--there is some deep cracking in the plastic from the heat and UV damage.

I wet sanded 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, and then 3000 grits. Overkill, but it didn't add much time overall. I later went back and wet sanded again with 1500 grit so I could apply some 2 component (2K) clear coat from a rattle can for better UV protection. I then wet sanded the orange peel off, followed by cut and polishing. Still looks the same after a year in the California sun.



This is before.


This is after wet sanding from 800 to 3000 grit, but before 2K clear coat


Later I re-sanded to 1500 grit to provide some tooth for the clear coat.


This is after clear coat. It had not fully cured at this point, so I had not wet sanded, cut and polished yet. Orange peel is visible.



This is a year later after it was fully complete. There hasn't been a detectable decline.

I am very pleased with the long term results. I will soon do the same to my XJ8, when I have some time.