UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

So as some of you may know, our SVXs came with a UV coating on the headlights and grille which prevent them from yellowing. Once this coating wears off whether from peeling, or from being "sand blasted" away by highway driving, the headlamps begin to yellow. Today I noticed that mine is starting to delaminate at the very top center of the grille. I can't stand the thought of having yellow headlights and am wondering if anybody has any input on how to stop this process from getting worse. Perhaps the only option is to buy new headlamp and grille units?

http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/h...psa261e0ef.jpg

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

If you want the perfect look I'm sure you do, I think it's something that has to be stopped before it starts, by covering it with LaminX or something similar. Because once it starts peeling away, it's probably too late to stop it.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

Mike,

Check this thread by Crazy_pilot. He found a company which professionally restored his headlights. Took them completely apart installed new projector lenses etc. Polished the outside of the lens completely and applied the Lamin-X film.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...red+headlights


The website to the company is HERE



Cheaper than buying new lenses. I am not sure how the Lamin-X would work on covering the contours of the grille. That may be strictly a replacement issue on the grille.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

For Laminix a heat gun would be necessary to get it to mold nicely to the contours of the grill, but otherwise should not be a problem. It will be a little more pricey to get a piece long enough to cover it though.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

Hey Mike,

Since Will did my headlights they haven't yellowed at all, they're still just as clear as my JDM corners. I polished the grille at the same time I installed the headlights and it's yellowed badly since then, so obviously Will's clear coat and the Lamin-X are doing their job well.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

I'm in the car business and actually have two local "headlight" guys that come around who do fantastic work. I just didn't want to go down that route since my headlights and grille are otherwise "like new." I had the headlights refinished professionally by one of the local guys on an A6 that I used to own, and they stayed like new for the remainder of the time I had the car.

https://sphotos-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/h...45816806_n.jpg

Another consideration is that if I recall, new headlights aren't THAT expensive from Subaru. This set is not anywhere close to being unusable, however I figure I may buy a set to keep around for when these no longer become tolerable. Another option would be to have a set of used headlights refinished that are already in otherwise poor condition. I'm just brainstorming, I guess.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

They are not too expensive. I have a new set still in boxes (as well as the waterfall grill) just in case. They were about $675.00 a pair, and are getting harder to get.

Even new sets have the problem of the projector lens chipping around the edges of the housing and causing white glass dust to accumulate inside the housing.

I may send my current "perfect" set to prolightz and have them disassemble them, install a new set of projectorlenses in a bead of clear RTV to cushion them, and get rid of the residual glass powder.

.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

'97 grille and glass headlights.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...pse3803db4.jpg
Though you're still stuck with the corners, I don't think you will rack up enough miles to mess them up.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

.


A matter of personal taste. Some like the "smiling waterfall look" and some prefer the "catfish waiting for a hook" look. :lol:

Same with wheels and spoilers.

I've had them both, back in 2001.
Waterfall won.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/svxcess/261.jpg

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/svxcess/2995.jpg

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

I keep one around in case I get an itch. I prefer chrome though.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

Vehicle wrap laminate might make a great flexible laminX alternative.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

On the cheaper end of things I restored my headlights using the BG headlight restore kit. Comes with some sand papers, wet sanding magic fluid, cleaner, and an epoxy type over coat. Makes the headlight look brand new, but doesn't always last. Used to do the job on my father's ford focus which has huge headlights and after three years the epoxy coat would start to flake at the edges and I'd simply do the job over again. I recently got a headlight out of a junk yard that had been badly yellowed. It's the drivers side and I'd been having trouble finding a non broken one, so I took what I could get. Didn't get a before pic, but after it looks like this.. Don't mind the carbon fibber wrap.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...psa50e7cc6.jpg

Because of how the grille is made, it will work there too. Not the most correct fix, but the best value.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

Don't panic... even if it yellows, you can generally still bring it back.

The funny coincidence is that I was restoring one just yesterday. I did just half and took photos.

So here's the evidence:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/atta...1&d=1377756982


Thankfully, here in Aus we have glass headlight lenses, so no yellow.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

So what country has glass & LH drive - why not buy that option of headlight ?

It may mean pulling apart to fit to the USA style lights

- here in NZ we have different type of lights (H3 Vs 9000series) etc. we also drive on RHS so that option is out.

Re: UV Coating beginning to delaminate from front grille and headlamps. Solution?
 

GERMANY.
.