GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Has anybody noticed how pitted and chipped their headlight lens are..is this normal or is there a fix in the works?

Mine aren't pitted or cracked, but they are discolored.Noticed this when I got a new lens, you can tell the difference:

Try some Meguairs plastic polish or any comparable product and it will look as good as new.

yea mine are pitted real bad and I don't know why.

There is some sort of TSB out about Polycarbonate Headlamp Damage Prevention...TSB#0208420014...hmmmmmmmm

Can anyone bring this up and tell us what the TSB says?

Hi...I can't imagine GM would replace the headlights just because of that kind of damage unless that damage was on there when you got the vehicle. I think the material most headlight covers are made from is not 100% safe from road debris kicked up by other vehicles. Most headlight covers are the same except the round or rectagular ones made from glass. There are shields available which, I believe, suction cup onto the lense to help protect the cover itself. Most accessory stores should cary something to protect em.Dave

After 14 months and 21K miles, mine look good as new if I wash off the bug guts. Mild climate, I park in a garage, and apparently haven't yet driven through a sandstorm or in heavy traffic on a sandy road. If you're in Canada, it isn't the heat. Maybe quit using the sandblaster to remove the ice. Polycarbonate could also have surface problems if the mold was too cold (molded-in stress) or if the plastic resin wasn't dry before molding (yellow/degraded).

Also, it's been said that certain chemicals, waxes, soaps, etc. can cause discolouration or degrade the plastic surface. As for pitting, that I can't explain...but there are plastic sheets you can buy that adhere to the surface and act as a "skin" to protect it...

Yes-- A lot of chemicals that they pre spray before your car goes into an automatic wash have been known to be real hard on plastic.During the winter months --I am forced to use the car wash---and guess what --I have noticed my headlight lenses are JUST starting to get dull and I hope they do not turn foggy. But I have a feeling........................ James (Vibe)

Quote, originally posted by Pump233ca »There is some sort of TSB out about Polycarbonate Headlamp Damage Prevention...TSB#0208420014...hmmmmmmmm where? I looked up this TSB number and there wasn't any such number. where did you get it and what does it say?

Got it from alldata.com

I have the pitting too on my 2003 Vibe. The TSB number is correct except for the last digit. It is an A not a 4

and the prevention is?

Don't follow too closely. Second thing that went through my head when looking at the pics was 'did they put high intensity headlights in it'....

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Also, Jeff Strausser was not certain if that plastic protection was causing the lenses to crack also and owners had that film on the headlights. Might of had something to do with getting too hot and the heat could not disapate. He had a couple cases of that he stated about at the MI Meet. Nick should look into it more and find out, because I was wondering about the Invisiguard product about 8 months ago that you can purchase from http://www.weathertech.com .I partially remember this convo from the Mich meet during the summer and remember one of the reasons was due to the chemicals they use at the car wash facilities being too harsh for the plastic. If this applies to you or not, all depends - could be another reason as well as silver stated.I'll have it checked into.

Quote, originally posted by engine1 » Try some Meguairs plastic polish or any comparable product and it will look as good as new.Really? I tried Mother's plastic polish and it didn't take anything off the plastic.

there is no prevention looking at the TSB only don't wax or use bug remover and various other things on the lenses so GM isn't liable. but mine isn't cracked or crazing these are small pits.Hmmmmm

your probably right, and when the lights are on and you look directly at the light you can hardly notice the pits in the lens.

I have always used the Meguiars, headlights, Motorcycle wind screen and helmet visor, fire dept. visors etc. I have not tried the Mothers as the Meguiars works so well. Try using the Meguiars plastic Cleaner before the polish and that will help for the tough scratches and smears!