430 Scuderia Headlight Hazing - Recommendations

Good day,
As most 430 owners, I have the headlight hazing, spidering, etc etc going on in my headlights. I've looked at a bunch of threads and seen some DIY techniques. Being that i'm not that familiar with disassembly, I was wanting to know if anyone knew of a shop in south Florida that did this type of work i.e. cleaning and resealing without having to buy new OEM lights.

I appreciate any and all suggestions.
Thanks
Ruben

 

For small sections, I've tried toothpaste and it does the job. The regular classic white coloured Colgate works well.

I've tried the Mother's headlight restoration kit and plastic polish with the ball you attach to a drill and that works as well for mild hazing

 

I think the OP has an issue inside the headlight.
Alan

 

Yes inside is the issue. Outside it has no problem. Just don't want to disassemble and then have big problem in my hands putting back together.

 

Outside: DA with polish then Wax, looks brand new. (I know, not the issue)

Inside:
.a. Replace ($$)
.b. Disassemble clean/polish reassemble (labor, heat, and delicate. Have not done personally. Have read a few DIYs here on 360s, but not 430s)
.c. Magnetic Polisher ([fellow FChatters idea] put a magnet on a string, insert into a soft bag made of a polish like material. Insert bad in headlight where bulb goes. Put another magnet on the outside of the headlight, also in a bag. Then move around the outside magnet, pulling the inside one along with it).

Maybe I will do a DIY with video on this one when I get round-2-it.

 

Trent
Thanks for the advice. Was trying to find out rather if there were any specialty shops that did this type of work. I had one quote me $1100 per headlight.
Last thing I want to do is disassemble and mess things up.

 

I have the same problem on my scud as well, I have been driving it with the lights on when ever I take it out, day and night, It helps.
Still looking for another way get rid of it without having to buy new ones or having somebody messing them up, specially since mine are the carbon fiber option. going thru the lightbulb might be a way

 

Daries - I think you may be right. Worst case scenario, I have my mechanic re-assemble for me.

On another note - so my scud is up for service and called both local Ferrari dealerships today. I'm more loyal to one, but they are both basically quoting me $1,500-$1,800 for annual service. Includes oil, brake fluid flush, inspection, etc. Is it me, or is this totally overpriced? Everyone tells me to have it done at Ferrari so that service history is created. I've had the car for about 6 months, and just wanted to get some thoughts. My mechanic can do all of the above and highly recommend by fellow fchaters.
Thanks
Ruben

 

since I see that you are in Miami, give the guys at ANSA Motorsports a call, they are race shop which specially deals with ferrari, they are the ones who take care of my cars (786) 344-6598 ask for Alain Nadal tell its me, Didier who gave you his number. Also a very cool shop with a lot of amazing cars

 

That's genius!!
Did it work effectively for the guy who had the idea?
My headlights are perfect now, but I always like to learn new car maintenance tips.

 

Didier- certainly will call them. I appreciate it.
Chris - did you have this problem and if so how did you resolve?

 

I'm looking at scuds and this problem concerns me. Is there any theory as to why it happens on the scud and not the standard 430?

And does anything help keep the problems away (as someone mentioned here, keep the lights on)?

What about washing the car, should you keep water away from the lights or is that not a concern?

Just curious as to theories on how this happens and how to prevent it.

 

That is what I use to clean the inside of the glass on my reef aquarium. Aquarium shops sell them and you can get them quite small but maybe no small enough for the small areas inside the headlight. However the principal is the same. Just get some rare earth magnets that will be strong enough to exert enough pressure to clean. Make sure though that the magnets are well wrapped (both magnets) such that they cannot come in contact with the plastic as you will end up with a worse situation than you started with.
Alan

 

Sounds good on paper, but I have my doubts about the reality. First, they would need to be really strong magnets to actually polish the inside surface. Second, it would be nearly impossible to get into the corners of the light with the magnet. Third, it could be a challenge to clean off the polishing compound from the inside of the light once the polishing was done. That said, if anyone wants to try this, I'd be eager to hear how it goes!

 

Well, I have a 430 as well and I never had that problem, only have it with the Scuderia and I really do not understand why. So far the only thing I have been doing, is driving it very often with the lights on and it has helped a lot but hasn't solved it.

washing the car is not a concern and the not the cause of the problem and I really do not understand why it happens only with the scuds, anyway from my experience.
don't think you can prevent that problem.

I guess is just one of those ferrari things, like those AC vents and buttons that get all sticky, hate that.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/413654-430-headlight-cleaning-inside.html

 

^^^Interesting thread, although it more described wiping off the inside surface of the light as opposed to polishing it. Suppose it would work if you only need to wipe away dust as stated by the OP in the thread.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/378220-360-open-light-surgery.html

Sticky in 360 DIY/technical index #24 onwards.......I used detail spray on one side of the bag and kept the other side dry. That cleaned off some pretty bad staining and it showed on my car as it is Silver.

M

 

True Dave, true. By virtue of the fact the inside of the lens is, well, inside, it shouldn't need more than a wipe down since it has no exposure to the elements. I found that I got better at this on the second light, so practice counts for something. Getting in the corners is a bit of a challenge, but doable.

 

So I have finally found a solution to the hazing and spidering that occurs on scud headlights. And it was totally by accident. I had taken my 09 scud to get a small scratch buffed out at Luc's place in Davie, Fl. As we started discussing, I showed him the headlights. He said we need to replace or remove and disassemble. I told him I wasn't crazy about that idea, but I did mention that fellow fchat members said to drive with headlights on and that improves. So he decided to use a heat gun and gently started to warm up the plastic headlight covers. And wallaaaa! The spiderig and hazing goes away. Being that it takes time to do this and it was Friday at 5 pm, he needed to go. But he did about half the headlight and it started to disappear completely. I am going back this week to get it finished.

I hope this helps out everyone as this was my experience and very happy we found a solution without having to do or replace anything.
Best of luck and if any questions, let me know.

 

Ice

See if you can take some before and after pics.
Thx

 

I certainly will. I should have done that on the small areas - say 4 x 4 that he did. The trick is to be careful not to allow a ton of heat that will bend the plastic of the headlight.
surely will post before and after pics.

 

Encouraging! I wonder if this has anything to do with CF and the epoxy emitting gasses that react with the light cover or something like that over time.

 

more than likely but the area he worked, within 30-45 seconds started to clear up completely.
pretty amazing

 

This is great news. Also +1 on before and after shots.

...but; why not just drive with your headlights on? I do 100% of the time on ALL vehicles. This is because studies show you are less likely to get in an accident if your headlights are on. Seems obvious, but they did studies anyway. I think my 430 looks awesome with the lights on.