430 Scuderia Headlight Hazing - Recommendations

I had one of my headlights cleaned and polished on the inside by Premier in So Cal. 2.5 years later, it still looks great. I think they charged around $800 or $900 or though. They were kinda slow, about 3 or 4 week turn around. But they disassemble the headlight and do a very thorough job. I had another headlight done by a different shop in So Ca (can't remember the name at the moment), they were faster (and cheaper, maybe $700), but did not remove all the spider webbing. They said the only way to do that is by removal of the UV coating on the inside of the lens, which they refused to do. Whatever...2 years later and it looks even worse now...will need to send it to Premier and get it done right.

 

I don't know if that's true. Are you speaking from experience or speculating? Others here have replaced their lights and, to my knowledge, the spidering didn't come back. Also, there are some folks out there with headlights that never suffered from the spidering in the first place.

I wish I knew what caused this problem. People have speculated that it's outgassing of chemicals from the carbon fiber, but no one has any proof of this. What's curious is that some people have this problem while others don't. Could be different manufacturing lots, or could be something to do with how the car is used/stored.

 

I've seen at least 10 or 11 Scuds up close, and every one with CF headlights had the problem, and every 2008 without CF headlights did not have the problem

 

Experience. But maybe something has changed. Probably the best way is to have them repaired.


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What does that mean? If you have information, it would be nice for you to share it with the group.

Do you personally know of anyone who purchased new scud headlights that have ended up spidering?

 

Yes, me. First set spidering. 3 years ago purchased another set to the tune of about $5k if I remember right. Same issue.

Not going to buy headlights again. That’s for sure.


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Well that's disappointing.

 

My scud is an 08’ with the US CF package. No spidering or a haze on the headlights. No yellowing of the CF pieces in the engine compartment either (I know a lot of people who had that problem as well)

 

+1
09 16M - no spidering or yellow carbon.

 

I have a late '09 scud with CF. The car was originally sold in N. California, and headlights were replaced under warranty. That pair was fine until about 1 year after I brought it to FL, and they began to spider. I think it has something to do with the CF off gassing; I've never heard of a regular 430 having the problem. I called a shop a while back that repaired them, and it was about $2k to repair. I don't remember who it was as I lost interest at that price point. And, I wasn't confident the repair would fair any different than the originals. My engine CF is slightly milky as well....

Subscribed to see if someone can figure out a permanent solution....

 

I had my scud headlights cleaned out little over 2 years ago by a local body shop. They opened up the lens and polished out the inside. The headlights looked like new for awhile but the webbing has started to come back slightly. It looks like small fibers clinging to the inside of the lens, possibly from the CF material. Maybe clearcoating the CF would make for a permanent solution.

 

hair dryer works the best

 

Subscribed to this as I have a Scud as well with this issue. Seems like every scud has the issue so does it actually devalue the car?

Anybody have any information on the following from vivid racing.
https://www.vividracing.com/rtuned-carbon-fiber-headlight-housing-ferrari-f430-0409-p-150938547.html

Doesn’t appear to have the plastic lens covers, so don’t think it helps us scud guys.

 

I took a closer look at my headlight that was cleaned about 2.5 years ago by Premier Motorsports Inc and sure enough...if I look up close, I can faintly see little traces of the fibers coming back. Standing three feet away, still looks fine. Maybe at the 6 year point it may need to be redone, but still fine now. I agree that applying some sort of flat or matte finish clear over the CF maybe the permanent solution. I recall speaking with the owner at Premier and he said it would eventually come back

 

My 2 cents having tried the heat gun on my 09.... it helps, but the spidering is still there. It just doesn't catch the light in the same way. Seems as if you are melting the residue/inner lining a bit, and my guess is that smoothes it out and makes the 'spidering' pattern less noticeable.... not really 'clear' but improved maybe 50% IMO. Premier doesn't seem to be returning calls. There was a guy in SoCal who would disassemble by heating the unit in an oven to loosen the lens, and then polish the inside; he moved back to Europe. I'm looking into replacement.

 

Amazing development here: Founders Replacement Headlight Group Buy | FerrariChat

 

Seems like a leap of faith to spend thousands on a product no one has tested or put hands on.

 

That's what Amex Platinum is for...any issues and they just refund your money. Never had one issue.

 

It’s important to note that while founders is a new company, the guy that started it has been in the lighting business for over 20 years and lots of us are running parts from the previous brand he started with no issues.

 

Thats terrific for you. Not sure about all the other buyers.

 

Just giving advice. Most credit card companies will do the same. Amex Plat is just the best as they will take your word for it with proper documentation and immediately refund the money while doing any investigation. If the vendor only accepted say venmo or paypal, then it would be a red flag and carry more risk.