Headlight Restore

[cherub72]

Hi all,

Just got my car back from the body Shop after being repaired ( a wall dropped on it ). Now I have one brand new headlight that's lovely and clear and one that's all fuzzy and cloudy.

Has anyone used one of the headlight renovation kits? if so any you would recommend?

thanks

[Mav8]

I’ve used this doesn’t do a bad job.
https://www.meguiars.co.uk/shop/two-ste ... ration-kit

[cherub72]

Thanks, I'll give that a go now that I suddenly have a lot of time on my hands

[murph7355]

It'll depend on how they've gone fuzzy.

If it's on the outside, polishes may work.

But I think this normally happens on the inside.

One of mine went so bad it was an MOT failure point. New light units are very expensive and the places linked to on here doing repro cases were out of stock...so I bought a light unit from a lesser A4, dismantled it for the front lens and replaced the front lens on my RS4 unit. Job done.

Replacement light unit was £50. Bit of black silicone sealant a few quid. Then a few hours messing about (mostly as I'm an incompetent buffoon - so if I can do it, anyone can)

[Covkiller]

cherub72 FYI
You can buy a new OEM Magneti Marelli headlight from here, they're about £300ea. They don't list a B7 RS4 both Surrey Sam and I have both bought from here.

http://www.allpartsas.com

[mikep99]

I did what murph did above.
Picked up an A4 light for about £20 iirc. There's normally a few for sale on ebay with damaged lugs.
Although I had some sealant I didn't use it as there was sufficient existing sealant left on the RS4 case and A4 lens after removing.
Just heated them up with a heat gun to split and reassemble.
Been fine for a year or so now, no misting etc so seem to be air tight.
Quite a messy job due to the sealant but easy enough to do.

HTH
Mike

[maars]

https://www.vxtuning.com/product/replac ... a4-s4-rs4/
Out of stock right now.

Are there any other sources?

[cherub72]

So after a lot of sanding grinding and buffing the outsides of the headlights look amazing. Problem is, as suggested, that the hazing is on the inside. Going to look and see what the cheapest option for getting a new lens is and try to fit it without breaking anything important on the current ones. Off to YouTube to see if there is an instructional video

[murph7355]

https://www.vxtuning.com/product/replac ... a4-s4-rs4/
Out of stock right now.

Are there any other sources?

They were out of stock when mine went.

They may, of course, have had stock in the intervening period...who knows

[murph7355]

So after a lot of sanding grinding and buffing the outsides of the headlights look amazing. Problem is, as suggested, that the hazing is on the inside. Going to look and see what the cheapest option for getting a new lens is and try to fit it without breaking anything important on the current ones. Off to YouTube to see if there is an instructional video

I think there might be instructions on here.

It's dead easy if you take your time. Biggest ball ache is getting the bumper back on (easier with two people I should imagine).

(For "heat gun" I used OH's "hair dryer" ).

[cherub72]

Thanks for the hairdryer tip Murph, I remember getting a stupid expensive GHD one off the Christmas list of demands a couple of years ago so that will finally get some use. I've found a coupe of videos on how to remove the headlights without removing the bumper but I'm sure there will be an "except on the RS4" clause in there somewhere

[Covkiller]

You need to remove the bumper to remove your headlights.

[maars]

B7 head lamp change out without dropping the bumper
https://youtu.be/1qDWWM-fjQQ

[Owain55]

Depends what tools you have available but this could be useful
https://youtu.be/bzCgi5TgoMU

[docurley]

Try this for lenses way cheaper

#Aliexpress ￡22.32 9%OFF | For audi A4 B7 2006-2007 lens Front headlights headlights glass mask lamp cover transparent shell lamp masks Transparent shell
https://a.aliexpress.com/_dWsb8nL

Did mine a few weeks ago with a few upgrades