Can Snowflake Cracks in Car Headlights Be Repaired?

[JamesonLynn]

Yes, they can be repaired, but you need to go to a 4S shop for replacement. Here are the relevant details: 1. Detail one: When the headlight cover is broken, you should promptly go to a repair shop or 4S shop for replacement. If the taillight has minor cracks, restoration can be considered—just use glass glue for repair. 2. Detail two: Most 4S shops won't allow customers to replace just the lampshade; the entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced. Not to mention the high labor costs of the repair personnel, the material costs alone are quite expensive. Therefore, it's best to go to a repair shop to replace just the lampshade. For users with strong DIY skills, they can also purchase a lampshade and replace it themselves.

[DelKhloe]

As a repair technician, I've seen many cases of headlights developing snowflake patterns. These cracks usually appear on the plastic housing of the headlights and are primarily caused by UV aging. If the cracks are relatively shallow and haven't penetrated the entire lens, they can be repaired. The repair method typically involves sanding off the aged surface layer of the cracks with sandpaper, cleaning thoroughly, and finally spraying on a specialized UV protective coating. However, if the cracks are too deep, especially if they've already penetrated the housing, the repair may likely compromise the lens's sealing. This can lead to moisture ingress during rainy weather. Additionally, the repaired lens will have reduced strength, and high-speed driving with significant wind resistance might cause the cracks to expand. Therefore, my recommendation is that if the cracks are deeper than 1 millimeter or already affect the sealing effectiveness, it's more reliable to replace the entire headlight assembly.

[StAnnie]

My old car had this issue before, with the headlight surface covered in spiderweb-like fine cracks. I tried fixing it myself with a repair kit bought online—the process was quite simple: first sand the surface, then spray on two coats of repair fluid, and finally dry it. After the repair, it looked much better, and the brightness of the lights improved significantly. However, I noticed the effect didn’t last long; the cracks reappeared after six months. A mechanic friend told me that once the plastic lens ages, the material becomes brittle, and even if the surface is repaired, the internal structure remains unstable. Lenses that have experienced collisions or extreme temperature changes are especially prone to recurring cracks. My experience now is: minor cracks can be temporarily fixed to pass inspections, but for a permanent solution, spending a bit more to replace them with genuine new headlight assemblies is the most reliable option.

[McJade]

I've repaired cracked headlights many times. When there are surface frost cracks, we use professional equipment to polish away the damaged outer layer. If the cracks haven't penetrated the lens, the repair can basically restore the brightness. However, some cracks are located at the corners of the headlights where it's difficult to polish thoroughly, so the repair results aren't ideal. Some headlight materials are severely aged and become brittle, crumbling with slight polishing - in such cases, I recommend direct replacement. After repair, it's crucial to reapply the UV coating, otherwise ultraviolet rays will quickly damage the plastic surface again. Also, avoid using high-pressure water jets directly on repaired lenses during car washes as this can easily cause secondary damage.