Does a scratched headlight need to be completely replaced?
3 Answers
Scratches on a headlight do not require a complete replacement. Below is an introduction to headlight-related content: 1. Halogen headlights: Halogen headlights are currently the most commonly used type of headlight source by major car manufacturers across various vehicle models. Due to their relatively low cost, they are very suitable for lower-priced economy vehicles. 2. Xenon headlights: Xenon lights use high-voltage current to stimulate light emission, resulting in a longer lifespan and better energy-saving effects compared to halogen lights. Additionally, their brightness is significantly improved by up to 300% compared to halogen lights. 3. LED headlights: LED headlights are increasingly entering people's field of vision. While LEDs may often be associated with stylish daytime running lights, this type of light source, with its many advantages, has become the choice for more and more automotive headlight illumination.
Last time I reversed into a lamppost and got noticeable scratches on the headlight cover, but it didn't actually need a full replacement. I specifically asked my friend at the repair shop - if only the surface clear coat is damaged, a simple polishing can make it almost invisible, costing just a few hundred yuan. However, if the painted material of the cover is scratched, it requires partial repainting. But if the crack exceeds half a coin's size or the mounting clips are broken, I'd recommend replacing the entire assembly, otherwise rainwater seepage could cause short circuits which would be more troublesome. Repair shops use light transmittance testers to confirm if the luminosity meets standards. From my experience: shallow scratches can be fixed, deep cracks must be replaced.
As an automotive repair professional, I recommend first assessing the scratch depth. Headlight covers are typically made of polycarbonate, and minor hairline scratches can be treated with polishing compound. However, pay attention to whether the internal reflector bowl is deformed: turn on the headlights to check the light pattern - dark spots or scattering indicate core damage. I've encountered many cases where minor surface scratches conceal broken mounting clips, causing headlight wobbling on rough roads. Plastic welding can repair cracks but may yellow; for safety, replace if cracks exceed 3cm or show spiderweb patterns. Here's a lesser-known fact: OEM headlight assemblies have manufacturer date codes, which aftermarket parts often lack.
