Many new cars utilize Window's or Lens Covers to protect the internal headlight and taillight lamps  and reflector components.  These Lens Covers are the part that receives the exposure to road debri and usually are the component that degrades if the automobile is parked for extended periods exposed to the weather such as rain, sun and acid weather (smog).  These lens covers, when purchased, can result in a cost of several hundred dollars each, depending on the specific car.

The Lens Covers are fabricated from a Lucite plastic material and the outside surface becomes damaged by pitting, micro-cracking and scratches which is indicated by a foggy appearance when viewing through to the inside lamps.  Although the visible damage during non-use is noticeable, at night when the lamps are turned "ON" the exiting light is scattered/dispersed and operationally less effective than when the cover is clear.

Pre-Restoration Headlight

An example of a damaged Cover Lens is seen in the pictures to the right.  The two Lens Covers have been exposed to the "elements" for several years as the car is not garaged.  The bottom picture illustrates the (non-directional) light scatter of the light exiting the Lens Cover.

The ultimate scattered light ruins the directional designed character of high and low beam performance and less light reduces the illumination for the driver to "SEE" the area in front of the car where the vehicle is moving.  The final light reduction is less noticeable at night in good weather conditions, but, when raining or foggy, less illumination results ahead on the road.  The scattered light reduces the directional illumination.

Post-Restoration Headlight

Post-Restoration views of the same headlight Lens Covers as viewed above are shown in the adjacent pictures.

Viewing the lamps internal to the headlight assembly are much more clear and visible.  The filament area of the large headlight was very obscured before restoration and is now clearly visible after restoration.

Also, when one of the internal lamps is turned ON the light is clearly visible and directional.

This restoration effort needs to be revisited every several months to maintain the restored Lens Cover condition.  The revisit is minor and performed quickly.  Also, if the car is now garaged this revisit may be longer.

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