When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The headlights on my 2010 GS are startling to look terrible, I’m debating what kind of UV coating I’m going to put on them after I polish them.
I would put PPF on them and maybe that would stop the yellowing from coming back. I get them done on all of my cars but have never had them long enough to see if it made any difference in yellowing, it was more for protection from pitting. I can’t see it costing much either, $50-$100.
I remember the MKIV Supra had glass headlights in Europe but plastic ones in the US. Not sure why but I liked the 97-98 plastic headlights better than the glass so I upgraded mine to those instead of the glass ones.
It's a lot more solid to knock on a glass headlight... just kinda oozes the tank-ness nature of the car.
Plastic acrylic is more durable than glass, so a glass head light housing would have to be far heavier and far thicker…so glass would be less transparent. Plus, designs of headlights, wouldn’t be as sleek or aerodynamic compared to glass headlights. so designs would be less boring. I remember explaining all this to Steve once @SW17LS
Plastic acrylic is more durable than glass, so a glass head light housing would have to be far heavier and far thicker…so glass would be less transparent. Plus, designs of headlights, wouldn’t be as sleek or aerodynamic compared to glass headlights. so designs would be less boring. I remember explaining all this to Steve once @SW17LS
you ever been to venice? they do some very intricate glasswork there lol
it's also just been so long since any car has used glass headlights, i'd be very surprised if manufacturing of glass hasn't advanced in the last 3 decades... just look at the carbon construction of the mclaren F1 vs P1, which are 20 years apart
i'd imagine cost is the main factor more so than weight and design limitations... laminated glass is plenty strong and shatterproof, there's gotta be a reason we don't have plastic windshields yet lol
Plastic acrylic is more durable than glass, so a glass head light housing would have to be far heavier and far thicker…so glass would be less transparent. Plus, designs of headlights, wouldn’t be as sleek or aerodynamic compared to glass headlights. so designs would be less boring. I remember explaining all this to Steve once @SW17LS
apparently not durable enough to stand up to the suns UV rays………..
you ever been to venice? they do some very intricate glasswork there lol
it's also just been so long since any car has used glass headlights, i'd be very surprised if manufacturing of glass hasn't advanced in the last 3 decades... just look at the carbon construction of the mclaren F1 vs P1, which are 20 years apart
i'd imagine cost is the main factor more so than weight and design limitations... laminated glass is plenty strong and shatterproof, there's gotta be a reason we don't have plastic windshields yet lol
glass would 100% be more expensive to manufacture. The amount of extreme heat needed to make it. Glass has a far higher carbon footprint so regulations are against it. Manufacturing glass requires cooling where plastic does not. Then the shipping cost of weight as well as the handling costs because of glass inherently being more fragile.
as for plastic vs glass windshields. That’s a good question
glass would 100% be more expensive to manufacture. The amount of extreme heat needed to make it. Glass has a far higher carbon footprint so regulations are against it. Manufacturing glass requires cooling where plastic does not. Then the shipping cost of weight as well as the handling costs because of glass inherently being more fragile.
Glass headlight covers, though, don't cloud up and craze over time like plastic. They usually stay nice and clear.
as for plastic vs glass windshields. That’s a good question
Plastic windshields would probably scratch too easily. Over time, even many glass windshields often get very fine hairline scratches in an arc pattern where the wipers travel. It is very difficult to prevent even if you keep the windshield and wiper blades meticulously clean.
8.1 seconds 0-60 for the S320 is more than adequate. I rode in one once and remember being pretty impressed how quick the six cylinder one was. Dad let her rip from a light.
Almost nothing is more UV resistant than glass. It is possible to make acrylic that doesn't yellow it's just much more expensive. I have a set of headlight covers made in the late 80's they are still clear.
having available HID lights must also have something to do with it, i don't think there's ever been a car that had HID D2R or D2S bulbs with glass lens housings (talking about OEM, i'm sure there's an aftermarket one out there somewhere that does)
Multiple MB models had HIDs and glass housings, W140s for example, R129 SLs...
02-07-24, 03:27 PM
@SW17LS
