Friday, March 11, 2011

DIY: How to Fix Broken Light Lenses

While the previous article discussed about a lighter or a less problematic light lens situation, that of cloudiness, we’ll talk about a more serious light lens problem in this write-up: breakage. Most drivers will immediately resort to bringing their car to the shop and go for a new lens to replace the broken one as soon as they notice the problem.

The good thing about this is that the lens being located outside, exposed to your vision, it’s easy to tell whether the shop did a good job right after it’s finished. But, despite this and the little possibility of rip off, there’s still a more effective way to save on the procedure. Want to do the repair on your own?

That’s easy! With either a red automotive tape or a repair compound to use, you can fix the problem yourself and save on your dollars. How?

Well, one way to do the repair is to get a red automotive tape. This is advised for a broken tail light lens, the breakage being just enough for the tape to cover (meaning, not too big). The said tape is translucent and will still allow the beams to shine through, so you won’t have any problem with illumination. One tip: apply the tape horizontally for best results.

Another means to repair a broken lens is with the use of a special repair kit. The kit comes with a plastic film, compounds to mix, and mixing tools. You will need to place or attach the film over the hole or broken part, only the attachment point should be the inside part of the lens (so lens removal is needed). Then, mix the compounds and apply on the broken part. Depending on the kit, a syringe may be provided for easy application. Just wait for the material to dry and your lens will be fine again.

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