My original lamps (fitted to my RB5) corroded after about 18 months. I lived with it for another 12 months, but they just steadily got worse and started too look cr@p. I had these replaced under warranty, but the replacements started corroding after 12 months.

Unfortunately, I had a couple smash from stones so had to fork out some replacements myself. I've noticed that these are starting to rust too.

I e-mailed PIAA and they told me that if they are 'submerged', then they will corrode, but if they are designed for road use, then they should stand up to the weather and condensation - yes?

You get condensation in headlights and this has never caused the reflectors in them to corrode.

Has anyone else had problems with the reflectors inside of their PIAA lamps corroding/rusting?

I've asked PIAA if replacement reflectors are covered under their own limited warranty as I'm not happy forking out £50 a pop if the design is flawed.

Stefan

 

I havent noticed any problems with mine as yet.

Steve

 

Steve,

Have you noticed condensation inside the lamps? Mine started to rust/corrode around the bottom edge (where the glass lens is bonded to the lamp).

Stefan

 

Cant remember seeing condensation, but 90% of the time I have the covers on so dont see the lenses. Car is in for a service today but will have a look when I get it back tonight. Will let you know.

Steve

 

Will keep my eyes open for this as well Stefan

Cheers
Si

 

On my second set (second car with them on) and have had no problems but as this is an STi I take the spots off for the summer/track/competition season.

 

Two things come to mind here:
Corrosion happens only if the metal parts are constantly in contact with water. That's why older cars rotted through on the top edges of their wings: the water soaked into muck that was there, and it stayed wet.
Are you certain that the water isn't getting into the lamp housing BEHIND the reflector, from where it won't easily escape?
I used to have this problem with Cibie Super Oscars on an Escort, and cured it by putting a strip of black electrician's tape round the join. Nowadays, I'd do it with a non-setting plumber's compound round the INSIDE of the join, then wipe off the outside, for appearance sake.
Check for water/damp inside the lamp housing behind the reflector .
If it's not that, could it be water gathering INSIDE the covers, then seeping into the lens. That would be "immersion" in their books. I'd be inclined to give them both a good spray with a garden hose, then check both of those. If it's the second, drill a couple of small holes at top and bottom of cover to allow it to "breathe", 8mm would be enough.
Alcazar

 

I'll let everyone know what PIAA have to say for themselves. The PIAA lens/reflector is a sealed unit. The only way for water to ingress inside is via the hole where the bulb pokes through.

The lens/reflector is the majority of the lamp as the only other parts is the metal holder for the lens/reflector and the L-shaped bracket that attaches it to the bumper.

I'll have a closer look to see if I can figure out what's going on.

Stefan

 

Stefan,
The PIAA's on my RB5 were corroding and sometimes had a mist of condensation on the inside of the lense. Sold the car with 21000 miles on the clock, now have a STi8 but miss the PIAA lamps which are fantastic at night.

Cheers

Dave

 

Mine are always misted up and the brackets are a bit rusty, the reflectors are a bit rusty in spots where they meet the glass .(MY99)

 

I've had a set on for about 3 years now and no probs! They have never misted up. The mounting braket rusted so I repainted it but that is nothing to do with the lights.
Mine are pencil beam spots and are great!!!! Recommend them to everyone.

Carlos

 

My near side PIAA is often misted and has started to corrode at the bottom. Car is also an MY99.

 

mine keep misting up and have tried various ways to try and keep them dry Total strip down and dried out then sealed with silicon but still mists up,tried a breather hole but still the same,come to the conclusion that they are an effective light but a poor design and if people keep buying them nothing will change except your bank balance.
Powerman

 

the brackets on mine are shockingly rusty.. going to get dismantled sometime soon and coated with smoothrite..

 

I wasn't too bothered with the brackets since they're not galvanised and if the paint get's chipped, water will get in a start to rust them. I guess spares could be easily fabricated if you could get hold of some steel sheeting on the cheap.

PIAA say all lamps have a 3yr warranty. What they didn't confirm is if replacement parts have a limited warranty of their own. I'm not happy paying £50 a lamp every 12months when they start to fall apart.

Maybe the answer is to drive around with the covers on them 24/7

Stefan

 

One of my bulbs goes far too regularly - probably a wiring issue but it looks ok.

 

stripped mine down last weekend and attacked the rust! LOL
A vigorous scrub with a steel brush, and bit of Kurust-like engineers blue-(make sure you wear gloves!!!) and half a dozen coats of hammerite spray and you would never know they were so bad.. they look SO much better..

 

cool, need to try that myself. I did think of getting some brackets fabricated in stainless steel if they got any worse.

PIAA are rubber-earing the warranty issue on replacement lenses. Looks like they're trying to protect their very lucrative spare-parts business.

Stefan

 

Same problem with my RB5 too.
Reading this thread makes me wonder whether I might be better off buying an alternative. That said, I am very happy with the performance of the lights -particularly with the 130w PIAA bulbs in situ