Headlight Shields...Are they replaceable?
10-24-2007, 09:00 AM
#11
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My Ride: 2005 545i E60 Orient Blau Metallic
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Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='485533' date='Oct 24 2007, 12:56 PM
And avoid all this banter and interplay?? Wheres the fun in that! LOL 
I suppose I COULD call them, it just seems so easy.... 
I suppose I COULD call them, it just seems so easy.... 
I had a similar issue with my lights when I was hit by tumbling rocks/pebbles from a debris truck I was following. Lots of scratches to the lights and bumper/paint. I was able to get most of them out by simply polishing out the lights with a sandblaster at a local detail shop. My SA advised me that the only way to go would be to change the lights -- come on -- 3000K for two headlights that are working perfectly for cosmetic reasons?? dont know about you but if I had that kinda cash I'd be on the Ferrari Forum.
Bottom line - your SA will tell you to change the lights but the practical and easiest thing to do is get it into a good detail shop.....
11-05-2007, 08:03 PM
#12
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Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Okay, so I go to my local dealer today and ask if the headlight shields are replaceable, and I'm told, yes.....if I want to replace the entire assembly!!!! 
A couple thousand dollars for pitted headlight shields, Yeah, thats gonna happen! :thumbsdown:
A couple thousand dollars for pitted headlight shields, Yeah, thats gonna happen! :thumbsdown:
11-06-2007, 11:13 AM
#13
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Old BMW headlights can be baked in the oven for some amount of time and you can take out the front polycarbonate cover, but not with E60. I tried to remove those metal clips, but those covers did not come off at all. Those black material you see under clear lense were set and harden.
The best way is polish it. I remember on some forum that they resurface the lense with some kind of clear coat to make it as shine as new.
The best way is polish it. I remember on some forum that they resurface the lense with some kind of clear coat to make it as shine as new.
11-07-2007, 03:53 PM
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Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Originally Posted by my530i' post='490853' date='Nov 6 2007, 01:13 PM
Old BMW headlights can be baked in the oven for some amount of time and you can take out the front polycarbonate cover, but not with E60. I tried to remove those metal clips, but those covers did not come off at all. Those black material you see under clear lense were set and harden.
The best way is polish it. I remember on some forum that they resurface the lense with some kind of clear coat to make it as shine as new.
The best way is polish it. I remember on some forum that they resurface the lense with some kind of clear coat to make it as shine as new.
11-08-2007, 06:22 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545i | Black Sapphire Metallic | Black Dakota Leather | Anthracite Maple | 6 Speed Manual | Sport Package | Logic 7 | Sirius Satellite Radio
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There is an article in the December 2007 issue of Road & Track magazine which discusses this issue. They recommend a product called Novus which will restore headlight covers to "near-new status." Read the article in the magazine, page 149, and check out the Novus website at novuspolish.com.
11-12-2007, 06:03 AM
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My Ride: '04 530
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black out taillights
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you could try compound it should do the trick..
01-16-2008, 10:25 AM
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My Ride: 07 x5 04 530i o1 x5
Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='479366' date='Oct 8 2007, 06:30 PM
I recently purchased a CPO 2005 545i, and the previous owner lived in Arizona where they get more than their share of blowing sand etc. My headlight shields (foglights and windshield too) are very pitted, is there a way to replace just the plastic shield on these cars? Let me know!
http://www.crystalviewchemicals.com/...ght/index.html
01-16-2008, 01:10 PM
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A couple of years ago I got European headlights from eBay.de because I wanted clear corners instead the amber reflectors, but it turned out to be non-Adaptive. So I figured that I would just switch the front lens of my headlights with the European ones so that I would keep the functionality of my oem adaptive headlights. Well, I took the metal clips off and put the headlight in the oven for 10 minutes or so (as recommended by someone on this board), but the lens still didn't come apart.......the black adhesive didn't even get soft. I was going to try a higher oven temperature or longer time in the over, but was affraid some of the plastic would melt......so I decided against it.
So the lens isn't designed to come off.....and the bigger issue is even if you were able to get the lens off you can't buy new replacement lenses from BMW. The headlights are all one piece and there isn't a separate part number for the front lens........so you HAVE to buy the entire headlight anyways.
I would just say to try one of the polishing/cleaning products recommended in the posts above. Or you can try getting the following from Bavarian Auto (bavauto.com). You can go to www.bavauto.com and in the search field type "PH-DIY". I haven't used either one, so I can't recommend one or the other:
So the lens isn't designed to come off.....and the bigger issue is even if you were able to get the lens off you can't buy new replacement lenses from BMW. The headlights are all one piece and there isn't a separate part number for the front lens........so you HAVE to buy the entire headlight anyways.
I would just say to try one of the polishing/cleaning products recommended in the posts above. Or you can try getting the following from Bavarian Auto (bavauto.com). You can go to www.bavauto.com and in the search field type "PH-DIY". I haven't used either one, so I can't recommend one or the other:
01-16-2008, 02:46 PM
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My Ride: BMW E60 530i , Silver with leather Air Con iDrive 17" Breyton Rims with Dunlop Sp Sport tyres (M-Tech Bodykit and rims WANTED)
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+1 It could save you a fortune for a new headlight shields
And here is the step by step link for re-condition ur headlights:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=54601
Hope this would help
Keith
And here is the step by step link for re-condition ur headlights:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=54601
Hope this would help
Keith
01-16-2008, 08:41 PM
#20
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
My thanks to everyone, I have decided to try and polish out the defects on my headlight shields. I just bought a Mother's Powerball and their plastic polish and I'll see how well it works. I'll let you all know when I'm finished how easily, (hopefully), all the scratches etc. came off. 