E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Headlight restoration & protection

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2015 | 02:40 AM
  #1  
stustustu's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Members
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: UK
My Ride: 530d E61
Default Headlight restoration & protection

Hi,

My headlights are badly scratched from 150k of mainly motorway miles. I've been reading up on headlight restoration by wet sanding and like the idea of protecting them afterwards by something like Headlight Armor film or the 3M protective film. Has anyone had any success restoring their headlights and has anyone found any suppliers of the film in the UK? Most seem to be from the US and the postage costs almost double the price.

Cheers
Stu
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2015 | 03:21 PM
  #2  
tprenaldo's Avatar
Contributors
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
My Ride: Mach5 05' 530i Black Sapphire Metallic w/Auburn Leather Seats, Heated Front/Rear Seats, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Pkg, Sports Pkg, Xenon Headlights, NAV, Mud Flaps, 20" 166 Style Rims
Model Year: 2005
Engine: N54
Default

Originally Posted by stustustu
Hi,

My headlights are badly scratched from 150k of mainly motorway miles. I've been reading up on headlight restoration by wet sanding and like the idea of protecting them afterwards by something like Headlight Armor film or the 3M protective film. Has anyone had any success restoring their headlights and has anyone found any suppliers of the film in the UK? Most seem to be from the US and the postage costs almost double the price.

Cheers
Stu
Take them to a body shop that specializes in BMWs. They can wet sand, then protect with clear coat!
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2015 | 04:56 PM
  #3  
txag_530i's Avatar
Senior Members
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
My Ride: 2006 530i, Jet Black, Tan, Premium, Steptronic
Default

I used the 3M kit. The results were fantastic. I don't know if you can get the 3M product across the pond.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2015 | 08:51 AM
  #4  
JasonH's Avatar
Members
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 2
From: Bristol, UK
Default

You really need a body shop to put a layer of clear lacquer on. You can do this after a 1500 grit sand and it comes up perfectly.

Bodyshops put clear lacquer on almost every paint job so they should be able to slip your headlamps in for minimum cost if you deliver them ready to go.

If you don't lacquer them they will fade within a year.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2015 | 06:57 PM
  #5  
andrewr's Avatar
New Members
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Ga
My Ride: 5-series
Default

You can use Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane aerosol or the Spraymax to protect your headlights from the harmful UV.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2015 | 05:58 AM
  #6  
ggal625's Avatar
New Members
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
My Ride: 2006 BMW 530xiT
Default

I watched a youtube video that prescribed sanding and clear coat, and then did my own.


Refinished headlights - Bimmerfest - BMW Forums
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Vman33
Complete Car Sales
5
Mar 14, 2022 04:43 AM
umnitza
E60, E61 Parts, Accessories and Mods
9
Nov 25, 2015 11:10 AM
Kewill0360
E60 Discussion
2
Sep 28, 2015 07:32 AM
Bogdan7
F10, F11 Parts, Accessories and Mods
0
Sep 23, 2015 11:40 AM
DetailersDomain
Detailing Forum
0
Sep 22, 2015 03:59 PM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:28 AM.