My headlights are gross
#1
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Location: Buffalo NY
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My Ride: 2004 545i 6 speed, Silver Gray A08, Gray leather
Mods: Hard-Wired Passport 9500ix LIVE , K&N Air + RPi Scoop, Mtech V2.1 AE, ACS pedals+Ebrake, flip up front plate, OEM 172's, Custom M Kit, M3 shift knob, Eisemann Race Exhaust
2005 X5 3.0 (the nightmare)
1998 528i SOLD @ 173K
As my title says my headlights are looking nasty. They are very cloudy and the top is starting to get yellowish/little cracks?. I've tried searching but I cant find what Im looking for. I went out and bought the 3M kit and it seemed to work okay but the headlight I worked on is still cloudy looking and nowhere near clear. Does anyone have a good DIY on how to clean these up. I got a bunch of mods coming up as soon as spring breaks and I want to get those Euro overlays but I need to polish these out first! Please help!! Normally I see ads all over my local CL but now that I need my lights done I cant a find a single ad!
#2
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My Ride: 535i
As my title says my headlights are looking nasty. They are very cloudy and the top is starting to get yellowish/little cracks?. I've tried searching but I cant find what Im looking for. I went out and bought the 3M kit and it seemed to work okay but the headlight I worked on is still cloudy looking and nowhere near clear. Does anyone have a good DIY on how to clean these up. I got a bunch of mods coming up as soon as spring breaks and I want to get those Euro overlays but I need to polish these out first! Please help!! Normally I see ads all over my local CL but now that I need my lights done I cant a find a single ad!
#3
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My Ride: 2004 545i 6 speed, Silver Gray A08, Gray leather
Mods: Hard-Wired Passport 9500ix LIVE , K&N Air + RPi Scoop, Mtech V2.1 AE, ACS pedals+Ebrake, flip up front plate, OEM 172's, Custom M Kit, M3 shift knob, Eisemann Race Exhaust
2005 X5 3.0 (the nightmare)
1998 528i SOLD @ 173K
Awesome thanks!
#5
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My Ride: 545i sport
Model Year: 2004
When I purchased my car, the headlights were very bad, especially along the top. I removed the lights put them on the bench and started sanding and sanding and sanding and... Anyway, I got them looking pretty good but not perfect. Then, a couple months later I took the car in for the brake recall and the dealer spilled brake fluid on one of the headlights and stained it. They gave me the car back with the stain, but when I pointed it out, they were quick to acknowledge fault and we settled on getting both headlights polished. When I got the car back, the headlights looked brad new.
My point to the story is that it just might be worth paying someone that does headlight polishing for a living to do the work for you. To do it right, you need a lot of high quality sand paper, a lot of elbow grease, buffing and polishing equipment, etc. I have all that (exept I used cheap sand paper) and I still did not do as goof of a job as the guys who do it everyday. Just an FYI.
It's all in the sanding.
My point to the story is that it just might be worth paying someone that does headlight polishing for a living to do the work for you. To do it right, you need a lot of high quality sand paper, a lot of elbow grease, buffing and polishing equipment, etc. I have all that (exept I used cheap sand paper) and I still did not do as goof of a job as the guys who do it everyday. Just an FYI.
It's all in the sanding.
#6
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My Ride: BMW E60
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Yes, I tend to agree with David above. It's probably more headache-free and faster if you just pay someone to do it. Of the prices that I am aware of, it's usually about $30-$80. At $80 we're talking about finishing the job with UV clear coat.
If you have the time, say a free day on a weekend, then sure, I can say it might be fun doing it on your own (assuming you have most of the stuff such as a orbiting tool already). Otherwise, the cost of going out and buying a bunch of different things, and learning/figuring out how to do it is not cost effective.
If you have the time, say a free day on a weekend, then sure, I can say it might be fun doing it on your own (assuming you have most of the stuff such as a orbiting tool already). Otherwise, the cost of going out and buying a bunch of different things, and learning/figuring out how to do it is not cost effective.
#7
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My Ride: 2004 545i Sport, Sound, Cold weather package, Steptronic, Logic 7, Sunshades, CD changer in glove. Alpine White, with light tan Dakota leather, Good seats. Just out of warranty.
Previous: 1997 528i. Sold '09.
1981 320i. Sold '89.
This is really good news. I had this with my '97, and now it's happening to my 2004. I had my guys go to a junk lot and buy some "new/used" headlights. (of course BMW doesn't have lens replacements). With these 2004 lights, I can't replace them....$$$$. I knew there could be buffing and sanding involved. Thanks.
This could be a good biz for some of those detail guys, or body guys. Are the professional lens-only buffers?
I would do this myself, but I would be too afraid. I'm female, and use tools, but BMWs: Scary.
This could be a good biz for some of those detail guys, or body guys. Are the professional lens-only buffers?
I would do this myself, but I would be too afraid. I'm female, and use tools, but BMWs: Scary.
#8
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My Ride: 545I and a half dozen other rides
I tried polishing but could not get it clear enough. This is after sanding. It would be hazy in spots.
Si I tried sanding it until all the factory clear is off, cleaned it, then just clear it. It lasts much longer. No need to polish unless the clear has a lot of orange peel.
See the splotches? keep sanding until they are all gone.
Si I tried sanding it until all the factory clear is off, cleaned it, then just clear it. It lasts much longer. No need to polish unless the clear has a lot of orange peel.
See the splotches? keep sanding until they are all gone.