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workingonit · #10 08-01-2023, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration

I just restored my crusty, yellowed headlights on my '05 X5 with the 3M Ultra headlight restoration kit and damn they look good as new. The final step is to apply two coats of the included 3M clear coat. I think that will last a year or so before needing a reapplication.

Took me about 90 minutes for both headlights.

Based on a tip here, I am also considering buying pre-cut E53 headlight films from XPEL or Lamin-X for $60 to put on after restoration to preserve them even longer.

When I got my '01 X5 in May '21, the headlights were completely opaque (almost impenetrable), so I bought the 3M Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit with Quick Clear Coat, 39175 from Amazon, for $23. I guess it took me about the same 90 or so minutes, maybe more, but they turned out pretty good.

It's been two years since they were cleared, and they look as good as they did then, despite being under the Texas sun (always high UV, it seems), never garaged or covered. When they start fogging over again, I think I'll use the 3M Quick and Easy Headlight Restoration Kit, Removes Light Yellowing in 15-Minutes, 39193, for $8 on Amazon. I previously used the same kit on my '09 HHR Panel, which only had the beginnings of hi-opacity.

The only other time I used (tried using) a headlight resto kit was on my '04 2500HD and the '98 GMC; I used Turtle Wax kits on both, an I thought they made each set of lights even more cloudy, so I bought cheap Chinese headlight sets for both from Amazon, for about $55-60 a set (with new bulbs already installed). It's a shame that BMW aftermarket sets are 4-5 ?x the price.

Are the pre-cut E53 headlight films made of the same material as "paint protection film"? I like the durability of PPF. If so, I might consider using a set after my next headlight resto session.

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