For others considering the project.

I used the 3M kit for a power drill. I tried several one step options that didn't do squat and will be added to the stuff in the garage I never use.

I had to use a little more course sandpaper to remove the clear coat than the 3M kit came with because I wanted to finish the project in this century. I learned from the first headlight I had to be very careful to remove only the coating with the courser stuff. I had two meals in the garage because I didn't go to the 3M paper soon enough on the first one.

It was much easier to get a scratch free lens if I didn't spend that much time on the the first stage of the 3M kit. The second lens looked so much better when I was done I decided I must have only dreamed I worked on the first. I removed it and pinched myself several times until I got it right.

I had no problem with burning a lens though I always kept the drill moving at least a bit. I don't know the drill RPMs but it was always redlined. I did all of the sanding dividing the headlights into four sections working one section at a time until I got it where it should be for that stage. I did the final two stages in even smaller sections. I used very little compound in the last two stages and keep the pad wet enough to spatter anything within 5 feet and then buffed that section until the the pad dried out and I could see very little compound on the lens.

It seemed that some heat in the lens from buffing helped the process. At the very least it made me feel like I was making progress. I could see the symbol of infinity in the lens before I got the first one done. The second one took about the same time it takes me for a round trip to Lowe's including wandering the isles.

I didn't use a clear paint version coating on the finished lens, right or wrong, it didn't seem to me that process would be as effective longterm and it would be the first time I was able to get a coating imperfection free, flow out evenly. The original coating had only spider webbed some but had not yellowed. I decided that was because of the stuff I have always used on the headlights as well as the paint. More than that it saved me that trip to Lowe's and the usual $$$ of stuff I end up buying that is not on my list. I used 5 coats of Zaino polish and the sealer and the shine enhancer as a coating.

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X5 4.6 2002 Black Sap, Black interior. 2013 X5M Melbourne Red, Bamboo interior
Dallas