Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW Related Forums > Detailing Forum
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Sponsored by:

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-25-2005, 07:32 AM
powers1's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lisbon-PT & London-UK
Posts: 3,361
powers1 is on a distinguished road
Polishing your Headlights

Thought I share this with everyone.If your plastic headlights are scratched or pitted you can SAFELY do the following to make them look brand new again.
Ensure that you dont apply any polishes in direct sunlight !!

1.Use 1200 or 1500 wet sand paper with lots of water to eliminate the scratches or other surface marks.(Your headlight will look dull after you do this,like the left headlight on one of my pics....but no problem!!!!Read on...).
2.Wash and dry your headlight.
3.With a soft cloth apply a compound "T-cutting" polish in a circular motion over your headlight(better to use an Orbital polisher).Use this polish until you satisfied you have eliminate all scratches and marks.
4.Remove all polish residues
5.Apply a high gloss finishing polish(again,better to use an Orbital polisher)in a circular motion,pressing hard onto your h/light and allow to dry.
6.After you remove all polish residues your headlights will look as good as new.(see my picture)

You can do this on most plastic surface of the X5,including the wood trim.

To boost your confidence that you can do the above work,first try the procedures on any small clear plastic and see the results
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 09-25-2005, 07:35 AM
powers1's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lisbon-PT & London-UK
Posts: 3,361
powers1 is on a distinguished road
The pictures...Sorry!

Quote:
Originally Posted by powers1
Thought I share this with everyone.If your plastic headlights are scratched or pitted you can SAFELY do the following to make them look brand new again.
Ensure that you dont apply any polishes in direct sunlight !!

1.Use 1200 or 1500 wet sand paper with lots of water to eliminate the scratches or other surface marks.(Your headlight will look dull after you do this,like the left headlight on one of my pics....but no problem!!!!Read on...).
2.Wash and dry your headlight.
3.With a soft cloth apply a compound "T-cutting" polish in a circular motion over your headlight(better to use an Orbital polisher).Use this polish until you satisfied you have eliminate all scratches and marks.
4.Remove all polish residues
5.Apply a high gloss finishing polish(again,better to use an Orbital polisher)in a circular motion,pressing hard onto your h/light and allow to dry.
6.After you remove all polish residues your headlights will look as good as new.(see my picture)

You can do this on most plastic surface of the X5,including the wood trim.

To boost your confidence that you can do the above work,first try the procedures on any small clear plastic and see the results
Attached Images
  
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-25-2005, 08:01 AM
motordavid's Avatar
RetiredBum & Semi-RenaissanceMan
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Mtns of Western NC, & SW FLA
Posts: 16,816
motordavid will become famous soon enoughmotordavid will become famous soon enough
Powers: Pretty good process, there...

If one wants to try a less abrasive/rigorous approach on less abraded covers,
I rec'd "303": I've used it for years on m'cycle windshields and helmet shields.

Will not cure deep scratches, but for an initial "clearing", it is remarkable stuff,
imo. It does require some hunting to find it, outside the bigger metro areas.
GL,md

http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=home
__________________
Ol'UncleMotor
From the Home Base of Pro Bono Punditry
and 50 Cent Opins...

Our Mtn Scenes, Car Pics, and Road Trip Pics on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627297418250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627332480833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45275375@N00/

My X Page




Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-25-2005, 07:37 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4
STreece is on a distinguished road
You can also install headlamp film, similar to but thicker than paint protection film, on the lamps when they are new. This will prevent the problem completely. Paint protection film from 3M is 8 mil, while the headlamp film is 14 mil.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-25-2005, 08:35 PM
statdoc's Avatar
Master of Disaster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Florabama
Posts: 4,236
statdoc is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by STreece
You can also install headlamp film, similar to but thicker than paint protection film, on the lamps when they are new. This will prevent the problem completely. Paint protection film from 3M is 8 mil, while the headlamp film is 14 mil.
I installed the headlight protection film within a month of getting my new X5, and am very glad I did it. It would be different if the headlights were just plain convex glass, like the "old days". However, with the leading surface being plastic, I like having it protected from sand, rocks, etc.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-08-2006, 11:56 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: X5world
Posts: 42
robocal is on a distinguished road
motordavid,

Just wondering what 303 product you use ?

Also does it do any damage to the paint finish ?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:42 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.