X5 Headlight Restoration

[Moments]

It's a few years since my headlight resto with grit (1000/1500/2000/2500) and Meguiar's polish/drill. I finished with IPA wipe and GTechnic C4 for the UV shield. Still in good shape, no uv degradation yet.
I've used C4 on the bonnet trim too - massive improvement.

[Rbmn9529]

Consumer Reports listed Sylvania and 3M as the best with Sylvania edging out 3M. I had used 3M before and it worked well, I like the drill attachment.

So I tried Sylvania and it was quite a bit more work. It did have a good UV sealant that was difficult to spread evenly the length of the Headlight without re-applying, something they frown upon in the instructions.

It was a toss-up. I think I spend $100 next time and have a professional do it, because it WILL NEED a next time, unfortunately...

[williamx5]

Good day all!!

This is how I started out. I did the driver side first, but they looked the same initially.





I work for the company that makes the seats for our new X5’s and such, so I have access to foam (scrap) and industrial strength glue. I made these to use in my battery drill.



I worked the 2000 grit by had to get a good foundation. Then the buffing foam adapter with wax. This was a test. I have since gone from 2000 grit to rubbing compound then to polish compound. I may stop there to get the glass smooth finish.

This is how they turned out going from 2000 grit to wax on the foam using my battery drill. I’m looking into the weathertech stick-ons. I have them on the 4.6is and they are holding up super great!







I have to pull the headlights from the 2004 to clean out the insides too. Such a PITA to get them apart! I came on here looking for someone that has done it. I’m still searching.

Cheers for now!!!

[CleanIsFast]

Can these be saved or should I look for another pair?

[Jcbe34]

Those can definitely be saved, but not with one of the off-the-shelf kits. They need to be wet-sanded with 600 or 800, 1200, 2000 and polished with a rotary or DA. Mine were nearly that bad

DSC_0352 by Jonathan braswell, on Flickr

DSC_0351 by Jonathan braswell, on Flickr

I used 800/1200/2000 and Meguiars 105 compound with a rotary

[CleanIsFast]

Thanks Jonathan, I guess i'll be off to Home Depot to buy some 800/1200/2000 sand paper. Hoping they have a round hand sand device I can attach the paper too instead of just square/rectangle sheets.

Compound with Meguiars 105 and Polish with 205 - I assume I need a sealant after

[Jcbe34]

I just got sheets from autozone, but if you have DA or some other device it'll go a lot quicker. Removing the headlights is a must, IMO. If not you end up with not-quite-perfect corners.

As for sealant, I used HD Poxy and then Opti-Seal a day later, but I don't expect that to resist UV forever. I'm really considering getting them cleared at a local body shop.

[CleanIsFast]

I do not have a DA so i'll probably have to polish by hand or use a power drill with attachment (like the 3M kit)

[Riggodeaux]

If you are not a particularly proficient sander, the 3M kit that includes a power drill disk works well, and may be up to the task. Mine were not that bad, but the 3M kit has worked well for me on 3 different vehicles. On my E53, I finished with the protective cover sold through the weathertech website [as best I recall] that is 'custom fit.' It has held up well, too.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by CleanIsFast

Can these be saved or should I look for another pair?

They sure can. Here is the passenger side headlight for my brothers 2001 Dodge Ram. The first picture is what I started with, the second is after I wet sanded with 320, 620, 1200, and finally 2000 grit sandpaper and polished with Meguiars 105 and 205 polishing compounds. The third was after applying a mixture of Helmsman Spar Urethane mixed with mineral spirits. The urethane adds a mirror like finish (difficult to see the difference between the second and third in this reduced sized photos but it's obvious in real life) as well as providing UV protection.