3M Headlight restorationKit

[nickt5174]

Before

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[nickt5174]

After

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[itscoo2pyopants]

Good work

Can you to post details about the process?

[williamx5]

Good day!

Are you sure you didn't swap out for a new light?

Great job! Mine turned out pretty close to the same, but I just used 1000 grit, then 2000, then rubbing compound, then polishing compound... I made up these sponge things I use on my drill! Really amazing stuff!

I love my pre-facelift versions! They don't cloud up on the inside of the lens like my 2004 and 2006 do!

Cheers!

[X5 Manic]

I would like to know what could be used to seal the lens once this is done. I've used the 3M stuff many times with great results. But they always fade again after about a year. The hot sun in the south doesn't help either.

[williamx5]

Originally Posted by X5 Manic

I would like to know what could be used to seal the lens once this is done. I've used the 3M stuff many times with great results. But they always fade again after about a year. The hot sun in the south doesn't help either.

Once I get mine right, I just wash and wax with the rest of the vehicle... Spend a little more time on the lights, and they stay looking like new longer...

Cheers!!

[nickt5174]

So the kit come with 4 stages on a orbital buffing pad that you hook up to a battery drill
500 grit then 800, then 3000 and last the compound.

I had some 1000 grit laying around so I added that to the process in between the 800 and 3000. The trick to get the best results is in the first step. Make sure you get a good even haze on the entire lens. Then just do the same for the reminding steps.

To seal the lens you can wax them, but I just used some spray wax for now temporarily as I am going to add a Lamin-x layer to keep them from going yellow again

[dkl]

Originally Posted by nickt5174

So the kit come with 4 stages on a orbital buffing pad that you hook up to a battery drill
500 grit then 800, then 3000 and last the compound.

I had some 1000 grit laying around so I added that to the process in between the 800 and 3000. The trick to get the best results is in the first step. Make sure you get a good even haze on the entire lens. Then just do the same for the reminding steps.

To seal the lens you can wax them, but I just used some spray wax for now temporarily as I am going to add a Lamin-x layer to keep them from going yellow again

I did the same - adding Lamin-X after the 3M kit restoration + waxing. Can't believed it's almost 4 years since I did this. The Lamin-X is still holding up great. However, the wax on the headlamps (underneath the Lamin-X) are cracking at some places. But I'm still happy with the results since I didn't have to touch it for 4 years!

[richardb]

Did this on our X5 not long ago, headlights came out great. Key is to take your time, haven't applied any lamin-x though.

https://youtu.be/DD0YKYTb9IQ

[tmv]

3M kit works great. I've been using it on many cars now.
I have 3M plastic clear cover on the E53 after doing the headlight restoration. It has been 4 yrs and show no sign of fading.
For other vehicles, I use optimum gloss coat on the headlights after. Suppose to last a couple years.