reopen headlights

[cuban_bmwx5]

hello everyone i was wondering how can i re open headlights that been sealed with silicone?

[X5SND]

Only real way is to cut the silicone. What year X we talkin about?

[cuban_bmwx5]

damn sounds like a long job lol .. it is a 2001 x5

[upallnight]

I think for that model year X the headlight lens can be removed if you warm the headlight up to soften the adhesive. Can be warmed in an oven or with a hair dryer. If you use a heat gun be careful because a heat gun throws out heat at a higher temp compare with a hair dryer.

[X5SND]

Correct, you should be able to bake those open fairly easily. If someone did reseal them with silicone however, the task turns into nothing really short of a nightmare.

[tmv]

I used butyl to re-seal the headlights, not silicone. In your case, you have to cut the silicone as X5SND suggested.

[cuban_bmwx5]

yeah i got them open i cut the silicone and i thought it was gonna be hard it was easier then opening it the first time with the factory glue

[cuban_bmwx5]

thanks for all your help tho

[X5SND]

Piece of advice; use this to seal them: OCI Butyl Rubber Glue - Accessories from The Retrofit Source Inc

[XCUSM5]

Does anyone have a facelift 04-06 headlight disassembly DIY? I had an extra headlight and I tried using a general baking DIY and it didn't work for me. I also tried using the heatgun but truth be told I got frustrated and gave up. There must be a very specific technique for doing these lights. I started breaking stuff so I'm afraid to do the same on the actual lights.