E53: Headlight Restoration

[JaySpec7]

Through the years I've been facing the issues of hazy and discolored headlights. I've taken it to a couple local shops to restore them but was told that the haziness from condensation and is located on the inside of the lenses. Man I wished it was easy to replace just like my E46, but i attempted to grab some different grit sand paper and was not successful. I left it alone for a couple years looking for a cheap replacement or some euros.

Recently my friend recommended the 3M restoration kit and mentioned he had much success with his VW. At 25 bucks from my local AutoZone, I figured I'd try it...

Here are the results...

[JaySpec7]

Huge difference. I also replaced my HID bulbs with the D2S Osram Xenarc 66240 Nightbreaker. WOW!
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[TiAgX5]

That 3M kit works good. Used it last summer on my Moms 2005 MB E300. That car is parked outside at the NJ shore, and they came back like new. She drove it a few nights later and called to tell me the difference is night and day.

[JaySpec7]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

That 3M kit works good. Used it last summer on my Moms 2005 MB E300. That car is parked outside at the NJ shore, and they came back like new. She drove it a few nights later and called to tell me the difference is night and day.

Good to hear. Did you apply any coating after? Just worried that now the UV coat is gone that it'll have to be polished more frequently.

[Ricky Bobby]

They look pretty damn good, you can get them even clearer with a few more passes of a finishing polish and a foam pad as well.

Nighbreaker bulbs are amazing, such an underrated thing to restore light output by replacing with fresh OEM bulbs. Our cars are 10 years old, these bulbs dim with age but very slowly so its not noticeable!

[JaySpec7]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

They look pretty damn good, you can get them even clearer with a few more passes of a finishing polish and a foam pad as well.

Nighbreaker bulbs are amazing, such an underrated thing to restore light output by replacing with fresh OEM bulbs. Our cars are 10 years old, these bulbs dim with age but very slowly so its not noticeable!

Yea.. my bulbs where tired... started to look yellow... barely any intensity... swapped them out and what a huge difference. Forgot what it was like to see that intense blue on start up and bright white light after it's warmed up. My high beams actually work now! LoL

[Riggodeaux]

Good job, Jay. I did the same thing last weekend, using the basic 3m kit that you use with a low rpm power drill. Nice Pix. My 'before and after' are almost exactly like yours'. I added protective urethane covers, which custom fit E53 headlights, from weathertech. Thick clear urethane with adhesive backing, you use a hair dryer to heat and work out the corners. My kit did not come with the liquid 3m protective sealer, which is an alternative to the expensive weathertech covers. I have used it before and it seemed to protect fairly well, though we only had that car [a benz diesel sedan] for another year or so. The weathertech covers are around $50.

[Ricky Bobby]

Just use the sealant that you use on your paint, apply a coat once every few months to protect them.

[JaySpec7]

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

Good job, Jay. I did the same thing last weekend, using the basic 3m kit that you use with a low rpm power drill. Nice Pix. My 'before and after' are almost exactly like yours'. I added protective urethane covers, which custom fit E53 headlights, from weathertech. Thick clear urethane with adhesive backing, you use a hair dryer to heat and work out the corners. My kit did not come with the liquid 3m protective sealer, which is an alternative to the expensive weathertech covers. I have used it before and it seemed to protect fairly well, though we only had that car [a benz diesel sedan] for another year or so. The weathertech covers are around $50.

Good to hear. I had thick protection type film on my 3 series but later took it off since it didn't look as clear.

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

Just use the sealant that you use on your paint, apply a coat once every few months to protect them.

Yea, i'm going to try the sealant this time around and see what happens over time.

[JaySpec7]

FYI - I ordered my HID bulbs from Lightwerkz... They respond and ship fast!!

OEM HID Projector Retrofit Parts & Service Specialists I Lightwerkz.net

Info...
D2S: Osram Xenarc 66240 Nightbreaker - HID Bulbs - Components