X5 Headlight Restoration
 

I'm sure many other X5's can benefit from this service. Not a bad way to start your weekend!

Improve the appearance and visibility with a $15 3M kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD0YKYTb9IQ

I did a wet sand approach on my headlights and they came out better than this kit. It took a bit longer with the manual hand approach but the outcome was well worth it. I machine polished the last set which was the compound. My steps that I followed:

1.) Wet sand 600 grit by hand
2.) Wet sand 800 grit by hand
3.) Wet sand 1000 grit by hand
4.) Wets sand 1500 grit by hand
5.) Wet sand 2000 grit by hand
6.) Machine compound for shine and brilliance
7.) Coat with synthetic wax/sealer for UV protection

You'll love the new headlight look

I agree , I went though this last week, What a PITA, Wet sanding the whole time is much better for the lens, and don,t use anything less then 800 grit, and compound and and wax last a lot longer then just sanding the crap out of your lens.

I used, successfully, the 3M kit [the one you use with a power drill/driver or orbital]. Takes time, but great result. I protected the repaired finish with the thick custom cut plastic stick-ons from Weathertech? Spendy but hold up well.

Had to update this YouTube link,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD0YKYTb9IQ

Sometime the haze/fog is on the inside. What then :dunno::dunno:

I used the 3M kit on a few cars and they came out great - but the first time I used it was on my X5 and I didn't do each stage for long enough and the results were not great. I plan on hitting the headlights again on the X5 with a new kit. The Jeep I did it on turned out amazing, clear just like new actually, I was really happy with the results. I just need to slow down a bit and spend the necessary amount of time on each stage with my drill and the sand paper, the extra time was key for the perfect job but I swear by their product.

There's a link on YouTube somewhere of a guy doing it in a lot more stages with the Griot's Garage buffer and several pads, came out looking like glass. That X5 still seems to have a faded look right around the turnsignal, and 500 grit seems pretty rough. The E90 guy used 800-1000 for the first pass and several passes with 2000-3000 grits, plus two polishes. Let me see if I can dig it up.

I have 30% smoked tape on headlights and I do not have to think about this problem!

While you're at it....You should have done both fog lights too at the same time........:D

And thanks for sharing!