Xoutpost.com - E53: Headlight Restoration

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Headlight restoration

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySpec7 (Post 998693)

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...

I have had the same experience. It sure looks like the haziness is on the inside. I've noticed that when the lenses are wet though, there is no appearance of haziness. So you're saying that they can be restored from the outside, and all that crap is NOT on the inside? Can it be true?:dunno:

So, any update on the quality of the lenses now?
I just did mine with a Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit, and its OK looking (seems there is a bit of orange peel affect after wiping on the Base and then sealant cloths). As long as the orange peel does not distort the light output I'm fine with how it will look.
BUT I'm looking to see if I need to put on another Coating to avoid having to re-do the lights again in 6 months... I read that once you use sanding paper on the plastic, you're constantly having to wax/re-seal your plastic light covers...
I've seen people use a 60/40 mix of MinWax and mineral spirits (thinner) and some use Opti-Lens sealant... just looking for long term updates...

^Mike if you have sanded your lenses down you have gotten rid of or compromised the factory clear coat UV protection on the lenses. You will need to either wax/seal the lenses constantly to slow the return of the yellowing, or you need to apply a coating. I've seen the urethane/min spirits method, but for the price, I would recommend applying Opti-Lens coating. Just polish the lenses up again, wipe them down with IPA, and apply the coating. One syringe can do a few coats on 1 set of lenses, or a few different sets of lights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby (Post 1067115)

Thanks Jason
I will be removing the bumper again to install a new PDC in a few weeks, so I may as well remove the headlamps again and add this opti-lens coating.
cheers guys.

I'm only doing this because about 2 years ago a detailer was doing my x5 and he ran his rotary over my headlamps and it made them hazy so I decided to try to remedy this by sanding adn applying a restoration kit.... not successful. Anyhow, my light output from that one headlamp he put the rotary buffer on is slightly distorted compared to the other now. Even with my new Xenarc bulbs the cutoff pattern is fuzzy on the wall. dang. I was hoping the restoration kit would make the distortion less... guess not. anyhow, I'll cover over with opti-lens. thanks guys.

PS: eshine.ca has this for $79 CDN, so if anyone in Canada is looking to buy it... much cheaper than buying from US at the moment...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby (Post 998697)

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.

So adding the finishing polish will be ok to have on the lenses before applying the Opti-Lens coating? Shouldnt the Opti-Lens coating stick directly to the plastic? I'm Gonna read up a bit more...

I used the 3m kit, the one using a rotary attachment to a hand drill, very successfully. For coating/protection, I used the more expensive, stick on clear covers, I believe sold via weathertech? They have held up well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clockwork (Post 1067130)

So adding the finishing polish will be ok to have on the lenses before applying the Opti-Lens coating? Shouldnt the Opti-Lens coating stick directly to the plastic? I'm Gonna read up a bit more...

After you run a pass of polish (presumably to get rid of any haze and make sure the lenses are perfect before coating them) - you would want to wipe them down with a 15% IPA wipe, then apply the coating

Alternatively Riggo just mentioned, you could get Xpel clear film on the lenses as well for protection

thanks Jay. I will be buying the 3M kit to go along with the 2 turtle wax kits I have. so I have PLENTY of clarifying compound and lubricant spray for the drill pads.
And after buying that large 10ml syringe of Opti-Lens I should be able to do multiple lights (though I only have to do two now). I'm actually looking forward to re-doing this now cause I wasn't impressed with the clarity of the lend before I coated them (with turtle wax sealant) and now I realize it was just cause I did not spend enough time with the clarifying compound on the lenses after sanding. I should have made sure they were crystal clear before sealing.
I have to remove bumper for PDC replacement again anyhow, so no big deal to remove headlighs... I just hate realigning them. I wish someone around Calgary had a beam setter machine...