07-14-2016, 05:25 AM | #1 |
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X5 Headlight Restoration
I have been searching and reading tons of reviews on restoring headlights back to a showroom condition, there are many different brands of headlight restoration kits but I wanted to see if anyone here can recommend a top quality kit they've tried? My X5's headlights look to be deeply pitted with lots of swirl marks all over the lenses...I'll take some pics later to show you what I'm dealing with
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07-14-2016, 01:12 PM | #2 | |
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Or you can buy just new lenses off eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/172195734773 |
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07-14-2016, 02:31 PM | #3 | |
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Almost every headlight restoration kit I found is fairly inexpensive, I found lots of good reviews on the Sylvania headlight restoration kit http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/s...S0jRoCc13w_wcB It's for my wifes X5, her commute consists of 90% highway driving to and from work so I'm sure being on the highway that much you're more prone to bugs, rocks etc. I may have the headlights wrapped after they're repaired
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07-14-2016, 02:43 PM | #4 | ||
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Since you will me sanding off all the defects ( highly suggest removing the headlight by the way) you will be removing all of the UV protection off the headlight and the plastic will fade and discolor with time, they supply wax that you need to coat every few days depending on washes and such to keep the UV protection applied. Big pain in the ass. I used opticoat for lenses which was 60 bucks and it's lasted for years, still clear as day. It adds that protective film on the PC that you sanded away. Take your time as it will take time. The 3M kit was the best I've used. The kit you are showing isn't worth a hill of beans as you will need power drill. Doing it by hand is pure nonsense and will take you days. And a new arm! Just get the 3M kit it really works. Their are two versions, one is 300 dollars for the kit the other is 15 to 20 dollars just get the cheaper one, it does 1 pair of headlights and works wonderfully, The sand paper does clog so you may need two. |
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07-14-2016, 04:05 PM | #5 | |
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07-14-2016, 06:10 PM | #7 |
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Did it require using a drill or did you do it by hand?
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07-15-2016, 04:55 AM | #9 |
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I picked up the 3M restoration kit and some 3000 grit sand paper as well which wasn't included for an even smoother finish, now all I need is for the weather to get out of the 90's and the humidity to drop!
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07-15-2016, 07:58 AM | #10 |
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Being in Texas, that would mean I'd have to do it in the middle of the night!
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07-15-2016, 08:32 AM | #11 |
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I have had bad luck with those kits. I might not be doing it hard enough or my headlights might of been in bad shape. I had my detailer do it for me. He has done a bunch of them and I put on a coat of opti-coat on the headlights. If you are not comfortable doing it, I would find a detailer.
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07-15-2016, 12:38 PM | #12 | ||
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07-15-2016, 01:36 PM | #13 | |||
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No and I mean no swirls or scratches present. Just takes time and a little courage. |
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07-15-2016, 02:46 PM | #14 |
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I've done this on several of my cars but instead of using a kit I have an assortment of wet sanding paper and various cuts of paint polish I use. The concept is the same but as others have stated, take your time. If you rush it, the results will look as such. When I get around to detailing the exterior of my I plan to tackle this and then add Expel protection film.
Some pics of my M5 headlights: |
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07-15-2016, 04:27 PM | #15 |
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07-15-2016, 05:29 PM | #16 |
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Here is a quick shot of the Mini Cooper headlights, they have over 200k miles on them and are over 10 years old, and where very pitted and hazy and yellow before the restoration.
These where done over 3 years ago. Haven't touched them since. |
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07-16-2016, 05:44 AM | #17 | |
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I've been detailing my cars, my parents cars from a very young age so I feel this shouldn't be a very difficult DIY. I'll post up some before and after pics when I get a chance to do this...thanks guys
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07-16-2016, 08:22 AM | #18 | ||
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07-16-2016, 08:47 AM | #19 |
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07-16-2016, 09:01 AM | #20 | |
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Your always going to get high and low feedback with stuff that's not always easy to do, depends on operator and skill. Make sure you put enough of it on, if you put to thin a layer it will not work and your lights will yellow, put on the right amount and it's a long lasting barrier. Now how much you wash and clean will take a toll, since my mini is driven maybe a few times a year it will last many many years as it's been 3 already and they still are great, now if you are a perpetual washer it will remove coating in time, just like over washed cars, every time you take your car to a "grind a wash" it removes small amount of clear coat as the brushes polish your ride. So you should keep it and just apply it at your own discretion or when you feel you need to. But whatever the plan it's better than wax which you would have to really reapply after every wash. |
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07-17-2016, 07:42 PM | #21 |
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I started with 800 and ended with 3000. It's very time consuming but the results are worth it. Those headlights had 90k+ on them and they looked new when I put them back on. I also used a combination of Meguiars high cut compounds and clear plastic cleaner/polish.
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10-17-2016, 09:04 PM | #22 |
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Headlight Restoration E70
Here is my DIY that I did. It saves a lot of money.
DIY_Nation_TH https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-u...O40J6wl1hzOVdw Last edited by DIY_Nation_TH; 10-30-2016 at 08:41 AM.. Reason: Better Viewing |
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