Headlights

[Dalek]

Having had an advisory on the MOT about misty headlights I contacted the BMW dealer asking about replacements. This was the response..

“Regarding the headlight lenses, these aren't available separately, from us, all we could supply are complete headlights.
These aren't cheap, they are special order from Germany and retail at £962.64 inc. VAT each, believe it or not.

Has anyone found a respectable alternative that retains the original look?

 

[andyglym]

Having had an advisory on the MOT about misty headlights I contacted the BMW dealer asking about replacements. This was the response..

“Regarding the headlight lenses, these aren't available separately, from us, all we could supply are complete headlights.
These aren't cheap, they are special order from Germany and retail at £962.64 inc. VAT each, believe it or not.

Has anyone found a respectable alternative that retains the original look?

When you say misty is it moisture inside or is it the outside that's gone opaque? If it's the outside then it's a short job to return to new with one of the many headlight kits. Cheap too.

 

[Duncodin]

Having had an advisory on the MOT about misty headlights I contacted the BMW dealer asking about replacements. This was the response..

“Regarding the headlight lenses, these aren't available separately, from us, all we could supply are complete headlights.
These aren't cheap, they are special order from Germany and retail at £962.64 inc. VAT each, believe it or not.

Has anyone found a respectable alternative that retains the original look?

I had this exact same problem on my 'Other non-bmw' car. In fact it was a failure. I rubbed them with polishing paste. Used a buffing machine but elbow grease should do it.

 

[Rudyrov]

If you are talking about cloudy outer lenses, have you tried to just polish the lenses? In the US there are several products that people use, personally, I use a commercially available car wax to polish the lenses. There are many products available that work well.

 

[andyglym]

Loads here mate.

Amazon.co.uk : headlight cleaning kit

 

[Zephyr]

Please post a photo. This could be a very easy fix. Easy as twenty minutes easy.

 

[Dalek]

I looked at the polishing kits but was informed it only lasts about a year.
My lights seem to have some crazing in the plastic as well.

 

[Rudyrov]

There are videos on Utube that you can watch as well.

 

[t-tony]

If you get the kit you will get 4/5 grades of wet/dry emery paper. Use lots of water to lubricate. After the first pass you will think you have ruined the light completely. As you use finer and finer grades of paper you will realise that it is working. By the time you have used the polishing liquid you will wonder what you were worrying about Paul.
The second one is a piece of cake.

Tony.

 

[Dalek]

If you get the kit you will get 4/5 grades of wet/dry emery paper. Use lots of water to lubricate. After the first pass you will think you have ruined the light completely. As you use finer and finer grades of paper you will realise that it is working. By the time you have used the polishing liquid you will wonder what you were worrying about Paul.
The second one is a piece of cake.

Tony.

OK. Will give it a go.

 

[Zephyr]

Just remember. Feather with the sandpaper. NEVER and i repeat NEVER push hard.
The lower the grit the less you push to the lens.
trust me you can do it.
start with 800 constantly spraying water on the paper and the lens, then go 1.000 then 1.500 then 2.000 and finally whatever scratch hard polish paste you have. Or get the 3M kit.
just DO NOT PUSH HARD.
Even my wife who has two left hands did it and said it was easy.

 

[Dalek]

Ordered the autoglym restoration kit.
Dreading going near the car with an abrasive disc though!
But then, if any damage done is repaired for less than £1925.28 it is still cheaper than 2 new lights from BMW!

 

[t-tony]

One tip for you mate, is get some 2" blue painters tape and mask the area well around the headlight, bumper etc. so you can't accidentally contact it either the disc. Blue tape comes off much easier than normal white marking tape. The spray you use when claying is good fir lubricant if you have some.

Tony.

 

[Dalek]

One tip for you mate, is get some 2" blue painters tape and mask the area well around the headlight, bumper etc. so you can't accidentally contact it either the disc. Blue tape comes off much easier than normal white marking tape. The spray you use when claying is good fir lubricant if you have some.

Tony.

Thanks Tony, get get both those.

 

[Lee]

I looked at the polishing kits but was informed it only lasts about a year.
My lights seem to have some crazing in the plastic as well.View attachment 246763View attachment 246765View attachment 246767

After you've used the polishing kit give the headlights a coat of lacquer and they will stay shinny for years to come.

 

[ZEDonist UK]

Would people recommend using a UV stabilising lacquer after polishing?

 

[ZEDonist UK]

@Lee bloody good timing there Lee! Pipped me to it by 1/2 a second!!!

 

[t-tony]

The Turtle Wax polish I use has UV protection in it.

Tony.

 

[AntStark]

https://zroadster.org/threads/will-this-polish-out.53799/. Not Z but did wonders on my sons heavily scratched polo headlights

 

[Dxbolton]

Or buy a set of used headlights.
I have a pair available