Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E53) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Today's Posts New Posts

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-17-2010, 06:37 PM
jst2878's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: The BIG Apple
Posts: 3,218
jst2878 is on a distinguished road
Headlight Lens Refinishing 101

went out to the X today and started wet sanding the 9 year old headlight lenses. Buying a new pair of oem headlights is way too much at this point. I went with the simple 600,1000,2000grit and meguiars Plastix. For 30.00 Im on my way to better lights.Here is a before pic:


I just sprayed water constantly on the headlight and ran through each grit using a single diagonal stroke throughout. each grit I changed the angle in which I sanded. Im only halfway on this next pic. Maybe some 3000 to finish it and then more plastix polisher.

__________________
2001 X5 4.4i WHITE-Loaded like a baby's diaper SOLD

Last edited by jst2878; 03-17-2010 at 06:51 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-17-2010, 06:44 PM
nom3rcy's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 860
nom3rcy is on a distinguished road
Nice results!

Make sure you use a UV-protecting sealcoat on them now that the OEM coating is gone.

Opti-Seal is a good one
__________________
12 X5 M - 06 X5 4.8iS - 03 X5 4.4i - 03 M5 - 02 X5 4.6is - 99 M3 Dinan S3 - 98 M3 - 92 850i-6 - 92 850i - 91 325ix - 89 M3 2.5 - and a few parts cars
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-17-2010, 06:47 PM
mrbmwx5's Avatar
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Brownstwn,Michigan.
Posts: 4,794
mrbmwx5 is on a distinguished road
Man that thing turn out GOOD.
I have no luck with 3M kit.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-17-2010, 06:50 PM
jst2878's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: The BIG Apple
Posts: 3,218
jst2878 is on a distinguished road
Thanks! Im going to put on the headlight film by 3m. something real thin should do the trick, probably cost 59.99 for the pair but well worth the protection. Altogether this was under 100.00 with all the material and the 3mfilm. Tom I looked for the 3m kit to see what was in it. Just decided to buy pieces of paper different grit and work my elbows.
__________________
2001 X5 4.4i WHITE-Loaded like a baby's diaper SOLD
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-18-2010, 09:30 AM
jst2878's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: The BIG Apple
Posts: 3,218
jst2878 is on a distinguished road
I would give this a 2 out of 10 on a difficulty scale.
__________________
2001 X5 4.4i WHITE-Loaded like a baby's diaper SOLD
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-18-2010, 10:00 AM
RichiRich's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,531
RichiRich is on a distinguished road
WOW! Justin! Very impressive...Tom and I have discussed this topic a few times and how in the process, individuals shit the bed and ruin their lenses. Man you nailed it!! Big time!!!

The lady in white is going to be in tip top for June!!! Cant wait man!

Rich
__________________
Richirich
***YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD MODJUNKY MAN***
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-18-2010, 11:40 AM
jst2878's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: The BIG Apple
Posts: 3,218
jst2878 is on a distinguished road
Tip Topless that is
__________________
2001 X5 4.4i WHITE-Loaded like a baby's diaper SOLD
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-18-2010, 12:06 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Clifton NJ
Posts: 342
LightWerkz is on a distinguished road
Nicely done.
__________________
2006 4.4i
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-18-2010, 04:43 PM
faz faz is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 553
faz is on a distinguished road
__________________
Currently driving: 2011 E70 x35i , 2011 E90 335d
Previous BMWs: 2007 E90 328i , 2005 E53 3.0i, 2011 F10 535i (6spd manual)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-18-2010, 10:16 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 45
mele4nyc is on a distinguished road
I had one of my headlights replaced after a minor fender bender. I used the 3m kit this summer on the other headlight and had similar results. The 7 year old headlight nearly matched the clarity of the new one. The difference is only slightly clearer when you turn the lights on and see some blurring when you look at the projector, other than that I was very happy with the results. Took about and hour of sanding with the drill though, so you will need some patience.

Amazon.com: 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System: Automotive
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:37 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.