|
|
|
2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 Clear coat on headlights? |
|
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
01-04-2019, 11:14 AM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 48
Posts
Drives: '14 535i Msport, 99 M Roadster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
|
Clear coat on headlights?
I've got a 2014 535i and on one of the headlights it looks like a film or clear coat of some kind is starting to flake off. I really don't want to spend the $1,000's required to replace a headlight. Can these be "repaired" by doing the multiple step sanding and polishing process?
|
01-27-2019, 11:30 PM | #2 | |
Lieutenant
312
Rep 509
Posts |
Quote:
Another option is to buy a used headlight. If you get it polished, please post pics. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-28-2019, 08:56 AM | #3 |
Lieutenant General
9191
Rep 14,521
Posts |
I would start with a headlight restore kit and see how that works.
__________________
~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg |
Appreciate
0
|
01-31-2019, 06:33 AM | #4 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
587
Rep 1,907
Posts |
Quote:
They can be made quite a bit better with polishing, and there are variable quality re-coating products out there. I've had decent looking results from a kit with an aerosol top coat - don't remember the brand - used it on a friend's non-BMW car that was REALLY bad and they were just shooting for "better", not perfect. There are other coatings out there which are pretty much "the real deal" like Opti's Opti-Lens. The catch is the smallest quantity you can get that in will do about 50 cars I think. You'll get best results removing the light assembly from the car and working on a bench. You can ask in dedicated detailing forums too if you'd like to DIY. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
01-31-2019, 08:40 AM | #5 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 48
Posts
Drives: '14 535i Msport, 99 M Roadster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
|
Update
I got the coating off and used a headlight restore kit to polish. Not "like new" but acceptable. Passes the six foot test. Just can't justify the cost of replacing with new. Thanks for the input.
|
Appreciate
0
|
04-27-2019, 10:29 AM | #6 |
First Lieutenant
78
Rep 342
Posts |
The hard coat protects the plastic from UV degradation as well as making the plastic surface harder and more abrasion resistant. If you just polish the surface to remove the old hard coat and plastic oxidation, the plastic that remains is just going to degrade that much quicker. I would highly recommend putting a clear protective layer over the lens after polishing and something with UV protection built in... (I am a Plastics Engineer and did a lot of automotive stuff years ago.)
|
Appreciate
1
et700711.00 |
08-13-2019, 01:05 PM | #8 |
Colonel
1380
Rep 2,637
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-23-2019, 01:53 PM | #9 |
Lieutenant
253
Rep 565
Posts |
Alternatively you could just polish over the lens every time you polish your car with the same polish as used for the body (after lens restoration). Repeated, periodic polishing will help to retard uv related degradation over time.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|