Product to Remove Headlight Lens "Fade"

[llll1l1ll]

Hey,

Anyone know of a product that will remove the "fade" of the plastic headlight lens? Mine are all foggy/faded. I heard maybe 3M or Meguiars makes something like this. Just wondering if anybody here knows.

Pete

[Newjack]

Hey,

Anyone know of a product that will remove the "fade" of the plastic headlight lens? Mine are all foggy/faded. I heard maybe 3M or Meguiars makes something like this. Just wondering if anybody here knows.

Pete
Pete,

I used some very light sandpaper, starting with 800 grit wet sandpaper and worked my way up to 1500 then 3000 while using some buffing compound. It turned out ok but it wasn't perfect. Some people here have used a 3M kit which seemed to work really well.

To be honest, I just ponied up the $70 and bought new ones from khoalty. They look fantastic and since it is a wear item that I replace every 2 years or so I don't mind getting aftermarket since the figment and everything is spot on.

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[Avetiso]

It's not worth the trouble, Pete. Buy new ones, either OEM or aftermarket, and get clear wrap for protection.

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[poke08]

How do the khoalty lenses compare to OEM? I've been on the fence about the khoalty lenses for some time now

[Avetiso]

How do the khoalty lenses compare to OEM? I've been on the fence about the khoalty lenses for some time now

Everyone says fitment is excellent. Get smoke or clear laminx wrap and they will last you years.

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[Trans]

The best way to restore headlight lens is wet sanding, and a good polishing. But it is the most work. Could be a 1-2 hrs work depending on how bad the lens are. If you already have a polisher and pads, just get an assorted set of 3M sand paper for $5. The lens will look almost new after some elbow grease.

Here's one I just did on an E90. I used 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 grit wet sanding, and Meguiars polish.
http://i58.tinypic.com/15rmxoy.jpg

If you dont have or dont want to buy a polisher. Then the 3M restoration kit is pretty good. But also will require some elbow grease.

The easiest and quickest restoration kit I've used is the http://ez1brand.com/. Doesn't required wet sanding. Just clean the lens with the supplied "de-oxidizer", then apply the liquid polymer. The result is excellent, but won't last long like the wet sanding method. In a way, you're just hiding the defects with the coat of liquid polymer.

Here's the result of the EZ1 kit on my pop's truck.
http://i57.tinypic.com/e5prtu.jpg

[Trans]

How do the khoalty lenses compare to OEM? I've been on the fence about the khoalty lenses for some time nowI have them because mine was damaged. It won't beat OEM quality. But it is still excellent quality and fitment. By feel, it might be tad thinner than OEM, but you cant tell the difference by visual. At almost half the price, no reason not get them over OEM.

[Lanister]

It's not worth the trouble, Pete. Buy new ones, either OEM or aftermarket, and get clear wrap for protection.

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+1

[Newjack]

I have them because mine was damaged. It won't beat OEM quality. But it is still excellent quality and fitment. By feel, it might be tad thinner than OEM, but you cant tell the difference by visual. At almost half the price, no reason not get them over OEM.

I have khoalty lenses and they were (from what I recall) identical to OEM. I'm sure OEM are a little bit nicer but in this instance I really couldn't notice a difference.

[ELCID86]

3m kit worked well on my Accord. I've heard having them sprayed with clear after will help prevent re-fade. Lamin-x might also help.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[llll1l1ll]

Some great responses in here! Got my wheels turning. Thanks so much!

[fredo]

Does Khoalty provide a DIY guide ?

[330i ZHP]

DIY guide for cleaning/wet sanding or replacing?

[330i ZHP]

new oem lenses are about $80 each

[fredo]

Interested on the DIY for replacement.

[Avetiso]

Interested on the DIY for replacement.

Super easy. Pop out lower trim, undo clips for lenses, and replace.

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[ELCID86]

If it's a sedan, then replacement is a good option.

[Stewbie]

I used a kit to refinish mine. It was a lot of work. I think I posted some before and after pics in the dyi section.

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[ranger]

I had my car in the shop for other work and paid $50 for the shop to do it. They look like new (for now).

[E_Rak]

DIY guide for cleaning/wet sanding...?

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?10023-DIY-Headlight-restoration-%28w-pictures!!%29-doityourself

Problem with doing this, is that yes, the lenses come out looking great, but it still remains that the plastic is beginning to degrade due to its age and the fuzziness will come back. Long term option is to just buy new lenses.

[fredo]

Super easy. Pop out lower trim, undo clips for lenses, and replace.

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Thank you !

[poke08]

new oem lenses are about $80 each

Where did you find OEM lenses for that cheap? Lowest I've seen the ZKW lenses is around $100ish/each side

[Stewbie]

ECS Tuning has a wide selection of lenses. Prices vary depending on production date and brand. http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/Lens/

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[poke08]

ECS Tuning has a wide selection of lenses. Prices vary depending on production date and brand. http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/Lens/

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Thanks. Whats the difference between the ZKW and AL lenses? and would I be able to use AL lenses to replace my ZKW lenses?

[Stewbie]

Thanks. Whats the difference between the ZKW and AL lenses? and would I be able to use AL lenses to replace my ZKW lenses?

I think the ZKW's are the xenon headlights and thus the AL's are probably regular halogens but I wouldn't swear to this. Can anybody confirm?

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[Avetiso]

I think the ZKW's are the xenon headlights and thus the AL's are probably regular halogens but I wouldn't swear to this. Can anybody confirm?

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AL can be xenon as well. They both fit either lights from what I hear.

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[gmurphy]

AL can be xenon as well. They both fit either lights from what I hear.

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I can confirm this. The AL lens will fit the ZKW Headlight. I got the magneti marelli lenses from FCP Euro. They are the AL OE supplier.


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[poke08]

Gotcha. I just placed an order for the Khoalty lenses so we'll see how well those hold up.