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E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
- Zed Five
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2290
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:58 pm
E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Not much to do today, so I decided to sand down and polish up my headlights. After 3 and half years and over 100k miles, they were starting to look shabby.
(and before anyone comments, I then cleaned the engine bay! ).
Before:
After:
They need a second pass really. I then did Mrs Five's Golf. They were worse to start with, but the result was much better! I need to do the Zed again now.
Really easy with some 500/800 discs and cutting compound.
(and before anyone comments, I then cleaned the engine bay! ).
Before:
After:
They need a second pass really. I then did Mrs Five's Golf. They were worse to start with, but the result was much better! I need to do the Zed again now.
Really easy with some 500/800 discs and cutting compound.
Why is it that people who can't take advice always insist on giving it?
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
- Dale_B
- Member
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- Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:22 pm
- Location: Northumberland
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Good results, big improvement.
It's not until you compare old/new you realise the big difference.
It's not until you compare old/new you realise the big difference.
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- Member
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- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:50 am
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.
When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.
When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?
- BrianD
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1017
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:42 am
- Location: Here and there, but mostly Edinburgh
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
What a transformation, I think I will have a go at doing mine next weekend!
70 plate Z4 M40i - Alphine White, Magma Red trim plus all the toys and an OAP behind the wheel
Gone 62 Z4 35is sDrive Auto in white with 169K miles
Gone 62 Z4 35is sDrive Auto in white with 169K miles
- andysat
- Lifer
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- Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:52 pm
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Wow 100k?-how is your front end paint doing?
Gone but not forgotten.
New ride silver e93.
- R.E92
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:10 am
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Great results. You should do a small DIY.
Is there any way of getting into the light to clean it?
I actually have a fly inside mine.E89_Gaz wrote:They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.
When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?
Is there any way of getting into the light to clean it?
-
- Member
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 8:50 am
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
No way to get inside enough to clean the lens but I wonder whether removing the headlight, pouring in a dose of IPA and swishing it around might do the trick? There again, it could end up being a very expensive mistake
- Zed Five
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2290
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:58 pm
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Send in a ladybird?R.E92 wrote:Great results. You should do a small DIY.
I actually have a fly inside mine.E89_Gaz wrote:They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.
When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?
Is there any way of getting into the light to clean it?
Why is it that people who can't take advice always insist on giving it?
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
- Zed Five
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2290
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:58 pm
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
I used a bosch electric drill on quite a low speed. It can be done by hand, but the drill makes it easy to get good resultsE89_Gaz wrote:They look much better
Do you have any dust on the inside? In the dark with the lights on, I am sure I can see dust on the inside of the lens.
When you say 500/800 disks, did you use a DA or similar to rub them down or did you do it by hand?
Why is it that people who can't take advice always insist on giving it?
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26218
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Did you seal it with something to avoid it deteriorating quickly?
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- pvr
- Legend
- Posts: 26218
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 12:27 pm
- Location: South East UK
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Looking very good by the way.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3
Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo
- Zed Five
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2290
- Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:58 pm
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Did a last run over with the polishing pads with a little wax. It wont last, but a quick cut once a month should keep them fine.
With the mileage racking up I'm not too precious about it. The front end paint still looks good, thats why I chose grey. Very forgiving.
With the mileage racking up I'm not too precious about it. The front end paint still looks good, thats why I chose grey. Very forgiving.
Why is it that people who can't take advice always insist on giving it?
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
E89 35is | BMW S1000rr Motorsport Ed.
- Bushido
- Member
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- Joined: Sat May 22, 2010 6:09 pm
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Excellent job. Will keep it in mind when I need to do the same.
- Brasseye
- Member
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- Location: Surrey
Re: E89 headlight refresh done today (pics)
Great job takes miles off its looks.