Fogging headlight lenses

S

Scott S

Member
 Banbury
I have a 2003 Z4 and when I bought it (August 2017) it foggy headlight lenses. I've tried a lot of things to clear them but nothing has worked. the last 2 things to try is pay £100 for someone to sand my headlights or buy new ones.

The last one buy new ones. Does anyone know where I can get new ones but not pay through the nose for them.

Scott :driving:
 
When you say foggy, do you mean condensation or the actual glass/plastic is kinda not clear anymore?

If the later, don't they call that oxidisation?

Go with me here......toothpaste!!!!

[youtube]eJDFFF9sxIE[/youtube]

And this is free!!!! Use normal toothpaste and your partners toothbrush :roll:

Loads of videos on youtube.

Can buy stuff in halfords as well.
 
If toothpaste doesn't work, rub lenses with wet'n'dry paper (Mask off surrounding paintwork then start with 1200 grit and use a few grades up to 3000 grit) but only rub in one direction(horizontally) ,then rub over with a headlight lens clarifier solution and buff off. When you first start it will scare you as it seems like you have buggered the lenses, but they come out like new after about 30 mins each side.
 
My 2003 Z4 headlights were really, and I mean really badly oxidised, one of my neighbours sorted the with very fine wet & dry and then a buffer and some paste (fine cutting compound?) and they look like new now. He also used a sealant afterwards to ensure that remain in good nick for as long as possible.

Prior to this I used toothpaste, solvo autosol and brasso! All worked, however I had the best results with brasso. Ideally a good couple of coats of wax after any of the above should keep the lenses looking good for a few months before another clean is needed.
 
ihadablackdog said:
When you say foggy, do you mean condensation or the actual glass/plastic is kinda not clear anymore?

If the later, don't they call that oxidisation?

Go with me here......toothpaste!!!!

[youtube]eJDFFF9sxIE[/youtube]

And this is free!!!! Use normal toothpaste and your partners toothbrush :roll:

Loads of videos on youtube.

Can buy stuff in halfords as well.
Click to expand...

The plastic isn't clear anymore.
 
You can try the DIY methods mentioned above, or outfits like Autoglym have h/l restoration kits which aren't that expensive; I did my lights a few weeks ago and they've come up like new. However one of the units has deterioration on the inside of the plastic which obviously you can't get to without cracking the unit open, so that's a little annoying.
 
Just take care if you use any kind of power rotary attachment when buffing, use a low speed and some lube as the lens heats up and can discolour the inside surface if you go at one spot too long. I did mine with a kit and sealant which has held up well.
 
As above mask area well and use a kit really easy to do yourself suggest either auto glym or 3m kit and follow the instructions results are spot on and I certainly would not pay someone to do such a simple job good luck :thumbsup:
 
+1 for the 3M kit mine went from this:

Hazy Headlight.jpg

To this in about 45 minutes per side. You use a battery drill - so as not to go too hard and just follow the instructions.
 

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Hi All

I've do it.

T-cut and a buffering drill head.

Process: spray the headlight, just clean it off. Apply t-cut. Leave it to dry. Then use buffer head on cordless drill. This is to clear it off.

Did it three times on each light, if need be, then voila "job done" :thumbsup:
 
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