ben g said:
Bumpy said:
ps ..I would highly recommend you reduce those hockey puck side indicators ...
http://s1266.beta.photobucket.com/user/jafxdwg/media/Z4%20Exterior%20Mods/IMG_0165_2.jpg.html?sort=3&o=7
i like this idea. how did you set about doing that?
A visit to Palantirion and Scatha. Actually his site has been an ongoing inspiration and I can't thank him enough.
http://mymcoupe.com/CosmeticMods.htm
Mod #36 ...Look around his site for more inspiration.
Suddenly I discover how ugly the fender indicators are and how gorgeous Scathia looks with trimmed lenses ...
I can do that ...
With a hack saw and masking tape as a cut guide ...
Careful cutting ..chip out the remaining lens' with wire cutters, true the base with sand paper on the table, some JB Weld carefully applied ...
Damn just too easy and does it ever look great. Works just as good too. Thanks again Palantirion !!!!
An easy mod, but you have to take your time ...
1. Remove side marker lens. Twist and pull - They come right out.
2. Disconnect the bulbs. - Be careful not to let the wiring harness fall into the fenderwell (tape in place)
3. Retire to work bench and locate supplies.
A Hacksaw with a fine blade (or Dremel Tool).
Some masking tape.
Epoxy / JB Weld.
A sheet of fine sand paper.
4. Mask the circumference of the lens with the tape. I sliced the lens in half and used the tape as my layout / cut guide. I covered the outer most part of the lens (including the BMW Rondell) to protect it from any damage or scratching.
Important: Mark a reference point on the base and rondell portion to assist on proper realignment when you glue the lens back together.
5. Take a deep breath and begin to cut the lens in half. I held the lens in my hand and scored a shallow cut around the circumference using the edge of the masking tape as my guide. Once 'scored' then I continued to cut deeper around the circumference until I parted the lens from the base.
6. If all is well so far ..You should have a lens cut in half !
7. The half with the rondel still attached needs to be trued . I taped a sheet of fine sandpaper to a flat surface. Oscillating the rondell half of the lens until flat.
8. The remaining base of the lens needs to have the redundant lens removed from the base. The lens is comparatively brittle and I used some wire cutting pliers to snap portions of lens away from whatever adhesive BMW had used. I just cut into it with perpendicular 'relief cuts' and the rest just snapped out.
9. Inspect the plastic base and true as necessary on the sandpaper. When satisfied it is flat take note of the previously maked alignment marks and hopefully you haven't rubbed them off.
10. I masked off the base to protect it from glue slop.
11. Steady hand and maybe a tooth pic glue swab. carefully apply a reasonable bead of epoxy to the joint. Press both sides together. I used some more tape to align the halves and elastic bands to provide pressure.
12. Retire and wait til the glue sets up (24 hours with a few interim 'inspections to confirm things are as you want them.
13. Next day ..Remove all the tape and elastic. You might have some glue smear on the outside. I cleaned that up by scraping with a knife blade and sandpaper ..But once installed you can't see the base anyway.
14. Reinstall ...The stock bulb fits perfectly even in 1/2 a lens. Alignment of the rondell should not be an issue if you marked it as I mentioned.
15. Drive away with that self assured grin of a Zed Owner who has just improved on what all those BMW Engineers should have done in the first place.
Actually the mod was easier than the explanation. I would not go more than half way, just because you have to have enough lens left to get a good grip on it when you reinstall ...
There is still lots of light emitted so the side marker functions as intended ..
Cheers and Good Luck
Bumpy
