Headlight restoration (internals) + clear bulbs

[ErrErrminator]

I have acquired a pair of facelift headlights in my mission to de-ginger my zed. Both require work to restore the lenses, which I have no problem with. One however has some discolouration of the chromed main beam reflector. I might be able to get a cotton wool bud in there with the bulbs out, but any other suggestions to clean these?

I did read a thread a while back about complete dismantling of the headlight internals, but I can find this now. Could anyone post a link please?

Although the facelift headlights have clear hockey sticks, they still have orange indicator bulbs - two each side. Has anyone found a suitable bulb solution to remove the orange look altogether?

 

[ranski]

No need to change the bulbs, just wrap the bulb holders in one way mirror film

 

[ErrErrminator]

No need to change the bulbs, just wrap the bulb holders in one way mirror film

I’d not thought of that, thanks. Is this film ok with any heat produced by the bulb, or within the light unit as a whole from the headlight bulbs?

 

[scott202]

I had clear indicators on my e85 front and rear,
You can buy indicator bulbs with a silver tint, have a look on amazon for Phillips Silver vision and similar.

 

[ErrErrminator]

I had clear indicators on my e85 front and rear,
You can buy indicator bulbs with a silver tint, have a look on amazon for Phillips Silver vision and similar.

I have Silver Vision bulbs elsewhere on the car. I thought I had read that they weren’t available in the bulb type used in the front indicators. Happy to be wrong on that though.

 

[ErrErrminator]

Having now had a closer look I see that the bulb is clear anyway. It sits inside an orange diffuser inside the clear hockey stick. Not sure there is any way to get at this without major surgery, so I might just put up with the orange. It’s a lot less obvious than the pre-facelift headlights they’re replacing.

 

[ranski]

Yes, its a cut open job to cover the orange bulb holder.

Youve probably already seen this, if not have a read https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2953

 

[ErrErrminator]

Yes, its a cut open job to cover the orange bulb holder.

Youve probably already seen this, if not have a read https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2953

Ah yes, I had read that but had forgotten the details. I have no intention of opening these up, so they’re staying as they are. Just a good clean up then fit to the car.