Need new headlight lenses, anyone bought these?

[grannyknot]

The lenses on my headlights are pretty bad and instead of sanding and polishing I thought I might try theses,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133695608899
or
https://www.ebay.com/itm/114818578713

They look like they would do the job, anyone try them?
Thanks

 

[Motionblurrr]

You would have to dremel/cut off the current lenses on your headlights because the glue BMW uses on the Z4 doesn't soften when put in an oven. So if you get these lenses, you'll have to 'glue' them back on your headlights. At that point, the likely hood of your headlights trapping in moisture all the time is much higher due to the seals being broken.

 

[grannyknot]

You would have to dremel/cut off the current lenses on your headlights because the glue BMW uses on the Z4 doesn't soften when put in an oven. So if you get these lenses, you'll have to 'glue' them back on your headlights. At that point, the likely hood of your headlights trapping in moisture all the time is much higher due to the seals being broken.

Well it couldn't get any worst than it is. Some of that mess I managed to get off with alcohol but there is also rough plastic under it.

 

[ARCS]

I'd persevere with the sanding and polishing rather than butcher the headlights myself.

 

[Motionblurrr]

You would have to dremel/cut off the current lenses on your headlights because the glue BMW uses on the Z4 doesn't soften when put in an oven. So if you get these lenses, you'll have to 'glue' them back on your headlights. At that point, the likely hood of your headlights trapping in moisture all the time is much higher due to the seals being broken.

Well it couldn't get any worst than it is. Some of that mess I managed to get off with alcohol but there is also rough plastic under it.
IMG_0368.JPGIMG_0367.JPG

What is that? Paint? You did all that with only alcohol and rubbing? You could easily sand that down with various grits of sandpaper, to a fine sandpaper, then polish with like Meguiars Plastix and then coat the headlight with a UV sealant of your choice.

You’re probably already stripping off the layer of UV coating from the factory with the alcohol. Might as well sand it down.

 

[LittleZ4]

As above, work through the grits. Much better option than cutting them open. Plus if you're not happy with the results you can always cut them open afterwards

 

[grannyknot]

You would have to dremel/cut off the current lenses on your headlights because the glue BMW uses on the Z4 doesn't soften when put in an oven. So if you get these lenses, you'll have to 'glue' them back on your headlights. At that point, the likely hood of your headlights trapping in moisture all the time is much higher due to the seals being broken.

Well it couldn't get any worst than it is. Some of that mess I managed to get off with alcohol but there is also rough plastic under it.
IMG_0368.JPGIMG_0367.JPG

What is that? Paint? You did all that with only alcohol and rubbing?

There was old tinting film on them when I got the car, it was sun baked, some of the tint film came off with a hair dryer but all of the goo stayed on. I started with Methyl Hydrate (wood alcohol) and it works but very slowly, I had probably 3hrs into them and was getting no where so tried Lacquer thinner and that just made the goo smear so I tried Acetone, big mistake.
It cleaned up the goo nicely but then melted the lens, so the whole thing is entirely my fault and the lens is so rough now I really would have to start sanding with 320 grit and work my way up.
I have ordered a set of the ebay lenses to have on hand if the sanding doesn't work out.
In either case I have to pull the headlight units anyway so I'll wait until the Fall to tackle it.
Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Chris_D]

You just need to start out with a coarse grit and go 3 or four stages finer. You'll kick yourself for ever thinking about replacing the lenses once finished as imo that's a way harder task.

Removing the headlamp units is obligatory ofc.
I did a thread on doing my own around Oct '20 if you can be bothered searching for it. The key feature with my refurb is that I used a strong clear laquer to finish the job and over a year on they still look like I did them yesterday!
I used the 3M kit as well as some intermediate stages of sanding.

Edit: found the thread:
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=125218&hilit=headlight

 

[grannyknot]

Thanks Chris_D

 

[Southwestz4]

I fitted new lenses to my x5, z4 uses same fastening technique. You have to cut old ones off as the are not fitted with the usual flexible adheasive, worst bit is getting the remaining bits of lens out of U channel of headlight unit...be prepared for blood loss :!:
I refitted new lenses using a black mastic type sealant and they now look like new ...not sure how long they will last as they seem softer plastic than oem. I am going to treat them with Twenty 20 Crystalite coating from ABD ( auto bulbs direct )

 

[grannyknot]

I fitted new lenses to my x5, z4 uses same fastening technique. You have to cut old ones off as the are not fitted with the usual flexible adheasive, worst bit is getting the remaining bits of lens out of U channel of headlight unit...be prepared for blood loss :!:
I refitted new lenses using a black mastic type sealant and they now look like new ...not sure how long they will last as they seem softer plastic than oem. I am going to treat them with Twenty 20 Crystalite coating from ABD ( auto bulbs direct )

Thank you, hopefully I won't have to go that route.

 

[grannyknot]

Well, I'm wishing I hadn't been so fast with ordering those new lenses :roll: Anyone need new lenses cheap?
Pulled both of the headlight units from the car and started with 400 grit, then 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and then buffed with compound.
They still could use a bit more polishing but they will be fine for the summer, the whole front of the car is coming off this winter so I'll finish them up then.
Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[ARCS]

Well, I'm wishing I hadn't been so fast with ordering those new lenses :roll: Anyone need new lenses cheap?
Pulled both of the headlight units from the car and started with 400 grit, then 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and then buffed with compound.
They still could use a bit more polishing but they will be fine for the summer, the whole front of the car is coming off this winter so I'll finish them up then.
Thanks for setting me straight.
IMG_0425.JPGIMG_0433.JPG

Great job there

 

[Chris_D]

Great improvement!
To make the refurb last longer you could try spraying them with that Spraymax 2K clearcoat that I used.
Did you hand-polish or use a DA/drill?
Mine still look like I did them yesterday. Admittedly I've probably dome less than 2k miles since the refurb and the zed sits under a Stormforce cover these days but still, maybe worth it..