a11y said:
x2
Orange removal from headlights. Options?
- Thread starter chris
- Start date
x2
a11y said:
Does this mean I'm not yet dethroaned?
peddy said:cj10jeeper said:
nope, I took it!
:worshipbmw:
Step forward, state your claim to the throne and if valid - it's yours
a11y said:
Yep - with memory too, so as soon should I ever lose it and need to reclaim, then 1 blip and it reverts to the correct position
Ultimate Shine
Member
scottbt said:Welcome on here Paul.
Yet another detailer onboard I see
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the warm welcome. I take it you have been detailing on this site for a while now?
Ultimate Shine
Member
Has nobody approached Hella for the clear lenses or will i go and ask the question?
Last time I went down this route, albeit related to a 1980's Jeep headlight seeking parts they referred back to Chrysler referring to patented designs between them. Can't imagine they'd risk a global relationship with BMW by supplying a few dozens internal parts.
Worth asking though.
More likely is to find an extrusion company that woudl run off a batch of 50 each side.
Worth asking though.
More likely is to find an extrusion company that woudl run off a batch of 50 each side.
Ultimate Shine said:scottbt said:Welcome on here Paul.
Yet another detailer onboard I see
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the warm welcome. I take it you have been detailing on this site for a while now?
Ive done a few through here not neccesarily all Z's but i just ended up being on for guidance more so
I was looking at this the other day, I too have obtained another clear set and have started cutting off the backs from them to leave a nice front lense and too take the clear insert out
Then comes the worrying part of cutting the existing xenon ones on the car and cleaning the channel up.... What I have noticed is there is nothing really stopping you taking a dremel and cutting out the headlight front without a donor set right infront of the seam, taking the amber reflector out and spraying it silver with that stuff that allows light through (build up coats) then glueing the front back on the light.
Costmetically the join would be undetectable even with the bonnot open as the headlight seams are way back when the headlight is installed back on the car. Has anyone tried this? I dont mind having a go at spraying silver an amber reflector just to see if it can be done for research purposes with testing and how much light it would let through? Obviously it wouldnt be 100% original look but I bet it would look a lot better than the existing amber! As for the seal it wouldnt be as strong but with some of that high power epoxy resin stuff that you mix I bet it wouldnt be far off and the fit would be exact even with a slightly wonky hand doing the dremel work.
Just a thought.... I am feeling the pain of cutting those damn lights open already been through 5 cutting discs on the dremel (well mines a draper copy)!
Then comes the worrying part of cutting the existing xenon ones on the car and cleaning the channel up.... What I have noticed is there is nothing really stopping you taking a dremel and cutting out the headlight front without a donor set right infront of the seam, taking the amber reflector out and spraying it silver with that stuff that allows light through (build up coats) then glueing the front back on the light.
Costmetically the join would be undetectable even with the bonnot open as the headlight seams are way back when the headlight is installed back on the car. Has anyone tried this? I dont mind having a go at spraying silver an amber reflector just to see if it can be done for research purposes with testing and how much light it would let through? Obviously it wouldnt be 100% original look but I bet it would look a lot better than the existing amber! As for the seal it wouldnt be as strong but with some of that high power epoxy resin stuff that you mix I bet it wouldnt be far off and the fit would be exact even with a slightly wonky hand doing the dremel work.
Just a thought.... I am feeling the pain of cutting those damn lights open already been through 5 cutting discs on the dremel (well mines a draper copy)!
Certainly the 'bodge' method of chopping the face off is do-able and I've seen it on other threads and I'm pretty sure the US company that adds AE's does that. For me I had to obtain a set of donors anyway for each of the several sets I've done, so it made no odds. I was certain of getting all the alignment correct and a good seal. Also done in such a way as I can take he fronts off again in 10 mins if I ever have to.
Spraying the amber silver - worth a try if you have time and spares to test on.
As for dremmels I've never broken a blade yet so you may be allowing it to bog down or pushing it too hard.. I run it at high speed and let the tool do the work.
Spraying the amber silver - worth a try if you have time and spares to test on.
As for dremmels I've never broken a blade yet so you may be allowing it to bog down or pushing it too hard.. I run it at high speed and let the tool do the work.
Thanks for the tip cj, the cutting disc doesnt break it just ends up not cutting anymore after 3 mins with a layer of melted plastic around it, which I then peel off but it then seems the edge is too shiny to cut the plastic properly. I then went and bought a small metal cutting disc attachement which seems to do a better job but is a lot slower. I will have a go at spraying the spare old ambers the top part of the clear insert is actually a chrome/silver on stock ones so I'll see what I can get to match that. Still figuring on the AE's will likely go with what you did, I am toying with the idea of LED versions and there is a company that produces some 80mm umnitza.com that have a glass piece infront of the LED's so you cannot see each individual LED http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8sVMB1mPf8&feature=related $160 for 4, quite pricey but its tempting.... not sure if I like the blue shade but they do a more white one or gold/yellow (like stock) for a few more $$.
For anyone who is interested, ive found a company who uses a film that will tint the whole headlight, and 99% of the light will come through and will not change the colour. I am going for a medium tint, which will take the orange out of it. Bit drastic, but seen a few done, and think they look really good on a light car. As i have silver headlight inserts they will shine through a tad.
Will post some pics up when they are done, but if all goes wrong will get some clear lense headlights if i must.
Will post some pics up when they are done, but if all goes wrong will get some clear lense headlights if i must.