Tarnished Headlights

T

Tilly

Member
Hello

I have recently purchased a 2003 Z4 2.5 automatic. I've been very pleased with it but there are a few things I would like to improve. Both headlight units are badly tarnished. One gets a bit of moisture inside. Is it worth me trying a headlight restoration kit and if so could anyone recommend one. Thank you :)
 
To fix the moisture issue, look at replacing back panels (new ones come with new seals also) - £10 each, delivered free from Sopers. Just make sure the lights have dried out first so you don't seal the moisture in.

Regarding the tarnish, is that internal or on the external of the lens?
 
ranski said:
Jonny essex said:
Tilly said:
They are orange indicators
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Strange they have misted up then :scratchhead:
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probably the last owner changed one of the bulbs and unseated the rubber gasket, or its shrunk with age
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Yep, probably this. I changed a bulb in my last Z and ever since then always had a bit of moisture in the headlight.

I'd recommend meguiar's plastx
 
It looks as if there is a lot of tarnish on the outside of both lights. There may be some on the inside. It's difficult to see, because of the condition of the outside. I wondered how easy it would be to remove the headlights so I can get the back off, dry them out, re do the seals and restore the front of the lenses while they are out of the car? Thanks for the replys
 
Pretty easy, removing the bumper takes about 20 - 30 minutes the first time you do it. There is a guide on here. One thing I find useful is to mark (I use thin blue detailing tape) the headlight positions before taking them out.

If your seals are creased or cracked, I would get some more rather than risk using them again. If you do reuse the seals, I would recommend using some gummi pfledge on the rubbers to improve the seal and condition the rubber.

For your headlights I would also look at using one of the kits for taking the opaqueness off - its pretty common for these lenses due to salt and other crap off the roads. I bought a meguairs kit off amazon to do mine, then bought some lens protectors; been pretty good now for 2 years :thumbsup:
 
Cheers for all the advice, it's really useful. Just going out now to tackle the wiper issue then once that's sorted will move on to the lights. Will let you know how I get on and will send some photos. Thank you.
 
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