[unrulyteach]

So I'm currently trying to restore a set of pre lci bi-xenon headlights that has paint on them. Any idea how I go about doing so.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

So I'm currently trying to restore a set of pre lci bi-xenon headlights that has paint on them. Any idea how I go about doing so.

Wet sand

[BashShah]

You know what......I had overspray on half of my car.
I bought 3m 2000 and even 5000 grit expensive sand paper.
Then one day someone told me, have you clay bar you car yet.

And with full running water and clay baring at the same time......wow.......it came right out.
So.....not sure how much paint you have with or without clear coat, I'd try the following in order:

1) Clay Bar.
2) Goo Gone.
3) Goof Off......(if this one works, and you have a haze, then you have to fill and polish)

4) There is one last option.... which is replacement of head light covers.
But if you are going to do this, then I would upgrade the AEs or Halos with Bright LED rings.
Try this on ebay: I was surprised to see it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172352583127...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Polycarbonate Headlight Lens covers fits BMW E90

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by DarkNemesis

You know what......I had overspray on half of my car.
I bought 3m 2000 and even 5000 grit expensive sand paper.
Then one day someone told me, have you clay bar you car yet.

And with full running water and clay baring at the same time......wow.......it came right out.
So.....not sure how much paint you have with or without clear coat, I'd try the following in order:

1) Clay Bar.
2) Goo Gone.
3) Goof Off......(if this one works, and you have a haze, then you have to fill and polish)

4) There is one last option.... which is replacement of head light covers.
But if you are going to do this, then I would upgrade the AEs or Halos with Bright LED rings.
Try this on ebay: I was surprised to see it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172352583127...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Polycarbonate Headlight Lens covers fits BMW E90

That was my thought to replace it he covers but then I don't feel like i could seal it back properly

[Matte90330]

Make sure you buy the lens for the xenon version they are much more expensive than the halogen version and the halogen lens won't fit.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by Matte90330

Make sure you buy the lens for the xenon version they are much more expensive than the halogen version and the halogen lens won't fit.

I was just thinking about taking it to a shop having them restore it for $40 but since I'm cheap I'm still thinking about it

[BeastMode335i]

I used the Meguiars kit this past weekend... Can definitely vouch for that..! Worked great..

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

I used the Meguiars kit this past weekend... Can definitely vouch for that..! Worked great..

U don't understand the previous owner painted to rid of the amber now I'm trying to get rid of that paint

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

U don't understand the previous owner painted to rid of the amber now I'm trying to get rid of that paint

Sand the headlights.

[tcphoto]

Wet sanding is fairly easy. You need to take your time then polish and seal. I just did the 3M kit and am happy with the results. The easy thing to do is to find a shop that does it on a daily basis. I just saw the lenses are available for the E92 at $175/set and will probably replace them eventually.

[avocet]

Depending on the paint a solvent might get it off, with minimal impact on the lens plastic.

Something like Goof-off might be able to get the paint off(unless it is an epoxy type paint...) without damaging the plastic(too much). Try a small test area and see. And if the area gets foggy just polish it out. Believe it or not Mother's mag wheel polish does a fantastic job for restoring headlight plastics.

[El Cheapo Loco]

I understand the restoration kits do not come with any UV coating to prevent the lens from hazing after a few months. So what do you guys use as UV coating after the restoration?

[opjose]

This looks intriguing, specifically the idea of using UV proof clear coat...

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

I used the Meguiars kit this past weekend... Can definitely vouch for that..! Worked great..

Yeap, I did mine over a year ago and came out great. I am due for another one actually.

[unrulyteach]

I used paint remover on one of them as it starts to bubble and lift the paint off as I go about sanding it down all the paint just cakes the sand paper and render it useless

[08TUNDRA]

Originally Posted by opjose

This looks intriguing, specifically the idea of using UV proof clear coat...

I've done this on a tundra 3 years ago they still look new

[GoRomeo]

If anyone is using the Meguiar's kind make sure is the heavy duty one.

[opjose]

Originally Posted by dmikhael619

I've done this on a tundra 3 years ago they still look new

How long did it take you to do?

How heavily pitted was the lens?

From the video it seems that the clear coat acts to fill voids/pits in the lens. Did you find this to be true?

The results look impressive, so much so given your experience I'm considering doing the same.

[fishbone]

From so many videos i have seen online, wet sand them, and after you are sure they are good to go, just give it one coat of clearcoat and make sure it doesnt yellow and UV protects shit whatever and you are good to go, this is the best option and i tried it on my z4, headlights were like brand new

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by fishbone

From so many videos i have seen online, wet sand them, and after you are sure they are good to go, just give it one coat of clearcoat and make sure it doesnt yellow and UV protects shit whatever and you are good to go, this is the best option and i tried it on my z4, headlights were like brand new

The paint cakes the sand paper

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Yeap, I did mine over a year ago and came out great. I am due for another one actually.

I'm guessing the reason you are due so soon is that you did not clear-coat. The sanding/clear coat works, and stays that way. I bought this kit for my E36 and the clear coat is great - sheets over the headlight. http://autoplicity.com/4248264-dupli...FQokhgodwKcCUA

One question I had is how to restore the headlights on the E90 when they have that protective film on them? I assume you have to get the film off first, but then how do you get the film off?

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by NGEE

I'm guessing the reason you are due so soon is that you did not clear-coat. The sanding/clear coat works, and stays that way. I bought this kit for my E36 and the clear coat is great - sheets over the headlight. http://autoplicity.com/4248264-dupli...FQokhgodwKcCUA

One question I had is how to restore the headlights on the E90 when they have that protective film on them? I assume you have to get the film off first, but then how do you get the film off?

I did. I followed all the steps as it says on the instructions. Not sure why I am due but they are starting to look a bit yellowish again.