Has anyone used a Headlight Lens Restorer?

BostonMike · 11-15-2011, 09:20 AM

You know like the one 3m makes. There are a bunch out on the market now. I was wondering if anyone has done it and did it make a huge difference? My headlamps are in pretty good shape but my fogs are pretty pitted and was thinking of trying it out.

luster · 11-15-2011, 09:23 AM

Read these bro, this is how the professionals do it;

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...n-50-50-a.html

also check this: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...its-thing.html

I researched for a very long time, and by far, these look like the best methods for head light repair.

rdub315 · 11-15-2011, 09:25 AM

I used the 3M kit on my winter rat about a year ago. I am pleased with the results - the headlights on my '98 Subie were a disaster (very cloudy and scratched up), but they came out looking like new after the treatment. And it was easy to do.

username604 · 11-15-2011, 10:27 AM

Get the kit by turtlewax. It's half the price and I've used 2 kits on 2 cars already with good results. The $ 8.50

hwa786 · 11-15-2011, 10:28 AM

i used the headlight restoration kit by mothers i believe....its easy and does the job right!

MCOChuck · 11-15-2011, 03:17 PM

I used the 3M kit and was happy with the results.

BostonMike · 11-15-2011, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I may pick up a kit and try this weekend.

jphughan · 11-16-2011, 01:32 PM

Have you thought about just covering your lights in VentureShield? Once that gets pitted or if it ever gets discolored (shouldn't be for at least 3 years) you can just remove it and have a new layer installed. May as well get your front bumper and mirrors done while you're at it since BMW uses such soft paint. Just got those 3 things done on my car, and you can't even see it if you're 2 feet from the car and know that it's there. It was $540 for everything for me, but hey it's cheaper than replacing headlights or getting a new bumper and having it repainted. I just wish I'd gotten it sooner since my lights and soft-painted bumper already had little dings after 6 months....

RupertPupkin · 11-16-2011, 01:36 PM

3M kit worked great on my dad's Benz. Definitely worth it and worth taking your time to do it right. Looks 95% as the day he bought it.

2001 with heavy yellowing before.

BostonMike · 11-19-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jphughan

Have you thought about just covering your lights in VentureShield? Once that gets pitted or if it ever gets discolored (shouldn't be for at least 3 years) you can just remove it and have a new layer installed. May as well get your front bumper and mirrors done while you're at it since BMW uses such soft paint. Just got those 3 things done on my car, and you can't even see it if you're 2 feet from the car and know that it's there. It was $540 for everything for me, but hey it's cheaper than replacing headlights or getting a new bumper and having it repainted. I just wish I'd gotten it sooner since my lights and soft-painted bumper already had little dings after 6 months....

I probably would have but I bought the car used and there was some pitting already. I couldn't justify spending 600 bucks to protect what was already pitted. If the restoration on the fogs comes out nice I may do the headlights too then put some protection over it.

BostonMike · 11-19-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revelation19

I use Meguiars 105 (polishing compound) on my orbital with an orange pad. Works great on paint for removing swirls, and works really well on headlights. Make sure to apply some sealant and wax on your headlights after polishing.
So, no need to buy a product limited to headlight applications.

I wouldn't mind trying but my orbital broke. Christmas is right around the corner, now I have something to put on my list.

11-15-2011, 09:20 AM	#1
BostonMike Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 238 Posts Drives: Black 335 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Methuen iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 M4 [0.00]	Has anyone used a Headlight Lens Restorer? You know like the one 3m makes. There are a bunch out on the market now. I was wondering if anyone has done it and did it make a huge difference? My headlamps are in pretty good shape but my fogs are pretty pitted and was thinking of trying it out.
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11-15-2011, 09:23 AM	#2
luster Major 57 Rep 1,092 Posts Drives: e90, e88 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sydney AU, NJ US, TST HK iTrader: (21)	Read these bro, this is how the professionals do it; http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...n-50-50-a.html also check this: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...its-thing.html I researched for a very long time, and by far, these look like the best methods for head light repair.
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11-15-2011, 09:25 AM	#3
rdub315 Captain 75 Rep 650 Posts Drives: '07 E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Traverse City, MI iTrader: (8) Garage List 2007 E90 335i [10.00]	I used the 3M kit on my winter rat about a year ago. I am pleased with the results - the headlights on my '98 Subie were a disaster (very cloudy and scratched up), but they came out looking like new after the treatment. And it was easy to do. __________________ - VTT Stage 2 turbos, VTT inlets, Cobb Pro Tune (E30 and 93 octane tunes), MFactory LSD, 335is clutch, CSF radiator, slim fans, Walbro 255, AE exhaust, AA downpipes, ETS FMIC, Vishnu DCI, ETS charge pipe, Tial BOV, BMS OCC - H&R Touring Cup Kit, Apex Arc8, M3 style front bumper, MTech style rear bumper and diffuser
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11-15-2011, 10:27 AM	#4
username604 Colonel 124 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: repair shop iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [10.00]	Get the kit by turtlewax. It's half the price and I've used 2 kits on 2 cars already with good results. The $ 8.50
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11-15-2011, 10:28 AM	#5
hwa786 Lieutenant 59 Rep 508 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 328xi Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Metro Detroit iTrader: (0)	i used the headlight restoration kit by mothers i believe....its easy and does the job right! __________________ 2008 BMW 328xi Sedan - Montego Blue Metallic
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11-15-2011, 03:17 PM	#6
MCOChuck Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 328i xDrive M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 E92 328i xDriv ... [0.00]	I used the 3M kit and was happy with the results.
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11-15-2011, 10:30 PM	#7
BostonMike Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 238 Posts Drives: Black 335 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Methuen iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 M4 [0.00]	Thanks for the help guys. I may pick up a kit and try this weekend.
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11-16-2011, 01:32 PM	#8
jphughan Brigadier General 594 Rep 4,488 Posts Drives: '16 Cayman GT4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Have you thought about just covering your lights in VentureShield? Once that gets pitted or if it ever gets discolored (shouldn't be for at least 3 years) you can just remove it and have a new layer installed. May as well get your front bumper and mirrors done while you're at it since BMW uses such soft paint. Just got those 3 things done on my car, and you can't even see it if you're 2 feet from the car and know that it's there. It was $540 for everything for me, but hey it's cheaper than replacing headlights or getting a new bumper and having it repainted. I just wish I'd gotten it sooner since my lights and soft-painted bumper already had little dings after 6 months.... __________________ '16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up) Gone but not forgotten: '11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans \| Black Nov w/ Alum \| 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
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11-16-2011, 01:36 PM	#9
RupertPupkin Major 92 Rep 1,456 Posts Drives: Freak Beast Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: East iTrader: (5)	3M kit worked great on my dad's Benz. Definitely worth it and worth taking your time to do it right. Looks 95% as the day he bought it. 2001 with heavy yellowing before.
	Appreciate 0 Quote