[arctic330i]

I posted a thread about how to fix sun damaged headlights, not the yellow tint, but rather a bubbling and "scratched" look. I bought a Maguires headlight restoration kit, and had no luck, then tried grade 600 sandpaper, wet, and sanded the damage down to a smooth finish then buffed it with the headlight kit's drill attachment, overall it had a great effect! Hope that helps anybody with that problem!

[Neutrino45]

thanks for sharing! this should be moved to the diy section.

[arctic330i]

Thanks! It took me a while to figure out so I hope it helps some people, MODS can you move this?

[datbimmerdoe]

great job.

[bob.g]

3m sells a good kit for restoring the lens. Mine are pitted so i was contemplating doing it, but i read that ours have some uv protection that willcome off if its sanded so im considering just sticking with them as is

[arctic330i]

Originally Posted by bob.g

3m sells a good kit for restoring the lens. Mine are pitted so i was contemplating doing it, but i read that ours have some uv protection that willcome off if its sanded so im considering just sticking with them as is

I had a feeling I was sanding off a layer of something, but mine was pissing me off as it was on the drivers side

[Nedim]

so 600 sandpaper and wet the lights?

[arctic330i]

Yep, 600 and dip in a bowl of soapy water, warm or cold, then sand to your hearts content on the area needed. Dry periodically to check if you've done enough to fix it so you don't sand too much, then buff it!

[Nedim]

Is the first photo how it looked like before? my lights dont look like that. Its kind of hard to describe but when they are on they look weird

[arctic330i]

Yes that's the before, i don't know what to think about your lights, I know that nobody could help me with my lights till I tried this, so maybe try it...

[bob.g]

Originally Posted by arctic330i

I had a feeling I was sanding off a layer of something, but mine was pissing me off as it was on the drivers side

worse case scenario, if that uv protection is the real deal (ive read about it but dont know if its true), you might just find yourself having to rebuff them from time to time to get rid of the hayze/discoloration. Mine are like little specs in the lens. u dont see them much from a foot back but up close it becomes obvious, so im not sure whether to do it or not. My fogs are the same.

www.cellunlockcode.com/eb-bb3/IMG_0165.jpg
www.cellunlockcode.com/eb-bb3/IMG_0166.jpg

[arctic330i]

Yeah, I don't mind a simple buff every now and then. It's not to hard.

[cb1111]

Sanding the lenses down does remove the UV protection.

The damage is generally caused by a bit of sandblasting (following too closely) damaging a part of the lens that then just gets worse.

For the US, all exterior lighting units must pass a two year "weathering test" but that does not require a lighting unit to withstand external damage.

That said, once the UV coating is damaged and you've sanded it down, the lens is now susceptible to fairly rapid damage.

While technically illegal (it is illegal to have any cover or film over an external lighting unit,) the best solution is to cover the headlight with clear film such as lamin-x. That will provide protection and is easy to replace should it get damaged.

Of course, the best way is to prevent damage in the first place.

[misterba]

Well, UV protection is damaged already, so to sand it down and buff it is a good idea since it would get only worse. And use the film as suggested will do perfect job I guess. I will do same with my lights too. Thanks.

[doggiedog]

Someone recommended using toothpaste as it's a mild abrasive. I tried it out on my brother in law's MDX and Accord and it worked. The glass was clear again.

[scrufy]

Originally Posted by doggiedog

Someone recommended using toothpaste as it's a mild abrasive. I tried it out on my brother in law's MDX and Accord and it worked. The glass was clear again.

+1
We used to use toothpaste back in about 1990 to buff out the windshields on our sportbikes.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Wow... havent seen many E9x's with sun damage to the lights

[arctic330i]

I tried toothpaste but this was more damage than that could handle haha. But toothpaste works, it cleans up those "yellow" lights.

And paulbailey, neither have I. I looked forever trying to find somebody with the same problem but nowhere did I find someone.