Cleaning Projector Lense

Charles Martin · 12-01-2023, 01:57 AM

About to replace my xenon bulbs with Osram Night Breakers in the hope of achieving some decent lighting. Thought to try and clean the inside of the projector lense while the bulbs are out. Could one use say a cotton bud with surgical alcohol?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated

lnxguy · 12-01-2023, 05:48 PM

Don't even attempt it. The lens is clean already.

Charles Martin · 12-02-2023, 12:05 AM

Thanks for the feedback. For my own curiosity why do you say that

tcphoto · 12-02-2023, 04:15 PM

The lenses are sealed and anything you do can only smear or cloud it.

nthnthnthnth · 12-02-2023, 09:09 PM

The inside lens can be polished, but you won’t be able to reach it to do anything meaningful (and may make it worse) if you’re just taking out the bulb and not taking apart the entire headlight assembly to properly work on the lens. And if you’re going to do all that, you may as well just get new projectors so you’re also replacing the reflector bowl.

Charles Martin · 12-03-2023, 01:38 AM

Thanks for the info guys. Will just replace the bulbs and hope i get the improvement needed. From what i can see on the service history the current bulbs were replaced in 2014 so very possibly due for replacement

12-01-2023, 01:57 AM	#1
Charles Martin New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2010 325 e90 LCI Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Cleaning Projector Lense About to replace my xenon bulbs with Osram Night Breakers in the hope of achieving some decent lighting. Thought to try and clean the inside of the projector lense while the bulbs are out. Could one use say a cotton bud with surgical alcohol? Any other suggestions would be appreciated
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12-01-2023, 05:48 PM	#2
lnxguy Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2009 335D Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Barrie iTrader: (1)	Don't even attempt it. The lens is clean already. __________________ '09 335D
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12-02-2023, 12:05 AM	#3
Charles Martin New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2010 325 e90 LCI Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback. For my own curiosity why do you say that
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12-02-2023, 04:15 PM	#4
tcphoto Brigadier General 3537 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	The lenses are sealed and anything you do can only smear or cloud it. __________________
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12-02-2023, 09:09 PM	#5
nthnthnthnth Private 25 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: California iTrader: (0)	The inside lens can be polished, but you won’t be able to reach it to do anything meaningful (and may make it worse) if you’re just taking out the bulb and not taking apart the entire headlight assembly to properly work on the lens. And if you’re going to do all that, you may as well just get new projectors so you’re also replacing the reflector bowl.
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12-03-2023, 01:38 AM	#6
Charles Martin New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2010 325 e90 LCI Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info guys. Will just replace the bulbs and hope i get the improvement needed. From what i can see on the service history the current bulbs were replaced in 2014 so very possibly due for replacement
	Appreciate 0 Quote