[stbradle]

Hey guys,

I just picked up a E92 328xi and the headlights and fog light lenses have some significant small chips (similar to hood chipping, but smaller).

I want to fix them using a headlight restore kit, but I think those kits are just for yellowed and crusted lenses. Will they work for my needs do yout think?

The lenses are still clear but I want them to be crystal clear, yet don;t want to damage them further. Thanks for your advice as always

[bmodzelewski]

youre right they are for yellowed lenses not really small chips the 3m one has 3 types of sand paper which you could use to feather out the chips but i dont think its recommended.... i wouldnt use it on mine

[stbradle]

Does this sound safe?

"Sand the lens. Start with a 320-grit wet sandpaper. Dip the paper in water and then sand the lens using small circular motions. Be sure to keep the paper wet as you continue to sand focusing on deep scratches or chips. Slowly move up in grits through 800, 1000 and 1500-grit wet sandpaper to refine the plastic creating a smooth finish.

| eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7377843_repair-chipped-polycarbonate-headlight-lenses.html#ixzz1PH4tYje4"

[axis]

You might want to try waxing them first. The wax may be able to fill in the small imperfections, and if not, its removable.

[nferber]

Originally Posted by stbradle

Does this sound safe?

"Sand the lens. Start with a 320-grit wet sandpaper. Dip the paper in water and then sand the lens using small circular motions. Be sure to keep the paper wet as you continue to sand focusing on deep scratches or chips. Slowly move up in grits through 800, 1000 and 1500-grit wet sandpaper to refine the plastic creating a smooth finish.

| eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7377843_repair-chipped-polycarbonate-headlight-lenses.html#ixzz1PH4tYje4"

320 grit sandpaper? That sounds like a mess waiting to happen. Most people use a rubbing compound to remove yellowing.

Since you are just looking to remove slight chips in the lights, I would say leave it. You will wind up sanding down a lot of the lights to remove little imperfections.

[bmodzelewski]

Originally Posted by stbradle

Does this sound safe?

"Sand the lens. Start with a 320-grit wet sandpaper. Dip the paper in water and then sand the lens using small circular motions. Be sure to keep the paper wet as you continue to sand focusing on deep scratches or chips. Slowly move up in grits through 800, 1000 and 1500-grit wet sandpaper to refine the plastic creating a smooth finish.

| eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7377843_repair-chipped-polycarbonate-headlight-lenses.html#ixzz1PH4tYje4"

you wont be able to get the finer scratches out by hand... youll have to use a drill for those... it works but youll have to sand away a good bit if you want to get rid of all the pitting on the lenses. i would just leave it and live with it

[JS82]

Those headlight restoration kits won't work. You'll have to wetsand your lights, to get perfect results.
I did my foglights recently, there were chips all over the place.
I started off with 800 grit sandpaper, if that doesn't help you can use 600 grit or even go down to 400 grit.
When sanding always make sure you keep everything wet (I used a spraybottle with baby shampoo and water).
Let's say you start with 800 grit, start sanding in straight horizontal lines.
After that you use a finer grit, e.g. 1500 grit and make vertical lines, then switch back to horizontal lines again with 2000 grit.
After that use some polish and buff your lights to remove haziness.
When you're done seal with a wax.
In order to prevent chips in the future I would highly recommend a head- and foglight protection kit (Xpel etc.)

[JaysBlueE92]

Save yourself the trouble and just order new ones

[stbradle]

Originally Posted by JS82

Those headlight restoration kits won't work. You'll have to wetsand your lights, to get perfect results.
I did my foglights recently, there were chips all over the place.
I started off with 800 grit sandpaper, if that doesn't help you can use 600 grit or even go down to 400 grit.
When sanding always make sure you keep everything wet (I used a spraybottle with baby shampoo and water).
Let's say you start with 800 grit, start sanding in straight horizontal lines.
After that you use a finer grit, e.g. 1500 grit and make vertical lines, then switch back to horizontal lines again with 2000 grit.
After that use some polish and buff your lights to remove haziness.
When you're done seal with a wax.
In order to prevent chips in the future I would highly recommend a head- and foglight protection kit (Xpel etc.)

Thanks dude for the advice and how did yours come out?

[stbradle]

Originally Posted by JaysBlueE92

Save yourself the trouble and just order new ones

That's too much to spend for such a simple labor job

[JaysBlueE92]

Originally Posted by stbradle

That's too much to spend for such a simple labor job

Not as simple as you think..have you ever seen pics of restored lenses in person? But hey it's your car if it's good enough for you then that's all that matters.

[AndreyT]

Headlight restoration, if done properly, will indeed restore your headlight to virtually perfect condition. This is a tedious process though, which works better if you use proper powertools and, of course, know what you are doing. Last time I checked, an Audi bodyshop in my area was doing professional headlight polishing for $30-60 per headlight, so you might decide to just take your car to a bodyshop. This can save you a lot of money compared to purchasing new headlights.

[xxxjecxxx]

I have used this kit. They sell it at walmart it's $10. I've used it on three cars in my family and the headlights came out like new. It comes with three grades of sandpaper and some lubricating solution to spray on while sanding. It also comes with a sealant.

I used it on mine for the same reason because of headlight chips, took them all out.

Here is what it looks like

[AWLE902008]

I have used these kits on my OEM headlights before I replaced them. It doesn't work that great. You will regret it . Buck up and buy new ones or aftermarket or used.

[yakev724]

No, stay patient and you will get a near-perfect result. Key is to keep going even after it appears it's completely past that step.

I recommend the 3M kit, though it's definitely not enough. At the very least, buy a powerball and meguiar's plast-X. Even better to find a local detailer with some fine pad/polish for a perfect result.

If you have pre-LCI halogens, do yourself a favor, save some time, and pick up LCI halogen housings on eBay as they pop up for cheap once in a while and will look 10x better and will be in good (chip-wise) condition.

[AWLE902008]

I tried everything you mentioned. Maybe you will have better results. Just depends on how bad your lights are to begin with. Good luck. Show us pics when you are done.

[dragazn]

if its just a chip don't bother doing it. Those kit will sand away the clear coat from your headlamp/foglamp. Yes you will be able to clear away those chip if you are doing a good sand job, however since the clear coat is gone it's going to get yellow lenses effect on faster. That mean you have to put wax compound on there every once awhile else your lenses will get that yellow old looks as time passes by.

[JS82]

Originally Posted by stbradle

Thanks dude for the advice and how did yours come out?

My foglights look like new again.
It was a lot of work but definitely worth it.

Before the process (driver's side):





After pictures (passenger's side, all the chips gone, what you see there is dust):

[yakev724]

Nice work. I'd recommend grabbing some 3m clearbra material for a few $$ on eBay for protection. Imo all lights should have it from the factory. When damaged, peel off and reapply new material.

[OwnAge]

wow im interested too my lights are pretty bad too

[Tzu]

I've used the 3M kits numerous times on friends' cars to restore headlights due to haze, they work very well and at $30, worth it to do.

With those chips tho, JS82 may be right and you may require some more sandpaper/time thats included with the kit. I'm sure the kit can do it some good justice though, but perhaps not perfect like the images above.

[JS82]

Originally Posted by yakev724

Nice work. I'd recommend grabbing some 3m clearbra material for a few $$ on eBay for protection. Imo all lights should have it from the factory. When damaged, peel off and reapply new material.

I bought the Xpel-Kit to protect the lights.