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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > De-oxidizing Headlights



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      09-23-2009, 11:23 PM   #1
vexx786
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De-oxidizing Headlights

Does anyone know of any good way of de-oxidizing headlights without buying anything? I probably will end up buying a lens restoration kit, but just wondering if there are any ways of removing it with "household" items. I read somewhere water and vinegar might work, but I don't want to ruin my lights...
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      09-24-2009, 12:18 AM   #2
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Without buying anything.........hmmmmm, I dont think so. If you have a magic wand around that might work.......Seriously here is the best and most professional way to restore yellowed, cloudy and dull headlights.....I created these videos showing the 6 step technique that I employ for a flawless finish.....Those kits you buy at the auto parts stores could never reproduce what a pneumatic will do.





Hope this helps you....
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      09-24-2009, 12:51 AM   #3
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Actually there is a kit that u can find on amazon made by 3M. it works pretty well. All u need is a electric drill and u can get professional result with the kit. The kit has instruction and everything u need besides a drill. It's like 15 bucks fairly cheap. Check it out.
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      09-24-2009, 08:05 AM   #4
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I was actually looking at the 3m kit and planned on getting, I saw it at autozone for around $12, and from what I have read, it seems to do a pretty good job.
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      09-24-2009, 11:38 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Innovative Detailing View Post
Without buying anything.........hmmmmm, I dont think so. If you have a magic wand around that might work.......Seriously here is the best and most professional way to restore yellowed, cloudy and dull headlights.....I created these videos showing the 6 step technique that I employ for a flawless finish.....Those kits you buy at the auto parts stores could never reproduce what a pneumatic will do.





Hope this helps you....
Dave @ Innovative
That is stunning!
Nice!
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      09-24-2009, 03:30 PM   #6
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water and vinegar won't do much... haha

i read somewhere that people have had success with 1500 grit, 2000 grit, or anything finer sandpaper. then follow up with meguiar's plastX or just some plastic polish
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      09-24-2009, 05:35 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by kei169 View Post
That is stunning!
Nice!
Thanks Kei!


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      09-24-2009, 10:19 PM   #8
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Just to clarify, vinegar dissolves calcium deposits from hard water -- in other words, it's for cleaning hard water stains, like on your windshield.

When your headlamp lenses are cloudy, it's not from hard water, it's from being pitted by dirt and road grit. They need to be polished, preferably by machine. As SpecC pointed out, you could sand first with a fine grit and then polish by hand, too. But no matter how you tackle them, it won't be with "household items." You'll need to buy a few things.
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      09-25-2009, 01:18 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BK View Post
Just to clarify, vinegar dissolves calcium deposits from hard water -- in other words, it's for cleaning hard water stains, like on your windshield.

When your headlamp lenses are cloudy, it's not from hard water, it's from being pitted by dirt and road grit. They need to be polished, preferably by machine. As SpecC pointed out, you could sand first with a fine grit and then polish by hand, too. But no matter how you tackle them, it won't be with "household items." You'll need to buy a few things.
As I mentioned before it takes more than just one pass of fine grit sandpaper to cut this job. First you start with a more aggressive grit sandpaper to remove the aged UV coating which has failed.Then you must reduce the sand scratches and pig tails left from that paper. So you would go up in grit reducing the amount of scratches as you go. If you want clarity, you MUST use a 5-6 step system, otherwise the single scuff and polish will still be dull.

Its no different then removing surface defects on a vehicles paintwork. First you start with something aggressive if necessary and finesse up to eliminate scratches, swirls and halograming.

Dave @ Innovative
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      09-25-2009, 08:57 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Innovative Detailing View Post
As I mentioned before...
Didn't mean to offend, was just referring to SpecC's post. Your videos are excellent and show the whole process on some really badly pitted/yellowed lights.
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      09-25-2009, 09:30 AM   #11
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Great advice already on this thread, for some more reading here's another read on restoring headlights.

George
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