Headlight restoration advice - 2008 BMW X5

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rudetrini

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Hello,


Looking for advice on how to restore the headlights on my 2008 BMW X5.


My driver side headlight has some light scratches at the top and I would like to get rid of them.


Any advice on what sandpaper grit to start off with and what procedure I should use?


Not sure which headlight restoration kit would be suitable as well.


I have a Griots Garage DA.


Link to pics:

rOTlydE.jpg


LI2tA0v.jpg



Thanks in advance!
 
Start with 500 grit sand paper. Then move up in grits to 800, 1200, 2000 and finally 3000. Afterwards you want to use a compound polish followed by a finishing polish.
Then it is really important you apply some form of UV protection, either by clear coating the headlights or applying a paint coating, or sealant.

When sanding, make sure to use wet and dry sandpaper and use it wet. The first step with 500 grit could be done dry but all the other steps should be wetsanding ones.

If you have questions, I am sure most of us will be happy to help out.
 
Thanks!

Would I need special plastic polish/compound?

I have Wolf Gang uber compound, swirl remover and glaze for paint already.
 
I'd start with a light polish first. Start with the least aggressive method first.

Also it looks like it may be the start of crazing in the lens.
 
I can't link to it but if you google headlight lens crazing then select images.
 
think this wha we do
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Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
 
Hi, welcome to AutoGeekonline!

First and foremost, start with the least aggressive product to get the job done. In your case I would start off with 3000 grit sandpaper attached to a drill and run it over the top of the lens where the affected areas are. After that follow up with the wool pad and polish and see where that gets you. If need be you can make a second pass with the 3000 and see if that removed the affected areas. After two rounds of doing it this way and it does not come to your liking then you can drop down to 1000.

As only the top of the lights are affected, I would only use the 1000 on the top edge if need be. After that you can sand the entire lens with the 3000 and compound out with the wool pad. REMEMBER, when sanding with either the 1000 or 3000 you are removing more plastic headlight material than just by compounding with the wool pad. The rate at which you remove material is dependent on what sanding discs is utilized. Also, tape off all surrounding paint.

Meguiars Heavy Duty Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit, Meguiars G3000, headlight polishing kit, severe headlight polishing kit, how to polish

You can also use this kit for protection.
Meguiars Perfect Clarity Headlight Restoration Kit
 
Looks to me that there are areas of that lens (a majority of that lens?) that wouldn't need sandpaper. Save yourself some trouble and be conscious of not working backwards. 3k wet sand lightly on just the larger scratches and then a fine polish over the whole thing? Depends on your goals. Were it mine, I might lean toward improvement over complete correction to preserve whatever UV protection is intact on a majority of the lens. Totally understand if you want it pristine, though. Just remember that you'll need to keep it protected afterward.
 
Thanks for the advice guys!

Would a regular polish like wolfgang uber compound work, or should I get something geared towards plastic headlights?
 
rudetrini said:
Thanks for the advice guys!

Would a regular polish like wolfgang uber compound work, or should I get something geared towards plastic headlights?
Click to expand...
As a final polish you could even try Meguiars PlastX. It cleans up my lenses nicely.
 
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