anyone done this? cleaning the interior potion of the 98 headlight to look clear and clean.

I have the same question. Did you ever find out how?

They sell a kit on Bavauto called PolyClear Plastic Refinishing Kit. Can't seem to direct link to the product.

Get rid of scratches and yellowing in your plastic headlight covers. Now you can restore both the appearance and safety of your BMW¹s plastic headlight systems, almost to original condition. The kit includes a special restoration compound called PolyClear, plus applicators and buffers that work with your power drill to renew your headlights in a matter of minutes. Also great for motorcycle windshields, boat windows, bimini tops, acrylic skylights and more. (Tip: after restoring your headlights, install our urethane headlight shields to prevent further damage and to give them a "like-new" appearance.)

http://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_detailpage.cfm?product=PlastX-Clear-Plastic-Cleaner-&-Polish&sku=G12310&sectionID=15101

you don't necessarily need something as specialized as that - I used 1000 grit sandpaper followed up with medium cut 3M rubbing compound on my headlight covers and it did wonders

I've also heard of people having good results with metal polish

I think they're asking about the interior. However, cleaning the exterior will help things a lot as well, if its pitted or scratched.

The interior is another matter. I don't think there's an easy way to do it, but you can remove the headlights and then bake open the lenses and clean it like that, then re-seal the lamps with some clear silicon or something. If you can find the instructions for installing angel eyes, then it's similar to that.

I replaced my entire headlight units with AE's and Xenons. I put my old headlights and tailights into a box. Maybe I'll look at cleaning them at some point just for the hell of it since I dont know what else to do with '98 stock hedlight/taillight assemblies.

I started refinishing my old ones last night with sand paper. 400 grit, 1800,2500,3200,4100,6000,8000. What a pain in the ass. still not finished yet.

They sell a kit on Bavauto called PolyClear Plastic Refinishing Kit. Can't seem to direct link to the product.

Get rid of scratches and yellowing in your plastic headlight covers. Now you can restore both the appearance and safety of your BMW¹s plastic headlight systems, almost to original condition. The kit includes a special restoration compound called PolyClear, plus applicators and buffers that work with your power drill to renew your headlights in a matter of minutes. Also great for motorcycle windshields, boat windows, bimini tops, acrylic skylights and more. (Tip: after restoring your headlights, install our urethane headlight shields to prevent further damage and to give them a "like-new" appearance.)


Yes I'm gonna need to see more pics of your E34!

I started refinishing my old ones last night with sand paper. 400 grit, 1800,2500,3200,4100,6000,8000. What a pain in the ass. still not finished yet.

I found that starting out with 600 grit then working up to 1000 grit was all it really needed - took me about 30-45 minutes per housing

Just to be safe (and make it easier to sand) I just remove the headlights completely - also keeps you front accidentally scratching the paint

They have a commercial for something that is ALWAYS on spike tv, i forget what its called.... Its this thing that goes on a drill and it polishes and buffs it, in the commercial they do it to some cars headlight..... looks like it works, but ill post again when I figure out what its called, its something like __________ polish and buff ball...

no need to spend money on something like that - wetsand paper and rubbing compound work as good or probably better on the outside

I bought a "kit" from Permatex to restore my headlights. It DOES NOT work as advertised. I would have just used sandpaper and McGuiar's but I couldn't find McG's anywhere. So after using this kit my lights looked like crap and I thought I ruined them.

Finally, I found some McG's, applied it (with drill buffer), and relief set in as I could see the clear light covers again.

My only question is - how much is too much? I have them buffed out and they look good, but I have seen other posts where the covers sparkle. Should I go a couple more rounds with buffing or do I risk damaging the covers? :alright

I was reading a thread a couple of weeks ago the headlight lenses are available on E Bay at times.
Is there a trick getting the lenses off besides undoing the clips on top and side?
Has anyone tried a BMW dealer to find out what they cost?