Hey everyone,
So originally i was going to go with a whole new headlight set up but due to lack of funds i may end up sticking with my stock headlights for awhile longer. My question is how can i clean them up? They look very old, which they are, and one is fogged up. I was gonna try pulling them off and taking them apart to repaint the inside and clean the plastic lenses. Then i was planning on using lamin-x to finish up the headlights.

Any tips as to cleaning the lenses or painting tips? What not to do? I'm new to bimmerforums and to my car so id like to DIY as much as i can so any helping hands will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys/girls!

-Speed

If the lenses are oxidized you can take them to a body shop and get them buffed out. On my old volkswagen i had very oxidized lenses and they buffed them for just under 40 dollars i think. Made a HUGE difference. The car looked better and was safer because the lenses were actually blocking some of the light.

Don't know if youre having this problem, but look into it if you are

If the lenses are oxidized you can take them to a body shop and get them buffed out. On my old volkswagen i had very oxidized lenses and they buffed them for just under 40 dollars i think. Made a HUGE difference. The car looked better and was safer because the lenses were actually blocking some of the light.

Don't know if youre having this problem, but look into it if you are
40 bucks, i need to do this on the side, thats pretty much a ripoff! it takes 10 minutes on each 15 minutes each headlight for a compound, a polish, and then a wax or sealant

if you can, save up for some depo's.....they are not too much $$$ and not only will they look far better, you will actually be able to see better at night

it just seems like too much effort to spend cleaning the stock lights.....
i bet for $40 you could buy some good used stock lights as well

thanks everyone for the quick responses! Ill be looking into some depo's as euro96 suggested but i think i will also pull my headlights out, if not just for the experience since lighting and wiring has always confused me. Plus I just had my wisdom teeth pulled so ill be stuck at home anyways.

My plans so far i think are:
1. Pull headlights out, pull off lenses, buff and polish
2. Repaint housing inside of headlights, obviously with heat resistant paint
~ Im probably just going to paint it black again but what do yall think of color matching? My car is mauritius blue...
3. Finish it all off with smoked lamin-x

That reminds me, I'm definately going to go with lamin-x, do u think i shoud just get clears and then add the lamin-x? That way if i wanted clears i cud just pull off the lamin-x...

dont lamin-x the stock plastic...i bet on pitted plastic it wont look good
and stock lights with smoked laminx you wont be able to see

What if I got oem glass but kept the lights stock and added lamin-x? Would that work?
Thanks for the heads up euro96!

Stock lights are ugly. Even in the brochures, they looked ugly.

People complain about oem stock headlights all the time.I think the oem BMW stock lights were a lot better then most car manufactures.

You should check out the new apexcone headlights at understeer.com ... start at $115 and you have the option to add on to them. Seems like a really good deal and understeer seems like a good company to do business with.

You should check out the new apexcone headlights at understeer.com ... start at $115 and you have the option to add on to them. Seems like a really good deal and understeer seems like a good company to do business with.

I was actually just on understeer, they do seem like a good company, i just wish i new the differece between apexcone and depo... I may be putting in an order for depos but i may end up waiting until i know the real difference between apexcone and depos.

So to anyone who reads this, What is the difference between apexcone headlights and depo's? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks again to all the responses,
-speed

40 bucks, i need to do this on the side, thats pretty much a ripoff! it takes 10 minutes on each 15 minutes each headlight for a compound, a polish, and then a wax or sealant

I dont remember exactly the cost, they did a very good job and it definitely took mor ethan 15 minutes. It was at least three stages of buffing and then the polish and stuff. I tried a few different things myself, none worked. I dont feel ripped off at all. And thats ancient history anyway

Speed,

glad you got the wheels ok, polished em up as much as i could before shipping.

Give Chris a call @ Understeer. I've gotten both of my last set of headlights from him, excellent customer service and he'll take the time to explain the differences.

There is a headlight restoration kit that claims it'll make it look new.
I haven't tried it yet but if you decide to get it tell me how it works out.

If theres condensation inside your headlights just open the hood and let it sit through the day but i'm guessing that your headlights are just old and don't look clean

Hi, go to you local motocycle show and get PLEXUS cleaner. this is the stuff originally made for fighter plane canopys and is great for any plastic cleaning. Works great and will not attact dust etc.

honestly all that work for stock headlights, its not worth it
i would spend the 100 bucks and get some DJ auto headlights from habbie or a vendor.
you will end up paying half that just fo fix up the stock headlights.

o and please post pics of your mauritius blue :D
such a hot color.

Meguire's PlastiX works wonders; check ur local AutoZone for a $5 fix. ;)

Again, thanks to everyone for responding, this thread has been a great help to me! Ive been laying low for awhile since sailing has been taking a hefty chunk of the few dollars i had to begin with but over thanksgiving break I'm going to order clear corners, tails, and new apexcones from understeer.com.

UNBOOSTED,
Thanks a bunch for the wheels, they came packaged extremely well and were quite clean aswell. U were a great person to do business with for my first purchase on bf.com! I'll be making my purchase from understeer as soon as I can! Btw, ur new wheels look great.

E36PWR,
Ur car is A-Mazing! haha I absolutely love it! It's been a great inspiration to me. Ill post pictures as soon as I take some. Right now the car is bone stock and dirty... :( As soon as I begin to add more of my own "signature" ill definately take a bunch and post them up!

To everyone else,
Thanks for the suggestions, I cleaned them up a bit (so that they are once again clear) and am waiting to purchase all new lighting!

lol im glad you like it, you ever decide what you wanna do with your headlights>?

Meguire's PlastiX works wonders; check ur local AutoZone for a $5 fix. ;)

I second the Meguiars PlastiX, it works well. If you have an Orbital type of machine it would save some arm work.

Yea I'm gonna go with new lighting throughout. All from understeer i think. Clear corners, which i may paint/tint, tails and apexcone headlights with ae's. Thats probably it for the lights at the moment. Honestly tho, I need a turbo!! haha

So to anyone who reads this, What is the difference between apexcone headlights and depo's? Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks again to all the responses,
-speed
the spread on apexcone lights is bad compared to depos

If I was on a budget I would definetly buy some DJ Auto s from Habbie for around $100.00 before apexcones.Just my .02 worth