Used a Headlight Kit on the Glass

[David325e]

Broke down and bought a more expensive headlight kit to do the jap. vehicles in the driveway. While I had it out I decided to have a go at the lights on the e38. They're functional, but I remember seeing an e38 with new glass in a member's ride. Holy smokes did it make mine look terrible. I'll try to provide a brief rundown in case anyone else is interested:

The 1000 and 3000 grit pads made the biggest difference. They were almost too fine, the 3000 felt like a buffing pad on glass. But, they were great for removing dirt and etchings, including some sort of acid from when I ran into a bat.
The buffing with the drill and chemical made very little noticeable difference.

As the pictures show, they were MUCH better on the interior glass than the cover. I'd assume this is because the interior lights were just dirty, not physically damaged. The 3 step process was great here. To be honest, I'm going to consider trying it on the windows of a parts car I have.

While the cover is cleaner and more transparent, the defects remain. What shows in the second picture is thousands of those little chips/dents. To repair those I'm thinking of ordering a bottle of glass skim coat, the things windshield shops use for chips. From what I'm reading it should work like the classic nail polish trick, but actually fill in the pivots. I'll update when I do.

The second pictures are some plastic subaru headlights for those of you that have other cars. I'd tried a cheap Turtle kit in the past. But this Meguiar's big box was only $26, and had a much better layout.

Also, this thread has some other great ideas and PN's for headlights: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1891520&highlight=headlight

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2212_zps80032e64.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2215_zpsf2987322.jpg

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2213_zps7bb1ce3e.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_2216_zpsc3e3ca26.jpg

[Matty325i]

Wow, big transformation on the Subie!

[4liter]

DAMN!! That came out GOOD!!!!

[David325e]

Hah, thanks guys. Just figured it out on the tv monitor- what looks like scuffs on the subaru light are the clouds above my house :D


The difference in the 7's glass doesn't show at all on film. It wasn't that bad to begin with. But, I'll get a night light pattern picture today or tomorrow for y'all.

[740iSport303]

You need to remember, the lens on your E38 is GLASS, not plastic. Those headlight kits don't work on glass. You wouldn't use the headlight kit on your windshield either. 95 - 98 are glass while 99 - 01 are plastic.

[MrCi]

Yeah, you gotta replace the glass on the pre-facelift. I did it on mine, I think the glass was $25 and the gasket $5 or $10 from Autohauz. Made a world of difference!

[David325e]

You need to remember, the lens on your E38 is GLASS, not plastic. Those headlight kits don't work on glass. You wouldn't use the headlight kit on your windshield either. 95 - 98 are glass while 99 - 01 are plastic.

Right... I pointed that out. My point was that the almost non existent grit, and then polishing ball, included in this kit cleaned the glass very well.


Yeah, you gotta replace the glass on the pre-facelift. I did it on mine, I think the glass was $25 and the gasket $5 or $10 from Autohauz. Made a world of difference!

Yep. If a filler doesn't improve things then getting new glass, simply for aesthetics, will be on the list. I think realoem prices are only ~130 all together.