The ultimate US Spec Plastic Headlight Cleaning Thread

[Bernanke]

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[Stück]

Seems like alot of work when you can buy them in mint used condition for $50. Also seems like alot of work when they will return to their prior state in a few weeks.

It all seems like alot of work for a parts car? Maybe I'm confused.. but he actually drives that?

PS.. I just now read your post. Sorry, extend to him my condolences.

[M3/4 LIFE]

was that car under water????? :confused nice job on the headlights.

[Kaiv]

Could you elaborate on how to nicely paint the vanos cover like that ?

thanks !

[Robstah]

Could you elaborate on how to nicely paint the vanos cover like that ?

thanks !

You can tell by the overspray on the valve cover bolts that he just taped around it and covered the rest of the engine bay with paper/cloth and just sprayed away. I recommend removing it, spraying the whole thing, and then replacing the valve cover gasket while you are at it.

[///MTree]

Nice job on the lights. Is the hood itself rusted or is it oxidized? It looks like it is oxidized but it seems like the edges have completely lost the paint. A little elbow grease and it should be up to shape =D.

[smuggler]

What is Plastic X rated for as far as heat? Almost any clear lacquer isn't going to last long at all in front of a light bulb and a wax would be even worse. You would have been better off just sanding it to 10,000 grit.

I have done it before. Go 600, 1000 wet , 1500 wet, 2000 wet then switch to 10,000 grit paste. The stuff I used was blue. It feels like toothpaste. Use a soft cloth to apply it like you are waxing a car. Do not apply a clear coat over it! At 10,000 grit it will be crystal clear and super smooth.

The only thing I WOULD spray on a plastic lens like that would be a UV protectant that they use for motorcycle windshields. It will keep it from yellowing in the Arizona sun.

[asdfbunk]

Wow, those turned out fantastic.

The engine looks great too. What process did you use to clean the engine bay?

Thanks.

[MeFryRice]

I just don't understand how he was actually getting any light through the covers in the first place, I'm sure he loves driving at night now that he can actually see the signs and such. I'm not going to hate on his car, like you mentioned before, not everyone can afford "nicer" things in life and at least he's being part of the BMW family!!


BTW, did you take off his front bumper cover or is his just missing? If he doesn't have one then everyone, lets through in a couple bucks and try and find this man a used bumper that way at least he has 95% of his car!

Oh yeah, you did a heck of a job on those lights.

[upperguy]

If you have a compressor, I would put out some money on a spray gun and learn to paint on that bad boy. Worst case, you would get some drips/orange peel. If you were near PA I would say come out because I have always wanted to learn but never had a donor car.

Props on keeping Karma on your side though;) I always help people out as much as possible and I like to think it pays off.

[steve99m3]

That's an impressive transformation on those headlights!

[Hugo]

Mad props. What's with the hood??? Is that faded paint or rust? :eek:

[Patrón]

nice job on the lights,
paint the whole car flat black :buttrock

[WA///M]

phenominal work my friend!!! its nice to know this forum has people like you willing to extend your help....really man its awsome of you to help somone out!!!

Keep it up and if I ever have anything for sale that you want remind me of this situation and I'll give you a super super discount!

[The Letter M]

This guy is doing something quite honorable that many young folks wouldn't bother doing, he's actually getting a car that he wants & is willing to put the work into making it the car he really wants.

Others might go get a loan & a ricer ride....

Kudos to him for taking on the project, and I think this is the best way to really appreciate any car, put a ton of work into making it what it is, and then respect the amount of work that went into getting it that way, by keeping it in great shape.

He has a fair amount of work ahead, but with friends like you who are willing to help out, he'll get there.

Good for you SB for helping the guy out!

Nice post, by the way.

[Kaiv]

yes. First, take off both engine & fuel rail covers, then sand down the vanos cover with 60 grit, then 150 grit sand paper, then get Duplicolor's Low gloss black engine enamel. Mask off all the neighboring areas with 3M blue painters tape & newspaper, then do two light coats followed buy one medium coat. It comes out looking really good and its a good strong durable finish. Makes it looks like the newer M52 engines with the black vanos covers. Hope that helps.

Definitly helps, thanks for your explanations !:redspot
I will be doing that on my crappy looking cover :buttrock



You can tell by the overspray on the valve cover bolts that he just taped around it and covered the rest of the engine bay with paper/cloth and just sprayed away. I recommend removing it, spraying the whole thing, and then replacing the valve cover gasket while you are at it.

Good eye! thanks for the advice, I think I might just do like SupaBimma for now and we'll see how it comes out :)

[L3000C]

just did this on my camry, and DAM!!! the road is sooo much brighter now, no joke i couldnt see shit before, and now i feel like the lights are actualy doing something! I am very happy i ran across this thread. Btw i used brasso right after i wet sanded to 1,000 Grit. It seems to hold up good so far. Ill have to go find 10,000 grit sandpaper, and some of the meguiers stuff, but homedepot didnt carry anything past 600grit, and 1,000 Harbor Frieght had. Maybe autozone.... thanks bro!

[drsides]

how long does this whole procedure take?

[ultimachi]

Hmmm.....paint looks like Byzanz. :D

Anyways, that's awesome that he knows someone like you to get this done for him.

[Tim95M3]

looks great... Its good to bring out the new in an old car..

[mkiv98]

please update on this project! i like things like this

i started with a crap M3 that didnt run and now its nice :)

perhaps just sand off all the paint and run with bare metal like the delorean? that would be pretty unique/badass

or a homemade flat black. havent seen anyone do that on these!

ps. i did the same thing to my headlights except with 3m Rubbing compound (but without any sanding)

before:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/mkiv98/cb53faea.jpg

after:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/mkiv98/IMG_0173.jpg

still looking for a lip, grill, foglights, and a few other things :)

anyone got a driver side brake duct?

[mkiv98]

not really, didn't take much work at all. why waste $50 when u can do it for about $5. Its not a parts car, its a car that he drives, yes it drives and believe it or not it drives increadibly well. its mechanically bulletproof, just needed some TLC thats all. Remember not everyone has alot of money. I don't hold it against people who cannot afford a nicer car so lets not be judgemental and at least be supportive of him (dunno maybe im just nicer than most bmw drivers i guess). I just wanted to show all the E36 guys who are wasting lotta $$ on trying to find "mint" headlights that EVER car has a set of mint headlights already on them just waiting to come out ;) (cheezy I know but you get the point).

maybe find a wrecked M3 parts car and start swapping over! then again, those things arent essential unless you really really want it

[wyldbil]

SupaBimma- BIG props to you. You're a good guy and a good friend to your bud. If you have a lot of patience, look into the $50 paint job for his car. You never know!

[The Ripe Punani]

After seeing this my respect for you has multiplied infinitely.

I will definately keep this guide in mind when I clean my headlights over winter break (next week!).

Not related but on a side note: Can anyone recommend any good HID or HID-like bulbs that fit in the standard US spec headlights? I'm looking to upgrade the brightness without dumping too much on a complete HID/Xenon kit.

[giterdone]

After seeing this my respect for you has multiplied infinitely.

I will definately keep this guide in mind when I clean my headlights over winter break (next week!).

Not related but on a side note: Can anyone recommend any good HID or HID-like bulbs that fit in the standard US spec headlights? I'm looking to upgrade the brightness without dumping too much on a complete HID/Xenon kit.

best you can get is hid matched bulbs, which in my personal opinion, reminds me of ricers, trying to act like they have something they don't. Only way to get HID bulbs is to get projectors. Well you might be able to wire them into non projector lights, but you will just be scattering light, and be a dick to everyone on the road.

Contact Matt @ Umnitza
email: info@umnitza
username: umnitza

He can steer you towards hid matched bulbs, just nice brighter halogens, or tell you about different projectors (with or without hids).

[The Ripe Punani]

best you can get is hid matched bulbs, which in my personal opinion, reminds me of ricers, trying to act like they have something they don't. Only way to get HID bulbs is to get projectors. Well you might be able to wire them into non projector lights, but you will just be scattering light, and be a dick to everyone on the road.

Contact Matt @ Umnitza
email: info@umnitza
username: umnitza

He can steer you towards hid matched bulbs, just nice brighter halogens, or tell you about different projectors (with or without hids).

Sweet. Thanks dude. +1

[downeaster1]

I've seen that car on the forums before. Soo much potential

[Zero11534]

I am going to be cleaning the headlights on my E46 sometime this weekend and I have been going though the post to see what other's have accomplished with their BMW's and I want to tell you Fantastic job. I agree with you helping him out I detail cars for my buddy's that go to school, work full time and have a family, they surely can not do it and if ever BMW Owner helped one another out and kept them all running well then the resale value’s on the cars would be even better not to mention it brings a community feel. Once again Nice JOB and I will be following the 1 guys advice after talking to the Chief Mech at RPM motor sports because he does it a similar way and he said the Plastic X was almost as good as the 200 dollar stuff he has (that sad to say I can't afford; if could then I would do everyone’s CAR for free). Why Pay 50x2 and shipping when you can do it for 5 dollars and 2 hours of time.

Ps. On that hood if you are going to repaint it use a couple of base coats of primer our hood are notorious for pealing, Tell him to keep on working and trying hard I have been down where he is and he still has a nice running car!!!! Very Impressive on the Motor once again nice Job man! Good looking out for your friend! You can do a lot with that car. Trust me I have been redoing mine since I bought it!!

[dcskate102]

go for the $50 flat black paint job like i did for my explorer http://a276.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/34/l_9920a97fc6b12da58c8f8f68784b1cb3.jpg (http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=16702596&albumID=339199&imageID=17693922#a=339199&i=17785887)
allows me to park places for skateboarding that im not supposed to be :shifty

[GacAttack]

This guy is doing something quite honorable that many young folks wouldn't bother doing, he's actually getting a car that he wants & is willing to put the work into making it the car he really wants.

Others might go get a loan & a ricer ride....

Kudos to him for taking on the project, and I think this is the best way to really appreciate any car, put a ton of work into making it what it is, and then respect the amount of work that went into getting it that way, by keeping it in great shape.

He has a fair amount of work ahead, but with friends like you who are willing to help out, he'll get there.

Good for you SB for helping the guy out!

Nice post, by the way.

Major +1! We need more Hank Reardens not Wesley Mouches!

[Butler]

DAMN! You brought those head lights back from the dead. You did a great job on the engine bay too. Im really impressed.

I cleaned my Nasty E36 Headlights yesterday, and they came out "ok" I was honestly expecting some better results, but the problem may have been the amount of time I put in to sanding them. After just reading this thread, I might give it another go. :)

Over all A+ Good work man.

[joe91985]

Great job on those lights, and like most have said on here good lookin out for your bro. I agree that we should all help one another out in all aspects of life... other wise we should all be hermits. I did the restoration kit stuff to mine (sanding and a clear liquid to seal/protect) and they turned out the same! I'm impressed with how many people drop a bunch of cash for new lights when like you said new ones are already on the car!

[Drexial]

DAMN! You brought those head lights back from the dead.

Speaking of bringing things back from the dead.... this is 2 years old.

[RRSperry]

Cleaning the US spec headlights is still like putting lipstick on a pig. (oops, I forgot, you can get in trouble for saying that now. Sorry Sarah...)

[Bene36m3]

Ur good.

[TheArtofEuros]

great job on the new set of eyes....they look brand spanky!

[GacAttack]

Cleaning the US spec headlights is still like putting lipstick on a pig. (oops, I forgot, you can get in trouble for saying that now. Sorry Sarah...)

At the risk of the ban, I say that Sarah it a HOT candidate. I mean come on, a VP candidate, great body, little attitude, and can handle a machine gun. Not saying anything about policitcs one way or the other, but she is HOT in my book.

[Dispatch20]

Great job on those lights, and like most have said on here good lookin out for your bro. I agree that we should all help one another out in all aspects of life... other wise we should all be hermits. I did the restoration kit stuff to mine (sanding and a clear liquid to seal/protect) and they turned out the same! I'm impressed with how many people drop a bunch of cash for new lights when like you said new ones are already on the car!

I've wet sanded and polished up a few sets of plastic headlights over the years. They look great at first. However, they yellow and dull again within months. The problem seems to be that the plastic softens with age and dulls very fast once its ten years old.

I put in glass ZKW's w/ stonguard and I never looked back.

[Later Alligator]

at the price of the euro headlights its not even worth trying to repair the crummy factories

[I hump my M3]

Hey boys,

I had never seen an E36 with cataracts before, this was a first).

Rofl thats what happened to mine night driving was so bad I had to pull the trigger on some ebays they ok so far wish i'd seen this thread a month ago.

[dok528i]

shit that really work i am doing it next sunday


p.s at least the kid has a 6 banger i am rocking a 4 lol:mad:mad

[SkyylineGTR]

Could you explain to me what you used to clean the engine bay and how you dried/cleaned it afterwards. I want to do this, but am afraid of water getting stuck in certain areas.

[JETninja]

I spray mine all the time for years...I just cover my Intake (cause its a big cold air box with some slots on the top alum cover) with a large Target plastic bag, wet it down, and either spray some Engine Cleaner or Simple Green all over, then use a real old sponge I keep for such things and wipe it all down after a soak....then hose it off. Done it with every car/bike I've owned in the past 33 years.....

[Bai Hu]

Awesome work SupaBimma. I know I'm a few years late, but I've been surfing the forum ever since I picked up my 2006 330XI this past week 12/29/08 is my start date. Do you have any recommendations for buffing out a windshield? The previous owner must've gotten some grit/salt on under the wiper and I'm trying to find a way to salvage it before I have to get a new windshield.

Thank you for all of your information and dedication.

[CABimmer]

The trick is to put on headlight protectors. OE lights with 117k miles

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r168/cabimmer/Picture031.jpg

[M///BMW]

Great job of restoring...But I'd just buy some new headlights from DDM...