headlights

[TC535i]

Okay, before pictures of the lows and highs.

[632 Regal]

fall asleep?

[TC535i]

fall asleep?

Sorry, should have been clearer.

Headlights are at my parent's place, went down for the weekend. I'll be back down there next weekend, as I need to replace the radiator and waterpump on my 540i... too much play on the fan, and the rad sprung a leak from the side plastic resevoir. Gonna pick up my refinished wheels tho, so that's a big plus

I painted the headlights, we'll see how they look dry, and I'll probably wet sand/polish them to get a smooth texture... they were a bit rippley when I left.

[632 Regal]

I had to use a pretty wet coat for them to lay down smooth, know what you mean by ripply. Kept re-doing them til I got a decent wet coat. Did you notice a lot of small air bubbles in yours? The spray nozzle on the can I got has a lot to be desired.

they were a bit rippley when I left.

[TC535i]

Yea, the bubbles worked themselves out. I noticed that when I sprayed too lightly, it left much more texture. I started laying them heavy towards the end, and they laid down smoother.

I'll call my parents tomorrow and see what my dad thinks they look like fully dried... but I'm expecting to have to sand/polish a bit.

[632 Regal]

I did 3 coats for a durable coating but the bubbles were consuming and I stopped. To think a large rock would have been stopped was nieve...I wonder now if I had left them that rock would have missed my newly transpires lenses...sigh. Ahh well tape is good too. Was thinking about this hot plastic glue gun... As for polishing remember this is a soft plastic type of paint, rubbery so it might not sand/buff in normal matter.

Yea, the bubbles worked themselves out. I noticed that when I sprayed too lightly, it left much more texture. I started laying them heavy towards the end, and they laid down smoother.

I'll call my parents tomorrow and see what my dad thinks they look like fully dried... but I'm expecting to have to sand/polish a bit.

[mzarifkar]

would/could/should this work on plastic E46 headlights?

[BFEINZIMER]

Yea, the bubbles worked themselves out. I noticed that when I sprayed too lightly, it left much more texture. I started laying them heavy towards the end, and they laid down smoother.

I'll call my parents tomorrow and see what my dad thinks they look like fully dried... but I'm expecting to have to sand/polish a bit.

Speaking of paint, we and a few other E34 people should get together and do this:

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=26036

Cuse I would f it up doing it alone haha

[632 Regal]

bring it on over!

Speaking of paint, we and a few other E34 people should get together and do this:

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=26036

Cuse I would f it up doing it alone haha

[RallyD]

would/could/should this work on plastic E46 headlights?

for plastic i use 1500grit with soapy water
then high speed rotary polish with 3" buffer attached to my drill
with the plastic i find it better to remove material and get the dirt out of the crevices prior to polishing.
You could try a painted applique, but that would trap the dirt and not take away any yellowing.

I do this (plastic headlamp restoration) as a side gig. Its pretty good as the overhead isn't high at all and I usually charge about $50, $75w/ new bulbs installed. My customers love it (seeing at night, that is)