Ouch - friend cleans headlights with Rough window washing brush

Dazzler · 04-23-2009, 07:51 AM

So, I am on a road trip with a friend, car is covered in bugs after 3 days on the road and lots of miles at sunset.

We pull in for fuel, I am filling the tank so he asks if I want him to wash the windscreen. I say ok.

I then go into pay and then come out to find him SCRUBBING my headlights with the brush side of the service station windscreen cleaner tool. OMG. I yellled stop and he stopped but he was on the second one!

So I (keeping calm) told him you cant do that to plastic headlights and he's like oh - I thought they were glass.

So - upon returning home and after cleaning the car to remove 3 tonnes of bugs from the front, I see the full extent of the damage - scratched headlight lenses!!! Arrghhh

I know it sounds anal but shit I am bummed. Anyone know can I polish them back to flawless with brasso or similar?

D

Dazzler · 04-23-2009, 08:05 AM

Some Pics..

One with steam is the car next to a boiling stream! (from geothermal activity)

Radiation Joe · 04-23-2009, 08:38 AM

Just use Meguires plastic polish. Easy fix.

signes · 04-23-2009, 10:06 AM

+1 for the plastic polish. If really bad, you should be able to replace the outer lens. I did this on my E46 and they were about $35 each. Install was a PITA but brand new covers were a lot easier than working over the polish. Not sure if this is an option on the E9X.

doba_s · 04-23-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signes

+1 for the plastic polish. If really bad, you should be able to replace the outer lens. I did this on my E46 and they were about $35 each. Install was a PITA but brand new covers were a lot easier than working over the polish. Not sure if this is an option on the E9X.

it is one piece on e92 and can't be switched ...

but plastic polish should help

ScheerSpeed · 04-23-2009, 11:19 AM

i would just use regular menzerna polishes with the rotary, i doubt doing it by hand will be of much help...

skim · 04-23-2009, 03:54 PM

lol
i guess it's the thought that counts

eclipsisNA · 04-23-2009, 04:33 PM

SIP on a rotary will probably fix that. Doing it by hand is useless, trust me. I've polished at least ten sets of E92 headlights. Also, they can't be replaced without replacing the entire headlight unit.

ScheerSpeed · 04-23-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eclipse Motors

SIP on a rotary will probably fix that. Doing it by hand is useless, trust me. I've polished at least ten sets of E92 headlights. Also, they can't be replaced without replacing the entire headlight unit.

wimpwgn · 04-23-2009, 09:10 PM

No wonder Clarkson said "M3 drivers have no friends."

signes · 04-24-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eclipse Motors

Also, they can't be replaced without replacing the entire headlight unit.

This is a real pisser, was nice that you could do so on the E46. Just checked the parts catalog myself and you are correct. Time to go buy some film...

04-23-2009, 07:51 AM	#1
Dazzler Private First Class 14 Rep 129 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Jerez 2007, 1M on order Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	Ouch - friend cleans headlights with Rough window washing brush So, I am on a road trip with a friend, car is covered in bugs after 3 days on the road and lots of miles at sunset. We pull in for fuel, I am filling the tank so he asks if I want him to wash the windscreen. I say ok. I then go into pay and then come out to find him SCRUBBING my headlights with the brush side of the service station windscreen cleaner tool. OMG. I yellled stop and he stopped but he was on the second one! So I (keeping calm) told him you cant do that to plastic headlights and he's like oh - I thought they were glass. So - upon returning home and after cleaning the car to remove 3 tonnes of bugs from the front, I see the full extent of the damage - scratched headlight lenses!!! Arrghhh I know it sounds anal but shit I am bummed. Anyone know can I polish them back to flawless with brasso or similar? D
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04-23-2009, 08:05 AM	#2
Dazzler Private First Class 14 Rep 129 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Jerez 2007, 1M on order Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	Some Pics.. One with steam is the car next to a boiling stream! (from geothermal activity) Attached Images
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04-23-2009, 08:38 AM	#3
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	Just use Meguires plastic polish. Easy fix.
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04-23-2009, 10:06 AM	#4
signes Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,318 Posts Drives: 991 GT3 RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Living at (almost...) 9k iTrader: (5)	+1 for the plastic polish. If really bad, you should be able to replace the outer lens. I did this on my E46 and they were about $35 each. Install was a PITA but brand new covers were a lot easier than working over the polish. Not sure if this is an option on the E9X.
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04-23-2009, 11:19 AM	#6
ScheerSpeed Major General 415 Rep 5,767 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	i would just use regular menzerna polishes with the rotary, i doubt doing it by hand will be of much help...
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04-23-2009, 03:54 PM	#7
skim Captain 142 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	lol i guess it's the thought that counts __________________ Future mod consideration: exhaust, pulley otherwise, very happy with how the m3 was born
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04-23-2009, 04:33 PM	#8
eclipsisNA Colonel 350 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW 428i [7.76]	SIP on a rotary will probably fix that. Doing it by hand is useless, trust me. I've polished at least ten sets of E92 headlights. Also, they can't be replaced without replacing the entire headlight unit.
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04-23-2009, 09:10 PM	#10
wimpwgn Private 0 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 13 750i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Glendora, CA iTrader: (0)	No wonder Clarkson said "M3 drivers have no friends."
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