baking headlight

BlackSapphireZ · 09-10-2007, 03:42 PM

i've heard so many times it can't be done on a Z4 due to the fact that it won't seal properly...but I have yet to try for my self but E46's they can bake them or some just unclips and the entire headlight housing is apart. I have done many baking headlights to get rid of orange corners and what not but I don't want to risk it for the Z as I do not have a spare sittin around...

If I had a spare set, i'd do em along with angel eyes and such but damn why can't we take apart OUR headlight when an E46's can without a hitch?

inTgr8r · 09-10-2007, 04:12 PM

You could pick one up from a wrecker to try.

20Ducks · 09-10-2007, 05:15 PM

I dare ya....

Hawkeye · 09-11-2007, 10:30 AM

This is just one of those 'somebody else go first' type things...

BlackSapphireZ · 09-11-2007, 04:32 PM

Its been 4 years since introduction!!!!

someone has to have done it by now...

MMMazing07 · 09-13-2007, 05:51 PM

this is only a good idea if u know wat your doing. My friend did it on his A4 and he said it was easy because the headlight is so basic. But the Z4 headlight doesnt look basic at all

Mattyb1 · 09-14-2007, 04:21 AM

First thing I thought of doing when I picked up my Z the other day

You go first....

BlackSapphireZ · 09-16-2007, 09:38 PM

no one wants to do it...lol

I will once i get my hands on spare headlights...too bad I can't find a complete set, let alone at a decent price.

Mattyb1 · 09-16-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSapphireZ

no one wants to do it...lol

I will once i get my hands on spare headlights...too bad I can't find a complete set, let alone at a decent price.

Yah thats the truth... I will search the yards this week for a set....

tofu4 · 09-19-2007, 12:28 AM

If all else fail you can cut the housing and put it back together using Gray RTV Silicon or plastic bondo. I had some lights that were un-cookable once. I got frustrated and just cut the dang thing and resealed it with Hondabond silicone. Hondabond cures faster than regular RTV silicon. You can get it from any honda dealership.

BlackSapphireZ · 09-19-2007, 01:19 PM

which headlights were u not able to take apart by baking?
unless they had screws in em, I don't see how or why they wouldn't come apart

hondabond is a sealer for your rubber gaskets used by the dealerships. It works if you have a leaky rubber gasket

BimmerZealot · 09-19-2007, 04:45 PM

If it is one solid piece then you wouldn't be able to open it, regardless of baking or not.

BU Z4 · 08-06-2009, 07:24 PM

Any update on this issue?

BimmerZealot · 08-06-2009, 07:47 PM

It is only possible by baking the headlights at a very specific temperature, very carefully. The details of this are closely guarded by the few people who have actually done it and no one wants to risk their 600$ headlights to find out. So unless you want to, there is no update

BU Z4 · 08-06-2009, 08:50 PM

I'll use heat gun rather baking them.

The__J__Factor · 08-06-2009, 09:20 PM

Ive got a spare head light sitting around i might try it one day.
I did this on my last celica and painted the inside housing black and resealed it. Worked perfectly.

nadaclue · 08-06-2009, 09:28 PM

I've tried it at 180F, 350F and 450F with no luck, the adhesive just wouldn't soften. It appears to be a crosslinked adhesive versus a simple thermoplastic adhesive.

If someone knew exactly what adhesive they used I could find the softening point. As somebody said, finding the right temp is the trick. Too low of temperature and it won't soften, too high of a temp and it'll actually harden/become brittle and you won't be able to pull it apart.

I also tried using various solvents, aromatics and aliphatics, to dissolve the adhesive unsuccessfully.

I've got another spare headlight to play with, I just haven't had the time. I have industrial ovens where I work, so anywhere from room temp to 600F shouldn't be a problem. It's just more of a time issue.

rickinbay1 · 01-27-2018, 07:34 PM

Has anyone tried asking BMW what they use to seal it? The factory that is. Might help if someone who spoke German asked as they might be more responsive.

Hammam · 01-29-2018, 03:10 AM

you need to drill it with a dremel

Did it couple of times. Afterwards I used black Sikaflexx glue to reseal it. Never got wet.

GuidoK · 01-29-2018, 05:02 AM

Yes dremel it open is the way.
You can also use a car window sealant glue to glue the headlight.
Thats a one part polyurethane glue, which I think they also originally used in the factory.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickinbay1

Has anyone tried asking BMW what they use to seal it? The factory that is.

I'm pretty sure bmw doesnt make the headlights themselves. Probably valeo or Hella or a similar company.

09-10-2007, 03:42 PM	#1
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	baking headlight i've heard so many times it can't be done on a Z4 due to the fact that it won't seal properly...but I have yet to try for my self but E46's they can bake them or some just unclips and the entire headlight housing is apart. I have done many baking headlights to get rid of orange corners and what not but I don't want to risk it for the Z as I do not have a spare sittin around... If I had a spare set, i'd do em along with angel eyes and such but damn why can't we take apart OUR headlight when an E46's can without a hitch? __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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09-10-2007, 04:12 PM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	You could pick one up from a wrecker to try. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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09-10-2007, 05:15 PM	#3
20Ducks Lieutenant 26 Rep 403 Posts Drives: 2011 e93 335i w/M pkge Join Date: May 2007 Location: Shawnee Mission, KS iTrader: (0)	I dare ya.... __________________ back by popular demand...
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09-11-2007, 10:30 AM	#4
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	This is just one of those 'somebody else go first' type things... __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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09-11-2007, 04:32 PM	#5
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	Its been 4 years since introduction!!!! someone has to have done it by now... __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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09-13-2007, 05:51 PM	#6
MMMazing07 More than you can afford pal....ferrari 180 Rep 1,471 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	this is only a good idea if u know wat your doing. My friend did it on his A4 and he said it was easy because the headlight is so basic. But the Z4 headlight doesnt look basic at all
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09-14-2007, 04:21 AM	#7
Mattyb1 New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Canondale on Lightweights Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	First thing I thought of doing when I picked up my Z the other day You go first....
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09-16-2007, 09:38 PM	#8
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	no one wants to do it...lol I will once i get my hands on spare headlights...too bad I can't find a complete set, let alone at a decent price. __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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09-19-2007, 12:28 AM	#10
tofu4 Private 4 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cali iTrader: (0)	If all else fail you can cut the housing and put it back together using Gray RTV Silicon or plastic bondo. I had some lights that were un-cookable once. I got frustrated and just cut the dang thing and resealed it with Hondabond silicone. Hondabond cures faster than regular RTV silicon. You can get it from any honda dealership.
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09-19-2007, 01:19 PM	#11
BlackSapphireZ Major 97 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	which headlights were u not able to take apart by baking? unless they had screws in em, I don't see how or why they wouldn't come apart hondabond is a sealer for your rubber gaskets used by the dealerships. It works if you have a leaky rubber gasket __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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09-19-2007, 04:45 PM	#12
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	If it is one solid piece then you wouldn't be able to open it, regardless of baking or not.
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08-06-2009, 07:24 PM	#13
BU Z4 Captain 15 Rep 647 Posts Drives: Big & Small Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dallas iTrader: (5)	Any update on this issue?
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08-06-2009, 07:47 PM	#14
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	It is only possible by baking the headlights at a very specific temperature, very carefully. The details of this are closely guarded by the few people who have actually done it and no one wants to risk their 600$ headlights to find out. So unless you want to, there is no update
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08-06-2009, 08:50 PM	#15
BU Z4 Captain 15 Rep 647 Posts Drives: Big & Small Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dallas iTrader: (5)	I'll use heat gun rather baking them.
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08-06-2009, 09:20 PM	#16
The__J__Factor Major 88 Rep 1,090 Posts Drives: ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gold Coast, Australia iTrader: (0)	Ive got a spare head light sitting around i might try it one day. I did this on my last celica and painted the inside housing black and resealed it. Worked perfectly. __________________ 135i N54 manual MR-S with a 2zz swap and mods Sold EVO X MR - Phantom Black - Ti Exhaust - Ti UICP - AQM Intake - Sold Z4 M Coupe - H&R - RE Diablo - RPi - Tekarbon - Sold
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08-06-2009, 09:28 PM	#17
nadaclue Private First Class 52 Rep 152 Posts Drives: Urban Green 2003 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I've tried it at 180F, 350F and 450F with no luck, the adhesive just wouldn't soften. It appears to be a crosslinked adhesive versus a simple thermoplastic adhesive. If someone knew exactly what adhesive they used I could find the softening point. As somebody said, finding the right temp is the trick. Too low of temperature and it won't soften, too high of a temp and it'll actually harden/become brittle and you won't be able to pull it apart. I also tried using various solvents, aromatics and aliphatics, to dissolve the adhesive unsuccessfully. I've got another spare headlight to play with, I just haven't had the time. I have industrial ovens where I work, so anywhere from room temp to 600F shouldn't be a problem. It's just more of a time issue.
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01-27-2018, 07:34 PM	#18
rickinbay1 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4si Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Benicia, CA iTrader: (0)	Anyone Tried? Has anyone tried asking BMW what they use to seal it? The factory that is. Might help if someone who spoke German asked as they might be more responsive.
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01-29-2018, 03:10 AM	#19
Hammam BMW Freak 53 Rep 61 Posts Drives: Z4M Coupe + E36 & F11 Touring Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Aachen iTrader: (0)	you need to drill it with a dremel Did it couple of times. Afterwards I used black Sikaflexx glue to reseal it. Never got wet.
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