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Can the front headlamps be polished from the inside?

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    Can the front headlamps be polished from the inside?

    As I gave my BMW 2005 330Ci convertible to the X service center for a big mechanical / detailing job, when I got it, I wasn't pleased with the way they have done the front headlamp polish, they just polished it from the outside but it still looks foggy from the inside.

    Now I gave them the car back as I wasn't happy with the exterior polish job they did it seemed rushed out but my question is, can they actually polish the inside of the front headlamps or were they just being lazy?

    #2
    The headlight cover can be polished from inside as well, but you have to dismantle it. Its not a big job, takes about 5 mins to remove the surrounding trims, the indicator and pop out the glass.
    Current
    E92 M3 - Mineral White
    F80 M3 - SilverStone

    Past
    E36 318is
    E39 540i ///M sport
    VW CC
    E46 M3 - Frozen White

    Comment


      #3
      BMW 3 Series (E46) 1999-2005 - Headlight Assembly & Lens - DIY Repair - YouTube
      Drive To The Satisfaction... A Dreamer's Pursuit

      2013 F10 M5 - M Drivers Package
      Alpine White / Sakhir Orange

      Mods: ZCP Kidney Grilles

      2009 E92 M3 - M Drivers Package
      Melbourne Red / Imola Red [Manual] (SOLD)

      Mods: Full Catless AlphaMale Performance Valvetronic Exhaust | Macht Schnell Stage 2 Air Intake | H&R Lowering Springs | ECS Tuning Spacers | Carbon Fiber Front Splitters | Glossy Black Kidney Grilles | Plasti-Dipped Fender Grilles | LCI Tail Lights | Carbon Fiber H-Style Diffuser | Stage 2 Tune (Simon MotorSport) | Macht Schnell Pulleys | Carbon Fiber LowKick Trunk Spoiler

      2003 E46 M3 - Carbon Black / Imola Red (BLOWN)
      Mods: Rear Smoked LEDs | Front Smoked Corner Lights | 4300K Phillips 85122+ Bulbs | BMC Drop-In Panel | Matt Black Kidney Grilles | 7500K CCFL | Matt Black Side Grilles | FOX SS Muffler | VIEZU Remap | CSL Carbon Fiber Splitters | EvoSport Under Drive Pulley Kit | K&N Cold Air Intake | K&N Scoops | Hawk Carbon-Ceramic Brake Pads | R1Concepts Zinc-Coated Cross-Drilled Rotors | Agency Power Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines | Hyper Black M3 Competition Rims | FXR Bi-Xenon Projectors w/ Clear Lenses | 70% 3M Tinting
      1997 E39 528i - Champagne Beige / Sand Beige (SOLD)
      Mods: Front & Rear OEM Facelift | K&N Cold Air Intake | Straight Pipes | MAF Delete | Custom Made Air Intake Elbow | 3.15 LSD Differential | SplitFire Spark Plugs | E36-7 Z3 OEM 17" Rims | 50% 3M Tinting

      Need Assistance?
      eMail:
      Rafik@bmwclubuae.com


      @Rafik_Jabbour (Link)

      Comment


        #4
        Thanks Rafik, but you dont need to take the whole assemble out. The glass alone comes out very easily :)
        Current
        E92 M3 - Mineral White
        F80 M3 - SilverStone

        Past
        E36 318is
        E39 540i ///M sport
        VW CC
        E46 M3 - Frozen White

        Comment


          #5
          Yep I know that as I've cleaned my lights 100 times I think previously on my E46. I posted this just for extra knowledge
          Drive To The Satisfaction... A Dreamer's Pursuit

          2013 F10 M5 - M Drivers Package
          Alpine White / Sakhir Orange

          Mods: ZCP Kidney Grilles

          2009 E92 M3 - M Drivers Package
          Melbourne Red / Imola Red [Manual] (SOLD)

          Mods: Full Catless AlphaMale Performance Valvetronic Exhaust | Macht Schnell Stage 2 Air Intake | H&R Lowering Springs | ECS Tuning Spacers | Carbon Fiber Front Splitters | Glossy Black Kidney Grilles | Plasti-Dipped Fender Grilles | LCI Tail Lights | Carbon Fiber H-Style Diffuser | Stage 2 Tune (Simon MotorSport) | Macht Schnell Pulleys | Carbon Fiber LowKick Trunk Spoiler

          2003 E46 M3 - Carbon Black / Imola Red (BLOWN)
          Mods: Rear Smoked LEDs | Front Smoked Corner Lights | 4300K Phillips 85122+ Bulbs | BMC Drop-In Panel | Matt Black Kidney Grilles | 7500K CCFL | Matt Black Side Grilles | FOX SS Muffler | VIEZU Remap | CSL Carbon Fiber Splitters | EvoSport Under Drive Pulley Kit | K&N Cold Air Intake | K&N Scoops | Hawk Carbon-Ceramic Brake Pads | R1Concepts Zinc-Coated Cross-Drilled Rotors | Agency Power Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines | Hyper Black M3 Competition Rims | FXR Bi-Xenon Projectors w/ Clear Lenses | 70% 3M Tinting
          1997 E39 528i - Champagne Beige / Sand Beige (SOLD)
          Mods: Front & Rear OEM Facelift | K&N Cold Air Intake | Straight Pipes | MAF Delete | Custom Made Air Intake Elbow | 3.15 LSD Differential | SplitFire Spark Plugs | E36-7 Z3 OEM 17" Rims | 50% 3M Tinting

          Need Assistance?
          eMail:
          Rafik@bmwclubuae.com


          @Rafik_Jabbour (Link)

          Comment


            #6
            Word of caution - be careful with the clips on some of the trims as you undo them, they become brittle with age and heat.
            Current
            E92 M3 - Mineral White
            F80 M3 - SilverStone

            Past
            E36 318is
            E39 540i ///M sport
            VW CC
            E46 M3 - Frozen White

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by RAFiK View Post
              Yep I know that as I've cleaned my lights 100 times I think previously on my E46. I posted this just for extra knowledge
              the service advisor at the X service center told me that once the light is open, that's it, it can never be perfectly sealed back as it was and will cause water to get in easily. He advised me never to mess with the light by opening it.

              What do you think of this?

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Matrix Leader View Post
                the service advisor at the X service center told me that once the light is open, that's it, it can never be perfectly sealed back as it was and will cause water to get in easily. He advised me never to mess with the light by opening it.

                What do you think of this?
                I don't see how that could be a problem unless, the rubber seal has become hard with time and would not do its job properly. I've opened my lights so many times without a problem over the past few years.
                Drive To The Satisfaction... A Dreamer's Pursuit

                2013 F10 M5 - M Drivers Package
                Alpine White / Sakhir Orange

                Mods: ZCP Kidney Grilles

                2009 E92 M3 - M Drivers Package
                Melbourne Red / Imola Red [Manual] (SOLD)

                Mods: Full Catless AlphaMale Performance Valvetronic Exhaust | Macht Schnell Stage 2 Air Intake | H&R Lowering Springs | ECS Tuning Spacers | Carbon Fiber Front Splitters | Glossy Black Kidney Grilles | Plasti-Dipped Fender Grilles | LCI Tail Lights | Carbon Fiber H-Style Diffuser | Stage 2 Tune (Simon MotorSport) | Macht Schnell Pulleys | Carbon Fiber LowKick Trunk Spoiler

                2003 E46 M3 - Carbon Black / Imola Red (BLOWN)
                Mods: Rear Smoked LEDs | Front Smoked Corner Lights | 4300K Phillips 85122+ Bulbs | BMC Drop-In Panel | Matt Black Kidney Grilles | 7500K CCFL | Matt Black Side Grilles | FOX SS Muffler | VIEZU Remap | CSL Carbon Fiber Splitters | EvoSport Under Drive Pulley Kit | K&N Cold Air Intake | K&N Scoops | Hawk Carbon-Ceramic Brake Pads | R1Concepts Zinc-Coated Cross-Drilled Rotors | Agency Power Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines | Hyper Black M3 Competition Rims | FXR Bi-Xenon Projectors w/ Clear Lenses | 70% 3M Tinting
                1997 E39 528i - Champagne Beige / Sand Beige (SOLD)
                Mods: Front & Rear OEM Facelift | K&N Cold Air Intake | Straight Pipes | MAF Delete | Custom Made Air Intake Elbow | 3.15 LSD Differential | SplitFire Spark Plugs | E36-7 Z3 OEM 17" Rims | 50% 3M Tinting

                Need Assistance?
                eMail:
                Rafik@bmwclubuae.com


                @Rafik_Jabbour (Link)

                Comment


                  #9
                  +1 to what Rafik said...i've opened it many times as well. Just get some replacement seals to be on the safe side.

                  i've re-used the rubber seals without any issue.
                  Current
                  E92 M3 - Mineral White
                  F80 M3 - SilverStone

                  Past
                  E36 318is
                  E39 540i ///M sport
                  VW CC
                  E46 M3 - Frozen White

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Matrix Leader View Post
                    As I gave my BMW 2005 330Ci convertible to the X service center for a big mechanical / detailing job, when I got it, I wasn't pleased with the way they have done the front headlamp polish, they just polished it from the outside but it still looks foggy from the inside.

                    Now I gave them the car back as I wasn't happy with the exterior polish job they did it seemed rushed out but my question is, can they actually polish the inside of the front headlamps or were they just being lazy?
                    My friend i heard you saying that you spent more than 23 k to make the car comes back to its shape
                    Polishing and cleaning would be good idea maybe but for my case i bought 2 new front covers that you try to clean for price 300 Dhs each side and installed them
                    Original BMW so choice is urs and depends how bad they are now


                    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                    sigpic
                    E46FANATIC

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by E46Fanatic View Post
                      My friend i heard you saying that you spent more than 23 k to make the car comes back to its shape
                      Polishing and cleaning would be good idea maybe but for my case i bought 2 new front covers that you try to clean for price 300 Dhs each side and installed them
                      Original BMW so choice is urs and depends how bad they are now


                      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                      yeah this is the big job I've done to restore the car back to new condition:



                      Comment


                        #12
                        wow! thats an exhaustive list!
                        Current
                        E92 M3 - Mineral White
                        F80 M3 - SilverStone

                        Past
                        E36 318is
                        E39 540i ///M sport
                        VW CC
                        E46 M3 - Frozen White

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Can the front headlamps be polished from the inside?

                          Man some stuff in that list are crazy!!! Resetting airbag light 200 dhs!!! WTH
                          I told you both front light covers are for 600 .. You had them polished for 700!!!!
                          Repairing arm rests for 2800!!
                          I could buy full scrapped car for that money and make use of all its parts
                          I respect your work but believe me you could have it just great for far less money


                          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                          sigpic
                          E46FANATIC

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by E46Fanatic View Post
                            Man some stuff in that list are crazy!!! Resetting airbag light 200 dhs!!! WTH
                            I told you both front light covers are for 600 .. You had them polished for 700!!!!
                            Repairing arm rests for 2800!!
                            I could buy full scrapped car for that money and make use of all its parts
                            I respect your work but believe me you could have it just great for far less money


                            Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                            Wish I knew you before I did all this, but it's too late now :(

                            I wanted the peace of mind and they gave me 3 months warranty on all the things they've done. I basically restored this car to a perfect condition.

                            the 2800 for arm rest included changing the arm rest leather completely and changing both the driver's and passenger seat leather as they were pure black in color as if they were burned from the sun.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Matrix Leader View Post
                              Wish I knew you before I did all this, but it's too late now :(

                              I wanted the peace of mind and they gave me 3 months warranty on all the things they've done. I basically restored this car to a perfect condition.

                              the 2800 for arm rest included changing the arm rest leather completely and changing both the driver's and passenger seat leather as they were pure black in color as if they were burned from the sun.
                              Dude its excellent job what u did over all and u should be proud
                              But for me the challenge and the fun is to go through every fix done , understand alternative solutions , see if the fix could be done from my end or for less effort or money
                              After all u get your own knowledge and experience
                              Hopefully when we meet we can share a chat with all members for knowledge as we learn new stuff everyday


                              Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                              sigpic
                              E46FANATIC

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