[tarekelsakka]

I have a '13 F30 with halogen headlights that are quite yellowish. I visited a local shop near me in order to retrofit some Morimoto projector lenses and angel eyes but I was told that I'd either have to invest in new headlights or replace the headlight lenses somehow, which doesn't seem very ideal at this point when it comes to cost.

I have been reading up online and watching videos on YouTube but I have learned never to automatically trust what I see online. A lot of people claim that using sandpaper and other products (wax, clear coat, etc.) from companies like 3M should do the trick, so do you have any positive experience from doing so?

As I said I have had the car for a long time now and I don't have a garage so it's usually parked outside and I am sure the UV rays really messed the headlights up, but I was hoping for a cheap fix so I can retrofit the projector lenses rather than investing in new headlights altogether.

There are no breaks in the lenses but the surface is rough and yellowish.

Any ideas? I can try and take some clear pictures of the headlights' condition tomorrow if that'll make a difference in judgement.

Thank you so much.

[Billfitz]

Those treatments do work, they sand off the discoloration and wear on the outer lens surface and then polish it. However, AFAIK you have to replace the entire headlight assembly anyway to change to projectors.

[tarekelsakka]

Billfitz thank you for you reply, I am going to contact 3M Egypt and SONAX and see if they have any of those kits for sale locally. As for the projector lens, it's basically a plug and play retrofit into the low beam shroud so it doesn't require a different housing assembly, just some minor modifications to it and a couple of screws to hold the projector lenses in place.

[sspade]

Looks like you can get a very nice used set for $100 or so on eBay. Might not be a bad idea if yours have yellowed somehow.

Here's one side that appears to be in satisfactory condition for $50, shipped.

If I were you Id look for the matching one and be done with it.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F223038895036

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by sspade

Looks like you can get a very nice used set for $100 or so on eBay. Might not be a bad idea if yours have yellowed somehow.

Here's one side that appears to be in satisfactory condition for $50, shipped.

If I were you Id look for the matching one and be done with it.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F223038895036

They won’t be shipping to Egypt for $50.

[tarekelsakka]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

They won’t be shipping to Egypt for $50.

That is true, unfortunately, but I am going back to uni in Liverpool in a couple of days so I can probably ship it over there instead, I am sure it'll cost less. I'll also check eBay UK and see if there are any for similar prices.

I want to come back to Egypt in September with headlights, NBT Evo, and a M Performance steering wheel so I am going to be looking for warehouses or shops in UK that are reputable and sell for decent prices.. I am sure I can get a decent offer if I buy all three together.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by tarekelsakka

That is true, unfortunately, but I am going back to uni in Liverpool in a couple of days so I can probably ship it over there instead, I am sure it'll cost less. I'll also check eBay UK and see if there are any for similar prices.

I want to come back to Egypt in September with headlights, NBT Evo, and a M Performance steering wheel so I am going to be looking for warehouses or shops in UK that are reputable and sell for decent prices.. I am sure I can get a decent offer if I buy all three together.

eBay sold clear replacement lens in the past.

[Mr. C4]

Keep in mind that RHD and LHD headlights might not be interchangeable!

[F30_Kapo]

I used the 3M Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration kit on a Saab 9-3's yellowed lenses and the improvement was amazing. Allegedly, there is a UV protector on the lens exterior which is removed during the sanding process though. In spite of this, it has been nearly 3 years and the lenses are just now beginning to show some slight cloudiness. I will caution you that you will cringe when you begin sanding Watch some youtube videos in advance so you know what to expect. It does get better as you go along.

[F30_Kapo]

1st picture is the original yellowed/ cloudy headlight lens masked off.
2nd is a nice even first pass sanding....which got followed by subsequent higher grits and pads per the instructions.
3rd is the end result.

[vanbmw]

I have seen a buffer with polish take yellow out of a lens with really good results. Nothing fancy...just the same pads and compounds used on the paint and it worked well.

I have also heard (but not seen) that some of those headlight restoration kits work well. They have a polish and a foam attachment that goes into a drill. I know Mother's makes one called the Nulens headlight restoration kit.

[Billfitz]

If you have and know how to use wet sanding paper, a buffer and various grades of compound and polish then you don't need a headlight kit. They're for those who only have a drill.