Cleaning inside of Headlights

classic_erik · 02-15-2019, 08:58 AM

Anyone have an easy DIY for cleaning the inside of your headlights? I just had my car detailed, which included an upgraded headlight service and this is the best he could do. He said there was dust and particles on the inside causing the biggest issue in appearance...thoughts?

tntp · 02-15-2019, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classic_erik

Anyone have an easy DIY for cleaning the inside of your headlights? I just had my car detailed, which included an upgraded headlight service and this is the best he could do. He said there was dust and particles on the inside causing the biggest issue in appearance...thoughts?

wow,... and you fall for that? Cleaning in side the headlight is bogus. You may damage the headlight rather than making it better. The headlight is a sealed unit, not the 1930 BMW! And dont let the detailer "sand and polish" the outside of the headlight. It your car is 10+ year old with hazy headlights, then you can do it, otherwise just clean the outside gently with soapy water. Dont go overboard on cleaning/detailing, you may do more harm than good!

The Libertine · 02-15-2019, 10:39 AM

Agree. To disassemble the light to remove dust may cause harm, and be at a greater cost than the effort is worth. I would leave it alone.

turboawd · 02-15-2019, 11:21 AM

Pop the cover off and blow some air on there

classic_erik · 02-15-2019, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tntp

wow,... and you fall for that? Cleaning in side the headlight is bogus. You may damage the headlight rather than making it better. The headlight is a sealed unit, not the 1930 BMW! And dont let the detailer "sand and polish" the outside of the headlight. It your car is 10+ year old with hazy headlights, then you can do it, otherwise just clean the outside gently with soapy water. Dont go overboard on cleaning/detailing, you may do more harm than good!

Wasn't the worst decision I've made, nor the best. The detailer charged me an extra $20 for the headlight polish / buff. Didn't do a damn thing so I obviously fell for his lofty claims. I will move on...

F15_SGM · 05-18-2023, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classic_erik

Anyone have an easy DIY for cleaning the inside of your headlights? I just had my car detailed, which included an upgraded headlight service and this is the best he could do. He said there was dust and particles on the inside causing the biggest issue in appearance...thoughts?

Any methods to clean the inside yet?

tlow98 · 05-18-2023, 01:33 AM

I doubt the guy was trying to rip you off.

You can bake the headlights in the oven to break the seal like they do in e90 headlights. I prolly wouldn’t do it to LED lights but it works fine for xenon units.

Afterward you’ll need to apply some new sealant to reseal them.

I doubt all of this is worth it… blowing some air in there is what I’d try first. Just be gentle.

zero2sixtyZ · 05-18-2023, 11:05 AM

If he polished off any UV coating left on the plastic, they may start to haze quicker. I would throw on some PPF to protect them.

On my e92, I had them polished at a body shop then applied PPF pre-cuts from ebay store: iclearshield - https://www.ebay.com/str/invinciblegraphic.
Contact the store via message, he sells precuts of 3M Pro and Xpel Ultimate upon request.

02-15-2019, 08:58 AM	#1
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02-15-2019, 10:39 AM	#3
The Libertine Major 1236 Rep 1,222 Posts Drives: 2021 Porsche Macan Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: South East, MA iTrader: (0)	Agree. To disassemble the light to remove dust may cause harm, and be at a greater cost than the effort is worth. I would leave it alone.
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02-15-2019, 11:21 AM	#4
turboawd Banned 1640 Rep 2,995 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Pop the cover off and blow some air on there
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05-18-2023, 01:33 AM	#7
tlow98 Major General 2190 Rep 5,005 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	I doubt the guy was trying to rip you off. You can bake the headlights in the oven to break the seal like they do in e90 headlights. I prolly wouldn’t do it to LED lights but it works fine for xenon units. Afterward you’ll need to apply some new sealant to reseal them. I doubt all of this is worth it… blowing some air in there is what I’d try first. Just be gentle.
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05-18-2023, 11:05 AM	#8
zero2sixtyZ Colonel 951 Rep 2,669 Posts Drives: e92 + f15 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cambridge, MA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [9.50] 2015 X5 xdrive50i [10.00]	If he polished off any UV coating left on the plastic, they may start to haze quicker. I would throw on some PPF to protect them. On my e92, I had them polished at a body shop then applied PPF pre-cuts from ebay store: iclearshield - https://www.ebay.com/str/invinciblegraphic. Contact the store via message, he sells precuts of 3M Pro and Xpel Ultimate upon request.
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Cleaning inside of Headlights - DIY?