Headlamp need polish or inside cleaning? - Newbie Here

[rfcoolz]

Hey guys! First of all, I am new to this forum. I looked around the forum about headlamp problems but only found one with hazing (extreme), but mine has some kind of water splash mark on it, and not sure whether to polish the outside or should I bring it to the dealership to clean the inside part. Can you guys please help me?

Thank you very much

Here is a link to a picture of my headlamp water splash mark, sorry if it is not that clear, any help is appreciated.



https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8e...ew?usp=sharing

[Spazzz]

Re: Headlamp need polish or inside cleaning? - Newbie Here

Try Ultimate Compound on the corner of a microfiber. Do a test spot the size of a half dollar, on a bad area.
Rub it with some good finger pressure then wipe clean. Do it twice and check to see if there is a difference.

You really can't do any damage like this and I'm sure your results will be better than the way it is.
It could be the inside from what you said, caused by bad seals or vents.

What brand and year car?

I opened my brothers 04 Forester xt's passenger headlight because of a bad seal.
Water had pulled some of the sealant goo down on the inside lens and caused a bad haze from the halogen bulb baking it.
I tried Ultimate compound with a rag at first but had to resort to M101 which tackled it with ease.
To reseal I used butyl and baked them shut.
It turned out great even though touching the inside of a headlight lens is a big no-no.

[rfcoolz]

Re: Headlamp need polish or inside cleaning? - Newbie Here

Thank you for the advice, and okay I will try the ultimate compound as soon as I got the time. The car is a 2014 BMW 328xi. I think its not normal for a brand new car to have that kind of headlamp problem.

Speaking of seal, I once lost the rubber seal into the engine compartment (too lazy to look for it) and drive my car for quite a few miles without it while waiting for the new one that I ordered. Do you think that might be the issue?

[Don]

Re: Headlamp need polish or inside cleaning? - Newbie Here

Speaking of seal, I once lost the rubber seal into the engine compartment (too lazy to look for it) and drive my car for quite a few miles without it while waiting for the new one that I ordered. Do you think that might be the issue?

If it was the front seal, it MIGHT have allowed more water into the engine compartment, which MIGHT have gotten into the headlight through a vent. BUT water inside the headlight is easy to diagnose. A faster way of checking to see if your headlights need polished out is to get them wet. If having water on them makes them clearer, then they need polished/compounded.

[Spazzz]

Re: Headlamp need polish or inside cleaning? - Newbie Here

I would think that BMW would take of that for you. Those headlights aren't cheap.

I didn't realize it was a new BMW, don't mess with it until they see it.

You should just have to think about protecting the paint and making it look good on a 14

[rfcoolz]

Re: Headlamp need polish or inside cleaning? - Newbie Here

Trying to wet the headlamps seems like a great idea, and by seal, I mean the one behind the headlight.

But I think I'll just wait till first service due for them to fix it just to be safe. Its just annoying to see the splash mark

Thanks guys for the help!