[Foreman05]

Heres the overview:
My headlight had some nasty scratches on it, it look as if someone took some 80 grit sand paper and gave it a quick spin on a DA, furthermore it looked like someone tried to fix it but realized it wasn't a good idea. So any way here ya go.
This is where i got all my info www.nseconsulting.com/bmw/hpt.pdf

Parts List:
Bucket of soapy water (I used Dawn)
Package of P800 grit wet/dry sand paper
Package of P1000 grit wet/dry
Package of P1500 grit wet/dry
Package of P2000 Grit wet/dry
Meguiars Plastx polish
Meguiars Polishing Compound
Some painters tape Green or Blue (works better on auto paint)
Buffer/Polisher or something with some speed (I used a drill with a buffing pad adapter)

Step 1:
Tape off any paint around the light and pop the hood.

Step 2:
Get headlight wet and start with your P800. Make sure your keep the headlight wet as it aids with lubrication and removes debris. The site that i got this info from said to alternate direction when you move up in sand paper. This is the after shot.

Step 3:
P1000, sand marks are now vertical.

[Foreman05]

Step 4:
P1500, horizontal sanding.

Step 5:
P2000, I kinda went both directions on this one just to make sure i removed every scratch from the previous sand paper. NEVER SAND IN A CIRCULAR MOTION!!

Step 6:
Learn from my mistake and go right for the polishing compound, it will remove all or most of the fine scratches. If you have some deeper scratches you may need some rubbing compound<-- not the same a polishing compound.
After I buffed and polished for about 20 minutes i then used the Plastx to seal/protect the light.

the finished product is 10 times better there is still some fine scratches maybe should have went up to P2500? I may give it another shot with some P600 to start there is still some scratches that the P800 wouldn't get out.
Messing with a 1000 dollar headlight was a little scary but i figured i would want a new one any way if this didn't work. Lucky for me it did. Total cost about 40 bucks let me know if you have any questions.

Disclaimer: I am Not a pro nor do i take responsibility if you mess up your headlight!

[fdriller9]

Nice now you gotta polish your paint.

[Foreman05]

Lol that's the plan, I'm gunna see if I can just use the polishing compound I have and shine away. My whole car is a giant swirl mark. I bought it about a month ago. I love this car, everyone should have a BMW.

[luster]

wow, what a difference. Thanks for the guide, I dont think many of us would be brave enough to do it without your concise guide!

[Snyperx]

This process should work on a pitted light right? I don't have scratches, but tinny little pit marks. The headlight feels bumpy.

[Josh1a1h]

This is great! I have a lot of little stone chips on my lights too!!! Very tempted to give this a go. I cam imagine it took a little while to do properly!

I would probably have to start with 600 and work my way up to 2500 like you say... some of the chips are a little deep... Then i would definitely wrap the light with lamin x or something to prevent further damage!

[Foreman05]

Originally Posted by Snyperx

This process should work on a pitted light right? I don't have scratches, but tinny little pit marks. The headlight feels bumpy.

Make sure that the bumps aren't raised first that would be easily fixed with a clay bar but if u can see pits then u should be able to sand them out no problem as long as their not craters lol.

Josh 600 would be good if their deep, I just wouldn't go to crazy with it because 600 is kinda rough when it comes to sanding plastic. Make sure u sand out all the scratches when u progress up in sand paper.

I would say I sanded about 10 minutes with each grit and about 20 minutes with the 2000 just to be sure.
I would only recommend doing this is you have a buffer or buff attachment for your drill I'm not sure if I could have buffed it by hand to get the fine sand marks out. I got the drill pad from sears a couple years ago. 2500 maybe able to be buffed by hand but I've never tried it?