[Banners24b]

Spent the last two days sanding and polishing my headlights, I took pics of every step but not sure that's something ppl are interested in seeing??.

Started with:
400 grit, then 800grit, then 1200, then 1500, then 2500. (each stage 10mins sanding wet)
then:
moved onto Halfords rubbing compound by hand, (5 mins)
then:
DA polished with a cutting pad using the same compound, (5 mins)
then:
DA polish using finishing pad with Scholl S17+ (10mins)
then
DA polish using finisihg pad with Scholl S40 (15mins)
then
Applied sealant with soft cloth and buff (protects from UV)

It's a good 2 hours per light unit, but I think worth it, I would not try without a DA polisher or keeping the headlights on the car as you would not get a even finish.
Pics prob don't do them justice as you can't see all the minor pits and scratches on the before pics but now they are nice and clear

[Maniac0908]

Do u have aftermarket angel eyes? If so did it clear up the color? I have lux and because one headlight is older/yellower one side looks less blue.

[Banners24b]

I don't, but I will have in about a week

I found looking side on at my lights they looked dull, but now they are nice and clear not quite new but 90% there

[bmwspeed01]

You are a brave man! I would like to do this but I'm so heavy handed something would go wrong. What does DA stand for? Yes post a few more pics!

[Banners24b]

Dual Action polisher = DA

Here you go, as you can see it's abit scary at first as looks like you have shafted your lights, but with gradual refinement you get there.

* the second 1500 grit pic should read 2500 grit

[Dsport]

Looks a massive difference with good results is it a bumper off job to remove the lights, I'm planing on doing some work on mine but not looked yet

[SuperBmw]

Now that you have sanded the UV protection right off, you should add some kind of uv protction or clear coat back on or they will start to yellow in the sun real fast.

[Banners24b]

yes it's a bumper off job, I needed to change the ballast one of my lights so tied this into it.

procedure was:

Remove fuses 52/53/59 (this kills all power so unlock your boot first as i left my tools in there)
Jack up car, secure with axle stands
Remove two front wheels
Remove inner linning from arches
Remove he 4 bolts ontop of bumper and all the ones under it (lots of youtube vids on that)
Each light has 5 torx screws undo all these and they should come away, bit of a fiddle as the lights sit in black plastic housing but that all needs to come out too.

It's daunting, but perhaps 1-2 hrs work to repalce and remove, plus 2 hrs to sand the lights.

to above ^^ forgot to add on oroginal post. I added some sealant to them, this does not increase clarity but as poster above says it's needed to protect from UV

[bmwspeed01]

Nice job!

[Maniac0908]

What did u use to seal?

[Banners24b]

I had a sachet of turtle wax headlight sealent left over from an old headligh kit I intented to use but never did, I am not sure you can buy it on it's own.