Headlight Washer Retrofit
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 308
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
2001 E55, 2002 ML55, 2002 SL500, 2003 CLK55
Headlight Washer Retrofit
Needed some advice from anyone that has done this before.
Bought CLK55 project car from a guy that clearly tried to cheap out any way he could.
So interesting thing is that my front bumper is the factory AMG bumper BUT is not set up for the headlight washer. Making things more interesting is that there are washers behind the bumper and they work perfectly.
However, there are markings on the back of the bumper that show where to cut out the holes for the washer covers.
I just wanted some advice on how to approach this job hoping not to screw my bumper up and end up with two holes that look terrible.
Thanks!
Bought CLK55 project car from a guy that clearly tried to cheap out any way he could.
So interesting thing is that my front bumper is the factory AMG bumper BUT is not set up for the headlight washer. Making things more interesting is that there are washers behind the bumper and they work perfectly.
However, there are markings on the back of the bumper that show where to cut out the holes for the washer covers.
I just wanted some advice on how to approach this job hoping not to screw my bumper up and end up with two holes that look terrible.
Thanks!
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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Those markings aren't "where to cut". They are remnants from the mold used to form the bumper skin. When they make one with the cutouts, they remove a filler piece from the mold that will form the opening. When the make one without the washer cutouts, the place the filler piece into the mold. it will leave small traces of the filler piece that are buffed out to be smooth on the front side, but left untouched on the backside. I suppose you could carefully cut out these shapes, but you will leave an unpainted sharp edge that will probably be visible, regardless of how good a job you do.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu, Hawaii
2001 E55, 2002 ML55, 2002 SL500, 2003 CLK55
Thanks for the interesting info!
I rarely if ever use the washers on my other cars so not a big deal. But kinda disappointing knowing the washers are there.
But the main thing is that you help me avoid crapping out my bumper!
I rarely if ever use the washers on my other cars so not a big deal. But kinda disappointing knowing the washers are there.
But the main thing is that you help me avoid crapping out my bumper!
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
I was washing my SL today and check the way the headlight washer works. Not only is there a cutout in the bumper, but there is also extra bumper material molded under the opening for the washer cover to rest on. So just cutting out the slots would do not good anyhow.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2013
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2012 C300 4MATIC Sport
Great information exchange here. I just find this feature to be the most useless one. Although they do end up washing the headlights, but the spray pattern end up spraying the paint as well and making a mess. I never ever use this feature on my CLK.
