headlight replacment
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
2001 E55 AMG
I believe the front bumper has to be removed. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. It should be about a 2-hour job.
Have you tried paying for a head light restoration? This can be done professionally at most detailing shops, typically $80-$150 for a high quality service.
To be clear (no pun intended), I am not referring to the cheapie "wipe on/wipe off" headlight restoration kits.... I do NOT recommend this. And I DO NOT recommend the $25 Autozone/Oreilly kits... they are garbage in my opinion.
The true technique uses 3 to 5 different sandpaper grades, and at least 2 polishing steps.
I had my shop do this on my car, and the finish is 85% better and has lasted over a year already.
Have you tried paying for a head light restoration? This can be done professionally at most detailing shops, typically $80-$150 for a high quality service.
To be clear (no pun intended), I am not referring to the cheapie "wipe on/wipe off" headlight restoration kits.... I do NOT recommend this. And I DO NOT recommend the $25 Autozone/Oreilly kits... they are garbage in my opinion.
The true technique uses 3 to 5 different sandpaper grades, and at least 2 polishing steps.
I had my shop do this on my car, and the finish is 85% better and has lasted over a year already.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 32
From: Austin Texas!!!
2001 E55 OMG
I bought the 3M Kit without the painters tape. I had tape that was wider and easer to install that protected better than the thinner tape-also double taped. I used it first on a Honda Accord some time ago and had like new results. People thought the lenses were new. On the E55, I felt that the rounded nature of the housing made it tricky at times when sanding. If you try it, definitely use all the coarse sanding discs and take your time. With even sanding you'll get great results.
Mine are shiny and clear.
Mine are shiny and clear.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 7
From: Socal
07E63, 12E350, 08997TT, 16SiennaSE
Unless it broken why replace it when you can easy restore it for less than $20. I have restored many headlights that been heavy oxidized and they came out like new.
Try this first before you replace your expensive headlight.
Tap off paint area with painter tape.
Wet sand with 1500 grits sand paper, 1200 if your plastic lenses are really bad (bad as in you can't see the bulb inside) Use 1000 grit to remove deep scratches and pitted lense.
You can see it starting to desolving the oxidization layer in a milky cloudy substance.
Keep the sandpaper wet at all time no perticular motions it all get buff out later on.
Than finish up with 2000 to 2500 girts to remove all the light scratches.
Than apply headlight poslishing compound..ie Mothers, 3M, Meguiars..what ever, they all the same to me.
Than polish the lense with a high speed buffer, keep the buffer moving or you melt the plastic.
Once the hazel clear up and you are happy with the way it is than apply a coat of wax over the lenses. Good as new.
This process will restore pitted, oxidation and deep scratches on all plastic lenses. You can't really mess this up, it's idiot proof. Once you do your headlights you can't stop wanting to doing other people headlight and taillight. LOL.
Try this first before you replace your expensive headlight.
Tap off paint area with painter tape.
Wet sand with 1500 grits sand paper, 1200 if your plastic lenses are really bad (bad as in you can't see the bulb inside) Use 1000 grit to remove deep scratches and pitted lense.
You can see it starting to desolving the oxidization layer in a milky cloudy substance.
Keep the sandpaper wet at all time no perticular motions it all get buff out later on.
Than finish up with 2000 to 2500 girts to remove all the light scratches.
Than apply headlight poslishing compound..ie Mothers, 3M, Meguiars..what ever, they all the same to me.
Than polish the lense with a high speed buffer, keep the buffer moving or you melt the plastic.
Once the hazel clear up and you are happy with the way it is than apply a coat of wax over the lenses. Good as new.
This process will restore pitted, oxidation and deep scratches on all plastic lenses. You can't really mess this up, it's idiot proof. Once you do your headlights you can't stop wanting to doing other people headlight and taillight. LOL.
Last edited by Peter_02AMG; Feb 27, 2014 at 11:11 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 998
Likes: 4
From: Central Connecticut
86 190D (Exported to the Nerderlands), 87 300TD (Sold), 82 Ford F150 3spd, 99 E300D (RIP), 02 E55
Unless it broken why replace it when you can easy restore it for less than $20. I have restored many headlights that been heavy oxidized and they came out like new.
Try this first before you replace your expensive headlight.
Tap off paint area with painter tape.
Wet sand with 1500 grits sand paper, 1200 if your plastic lenses are really bad (bad as in you can't see the bulb inside) Use 1000 grit to remove deep scratches and pitted lense.
You can see it starting to desolving the oxidization layer in a milky cloudy substance.
Keep the sandpaper wet at all time no perticular motions it all get buff out later on.
Than finish up with 2000 to 2500 girts to remove all the light scratches.
Than apply headlight poslishing compound..ie Mothers, 3M, Meguiars..what ever, they all the same to me.
Than polish the lense with a high speed buffer, keep the buffer moving or you melt the plastic.
Once the hazel clear up and you are happy with the way it is than apply a coat of wax over the lenses. Good as new.
This process will restore pitted, oxidation and deep scratches on all plastic lenses. You can't really mess this up, it's idiot proof. Once you do your headlights you can't stop wanting to doing other people headlight and taillight. LOL.
Try this first before you replace your expensive headlight.
Tap off paint area with painter tape.
Wet sand with 1500 grits sand paper, 1200 if your plastic lenses are really bad (bad as in you can't see the bulb inside) Use 1000 grit to remove deep scratches and pitted lense.
You can see it starting to desolving the oxidization layer in a milky cloudy substance.
Keep the sandpaper wet at all time no perticular motions it all get buff out later on.
Than finish up with 2000 to 2500 girts to remove all the light scratches.
Than apply headlight poslishing compound..ie Mothers, 3M, Meguiars..what ever, they all the same to me.
Than polish the lense with a high speed buffer, keep the buffer moving or you melt the plastic.
Once the hazel clear up and you are happy with the way it is than apply a coat of wax over the lenses. Good as new.
This process will restore pitted, oxidation and deep scratches on all plastic lenses. You can't really mess this up, it's idiot proof. Once you do your headlights you can't stop wanting to doing other people headlight and taillight. LOL.
Definitely try this before buying new headlamps
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 678
Likes: 4
From: Merryland.
E55 C43 993C2S
Unless it broken why replace it when you can easy restore it for less than $20. I have restored many headlights that been heavy oxidized and they came out like new.
Try this first before you replace your expensive headlight.
Tap off paint area with painter tape.
Wet sand with 1500 grits sand paper, 1200 if your plastic lenses are really bad (bad as in you can't see the bulb inside) Use 1000 grit to remove deep scratches and pitted lense.
You can see it starting to desolving the oxidization layer in a milky cloudy substance.
Keep the sandpaper wet at all time no perticular motions it all get buff out later on.
Than finish up with 2000 to 2500 girts to remove all the light scratches.
Than apply headlight poslishing compound..ie Mothers, 3M, Meguiars..what ever, they all the same to me.
Than polish the lense with a high speed buffer, keep the buffer moving or you melt the plastic.
Once the hazel clear up and you are happy with the way it is than apply a coat of wax over the lenses. Good as new.
This process will restore pitted, oxidation and deep scratches on all plastic lenses. You can't really mess this up, it's idiot proof. Once you do your headlights you can't stop wanting to doing other people headlight and taillight. LOL.
Try this first before you replace your expensive headlight.
Tap off paint area with painter tape.
Wet sand with 1500 grits sand paper, 1200 if your plastic lenses are really bad (bad as in you can't see the bulb inside) Use 1000 grit to remove deep scratches and pitted lense.
You can see it starting to desolving the oxidization layer in a milky cloudy substance.
Keep the sandpaper wet at all time no perticular motions it all get buff out later on.
Than finish up with 2000 to 2500 girts to remove all the light scratches.
Than apply headlight poslishing compound..ie Mothers, 3M, Meguiars..what ever, they all the same to me.
Than polish the lense with a high speed buffer, keep the buffer moving or you melt the plastic.
Once the hazel clear up and you are happy with the way it is than apply a coat of wax over the lenses. Good as new.
This process will restore pitted, oxidation and deep scratches on all plastic lenses. You can't really mess this up, it's idiot proof. Once you do your headlights you can't stop wanting to doing other people headlight and taillight. LOL.
