E55Dimon

What are my options here?
They're just getting old. Highway driving - rocks, salt and time add up.. They work perfect, factory bi-xenon and all. I'm going to be bringing my car up-to par for the summer, a few more mods, paint touch-ups, new wheels etc.
I cannot ship them out for a new lens or anything like that as I'm not ready to deal with any downtime with the car with no headlights. Oh, I'm also sick of the bad light output. My hid fogs do all the work!

1. Headlight restoration kit (No way it would make them look new).
2. Ebay headlights (I have no idea how I'd go around the bixenon and adaptive option).
3. Very light tint on headlights to hide the crap. But thats a tad ghetto.
4. Live with it.
5. ??

Is there something about these headlights I do not know? The whole car will look new except these darn things. As well as they work, its the small stuff that's gonna bother and be a blister to my eye everyday. The car just deserves new headlights IMO.

AMG3.2

I'm guessing your headlights are oxidizing. Do they look foggy? Or hazy? If so, you can repair them and they will look better than new. Granted you can't take out rock chips/ cracks or anything. But oxidation and hazy-ness, yes!

I've personally done some work on my friends headlights and made them look flawless.

Post a pic of them so I can see what the deal is with them and I'll help you from there.

E55Dimon

No fogginess/oxidation at all. Just lens has had its highway driving.
It doesnt look real bad. It just starting to bug me compared to the new lens I see on new cars. That lens belongs on mine lol. Its the small rock chips, make it look like sandpaper up close. Recent photo (dont have anything closer).

_AMG_

Take it to a body shop or pro detailer and have them buff out the headlights.
After they fix it put a clear bra over your headlights to protect them.

E55Dimon

I dont think the small holes from rocks would buff out?

tbal

Headlight restoration kit! I think Dupli color makes one...

_AMG_

Ooop sorry, didn't catch that one.
If anything I would just replace the headlights.
Would you happen to have any close up shots?

dunwoodydtailr

Just wet sand them with 1000 grit then 1500 grit then 2000 finish with a wool pad and swirl remover. Then get a clear 4-6 mill film and it done......did mine this way its perfect.

210e55

Yep, sand and buff. I do 3 or 4 sets a week. Anything can be taken out. I've done severe scratches and gouges as well as oxidation/yellowing and they have all come out like new.

Don't replace them. Too expensive. Especially if it is xenon.

You just have to take your time and don't skip any steps in the sanding process. If you do, you will see sand scratches. It also helps if you have a DA (dual action sander). It will go a lot faster this way.

I would start with 600 grit, then 1000 grit, then 1500 grit, followed by a hand sanding of 2000. All is done with soapy water except for the 600 grit I like to do dry. Then use your buffer with regular paint rubbing compund. Voila. Brand new headlamps.

thumper823

I wouldn't recommend ebay for much of anything unless they are new "in box" I bought a pair $500 a piece seemed like a decent deal. When I was mounting them the top tabs broke off with ease. A close look revealed that they were already broke, just glued together and were painted to hide the repair.. I was f'in pissed!

.trunzx

After wetsanding I'd recommend clear coating them too. I've wetsanded other cars and after a few months they start to look faded again. Alternatively you can get some clear lamin-x http://www.lamin-x.com/Mercedes-E-Cl...rs-p/mb008.htm after you polish them

210e55

+1. If you do decide to do the clear paint protection film, make sure you get one with uv blockers in it, otherwise there is no point to doing it. Some companies do not have uv protection in them because it will cause a paint fade line if the film is ever peeled off down the road. I know 3M and Venture Shield for sure do not have UV protection.

All clearcoat paint should have some UV protection, though.

Yacht Master

All good advise, and worth a try. You have nothing to lose.

E55Dimon

Appreciate the advice fellas! You make it sound very easy. How long would I use each grit for? With soapy water you say..? Maybe buy a restoration kit? 3m has good reviews.

I'd really like to retain the lights I have and just get em looking new without any swapping. I just don't want to kill em sanding too rough. I've baked headlights before but never wetsanded. Don't have a buffer either. Could always attach the grit to a drill though.

WPOZZZ

The 3M kit is very good as I used the regular kit from Walmart on my Lexus and my sister's ML. The commercial kit has a couple more stages and it is even better.

Civilian kit - 600, 800, 1500 wet, plastic cleaner/polish
Commercial kit - 600, 800, 1000 wet, 1500 wet, plastic cleaner, plastic polish

AMG3.2

Like others have mentioned... Wet sanding will be the way to go. Look up a DIY thread on a forum called Autopia. You should find some good results there!

BenJ

You can always go through your insurance if your deductable is low enough. State farm had no issues replacing my entire front bumper and headlights after 5 years of rock chips and weathering.

Duc1098E500

I have used 3m headlights restore and with some elbow grease you will find that it was well worth the pain. LOL

Forrest Gump 9

stop doing 186mph pulls

But seriously, any body shop can sand them down and buff them to look like new. If you don't like the result then upgrade.

NorseWagon

Tried the buffing and sanding, not much of an improvement.

These brand new lights on ebay may be worth the price as the car would look better/newer and the value may go up more than the price of the lights...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-BEN...item4ab377fbce

WPOZZZ

You can restore almost any headlight. With the 3M Commercial/Professional kit, I restored some X5 headlights that were opaque white to like new in about an hour.

E55Dimon

Actually had an interesting encounter with a boosted Saab in Mexico yesterday...


Thx guys! I'll be going with the 3m kit and post results. Just going to wait for slightly warmer weather for better lighting outside.

fila0220

Are those the original e55 lights? If so, have you considered buying the 07+ headlights to match the updated face you have. And sell the e55 ones on ebay to cover the costs a bit

E55Dimon

E63 ones don't fit. And the reps don't support bixenon. Otherwise I'd have em.

grantwoodtx

What about buying the facelift lights and switching out just the lenses and sliver interior with you BiXenon and adative shell?

Can that be done?

I've also heard of someone who removed the lense and backed the lense in the oven and got it looking like new...