BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      05-15-2012, 05:12 PM   #1
J Lau
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Headlight amber solution: Bake vs. Heat Gun

So my gf's 135i is arriving within a month. YEAHHHH!!!
And She said she HAS to have the amber corners deleted. This is the first time she cares about her car. So she is quite serious about those reflectors. We all know the best solution is to burn $2,000+ for a new set. But I don't want her to kill her money.

I can vinyl wrap the entire car to match with the amber corners with $2,000.

So what are my alternative solutions?
-Vinyl Overlay? STRIKEOUT! NO!
-baking headlight? Possible
-using heat gun? Maybe

So between baking and using heat gun. Which one is more effective or less risk.

And why did people stop baking when we were so good at doing it on the previous e46.

I just want to know what do I need to be aware of while doing it.

Thanks

J Lau
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      05-15-2012, 10:56 PM   #2
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Dunno, haven't yet see anyone do it. Not sure if it's not possible like it was in the past, or if the car is just of an age / buyer type that people haven't decided to mess with it. I've tried a few times to buy a busted cheap headlight but no luck so far. Curious about this myself.
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      05-15-2012, 11:24 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tracer bullet View Post
Dunno, haven't yet see anyone do it. Not sure if it's not possible like it was in the past, or if the car is just of an age / buyer type that people haven't decided to mess with it. I've tried a few times to buy a busted cheap headlight but no luck so far. Curious about this myself.
what do you mean by you have tried baking headlights a few times but no luck. How bad were the results.
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      05-16-2012, 09:56 PM   #4
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Hmm, re-read what i wrote. I said I have tried to buy headlights so I could attempt to take them apart.

Have emailed people on ebay selling good headlights to see if they had any bad ones, have tried here, etc.
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      05-17-2012, 01:07 PM   #5
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I baked my WRX headlights to remove the reflectors. I picked a day with low humidity and followed a very good write up. They looked great for about 3 years, then the condensation started. I'll never crack open a sealed headlight again. Just my $0.02.
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      05-17-2012, 01:14 PM   #6
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OP - if your GF wants the orange corners gone better breakout your wallet bc you will need $1,500 for some euro clear headlights. No one has baked or heat gunned our lights successfully.
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      05-17-2012, 01:27 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
OP - if your GF wants the orange corners gone better breakout your wallet bc you will need $1,500 for some euro clear headlights. No one has baked or heat gunned our lights successfully.
Well BavX are doing something to open them

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465567
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      05-19-2012, 09:14 PM   #8
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Just buy her a set of these...

http://www.bimmian.com/Headlight-Ref...W-E82-1-Series

They work great. Yeah, I would not risk taking apart the headlights on the 135 due to the condensation issue and replacement cost of $2000. The e46 is easier b/c the headlights come apart very easily...had a couple of friends do this.

BTW...if you do buy these dont use their tape. Buy 3M dbl sided tape from Home depot.
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      05-19-2012, 10:58 PM   #9
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good luck
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      05-20-2012, 02:24 PM   #10
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Try to look on 3 series forum there is a few DIY's heat gun. Looks not so difficult.
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      05-20-2012, 03:24 PM   #11
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Take photos of how you did this, and share the results with us.
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      05-20-2012, 06:50 PM   #12
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Quote:
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Take photos of how you did this, and share the results with us.
^^ what he said
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      05-21-2012, 11:51 AM   #13
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Will definitely let you all know how it goes.

I just need the car to be here first!!!!
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      05-21-2012, 12:31 PM   #14
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There was also a guy on here selling adaptive ones for much less than 2k. Also seen them on ebay for a bit over 1k. IMO do it right and just buy a new set.
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      05-21-2012, 03:08 PM   #15
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Amber solution for even 1k $ that is already to much
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      07-20-2012, 03:58 AM   #16
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Sorry guys. I chicken'd out, and gave up on the thought.

My gf decided to buy the car instead of leasing it at the end.
Therefore, we didn't want to take the risk. And here is my solution =(

Photoshopped to dim inner rings







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      07-20-2012, 09:31 AM   #17
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Looks good,
Someone here did the same, but also added some Tint to make it look grey
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"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      07-20-2012, 12:51 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J Lau View Post
Sorry guys. I chicken'd out, and gave up on the thought.

My gf decided to buy the car instead of leasing it at the end.
Therefore, we didn't want to take the risk. And here is my solution =(

Photoshopped to dim inner rings








Which AE's are these?
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      07-23-2012, 12:54 AM   #19
J Lau
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattryan View Post
Which AE's are these?
they are cheap ebay AE. http://www.ebay.com/itm/330747961468...ht_3384wt_1163

do not get them. I could barely see the outer rings at night. I ended up returning them
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      07-23-2012, 01:03 AM   #20
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I just noticed you got a custom license plate (on an old 3-series?)... what does J stand for? Justin? Are you Asian?
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      07-23-2012, 09:55 AM   #21
J Lau
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canasian View Post
I just noticed you got a custom license plate (on an old 3-series?)... what does J stand for? Justin? Are you Asian?
Yes i had a custom plate on my E46
I am Justin
and I am asian

lol

Do I know you?
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      07-23-2012, 10:04 AM   #22
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Hey Justin... well.. I like that silver foil/wrap on your orange corners.

Whats up with those red mirrors though!?!? Also... make sure those access bulb covers are back on fully! Many people think they put them back on correctly... until they wash the car and have an AHL (adaptive headlight) failure. $$$$.
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