Headlight amber solution: Bake vs. Heat Gun

[1speedbike]

Your solution looks pretty good! I don't think you can bake the 1 series headlights. People have tried and encountered real problems with it. They don't just pop open if you bake them. I think the only solutions are full replacements (OEM or aftermarket like DEPO/Sonar/LS1), vinyl, or the bimmian color matched pieces.

I'm also loving the red "ears" and the black roof!

[Canasian]

Originally Posted by J Lau

Yes i had a custom plate on my E46
I am Justin
and I am asian

lol

Do I know you?

Haha no. The Lau just sounds like an Asian name and Justin is somewhat of a 'typical' choice. Jason would be another guess but Justin Lau just seems to roll off the tongue easier so the parents went with it I'm guessing I likely don't know you unless you live in WA state or play Street Fighter IV.

[J Lau]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

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. $$$$.

Thanks for the advice. I double checked to make sure they are on correctly.
and Yeah, my gf really likes the red mirrors lol.

its actually pretty sharp on the road =)

[J Lau]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

Your solution looks pretty good! I don't think you can bake the 1 series headlights. People have tried and encountered real problems with it. They don't just pop open if you bake them. I think the only solutions are full replacements (OEM or aftermarket like DEPO/Sonar/LS1), vinyl, or the bimmian color matched pieces.

I'm also loving the red "ears" and the black roof!

I know heat gun works, but I dont have the confident to take on this task, and since it's purchased not lease, I do not want to deal with on going issues.

Thanks for loving the Red "ears" and the black roof!!!
It's funny this is how my gf calls them too!

[EDDY_YIYI]

Originally Posted by J Lau

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

How did you do that? Do you have any instruction?

[J Lau]

Originally Posted by wudi13

How did you do that? Do you have any instruction?

no. but simply just stick the Chrome vinyl on (make sure there are no bubbles)
then turn on your light to the first level.
start cutting the portion that is see thru'd (be very careful, do not let the blade touches the headlight cover. the vinyl is very thin, so you do not need to try very hard. Just lightly place the blade on the vinyl, and drag it. NO PUSHING)

[EDDY_YIYI]

Thank you very much. it helps!

Originally Posted by J Lau

no. but simply just stick the Chrome vinyl on (make sure there are no bubbles)
then turn on your light to the first level.
start cutting the portion that is see thru'd (be very careful, do not let the blade touches the headlight cover. the vinyl is very thin, so you do not need to try very hard. Just lightly place the blade on the vinyl, and drag it. NO PUSHING)

[J Lau]

Originally Posted by wudi13

Thank you very much. it helps!

You are welcome.
One more thing to be aware of. the step where i said turn on the corner light and cut off the lighted up portion, can be tricky.

Since the vinyl is an overlay on the lens cover, and there is a gap between the lens cover and the actual amber reflector in the housing.
Make sure u leave 1-2cm of the lighted up portion of the vinyl when you cut it or you will still see some amber in certain angles especially when you stand in front of the car.

you will know what i mean when you do it.

[ShocknAwe]

Thinking about trying something like this, where did you get your vinyl from man?

[J Lau]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Thinking about trying something like this, where did you get your vinyl from man?

eBay.
search for chrome vinyl.

[WPG D33Z]

Not feeling the stickers or the red mirrors. To each their own I guess.

[FIRST1]

could have went my route. Bimmian headlight reflector covers (painted to match your car) with the amber to be coded OFF when the headlights are on. Altogether the covers and coding cost me less than $200

[ShocknAwe]

$150 for amber covers is A LOT. If I were dropping that I'd just save and buy euro headlights assys.

[J Lau]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

$150 for amber covers is A LOT. If I were dropping that I'd just save and buy euro headlights assys.

OK. $150 is alot of the amber solution
but buying a new Euro headlight is 10x more.

just ask someone to open up the housings.

[Moocow]

Its funny that your girlfriend was so determined to get rid of the orange corners, but went with bright red mirrors.

Each to their own...............

[J Lau]

Originally Posted by Moocow

Its funny that your girlfriend was so determined to get rid of the orange corners, but went with bright red mirrors.

Each to their own...............

lol yea. we went to Mfest a few months ago, and she these M3 with red mirrors and she thought they were "cute"

I actually suggested have orange mirror to match with the amber corners but she said they GOTTA be red, lol.

well I guess the out come isn't tooooooo bad. I can see people thinking it's tacky, but I can get over it.