Headlight Protector Install
3M Headlight Protectors from Bavarian Autosport
Having recently replaced the low beams, high beams and the foglights on my M5, I can say that it wasn't cheap. Hence, I opted for some degree of protection from possible damage due to road debris. Although these urethane covers won't help if you hit actual garbage on the highway, these covers do help in preventing small damage, like cracks or chips in the headlight/foglight lense from rocks.
There are numerous companies out there that make headlight covers. I got mine from Bavarian Autosport.
They cost me about $60 after shipping and tax and comes with everything for the front end of the car. The kit included: 2 low beams, 2 high beams, 2 corner markers, and 2 foglights. Not bad and cheaper than replacing even just one headlight.
The instructions are good and tell you that you should use:
1. A spray bottle filled with alcohol and water. I used water and soap.
2. Squeegee (provided)
3. Hair dryer or heatgun
First thing you want to do is match up the right protector for the right lights. The headlights are all the same, but the front corner lights and the foglights are left and right side specific.
Peel back the backing paper.
Water down the lense and the sticky side of the headlight protector, making sure you don't touch the adhesive or you'll leave your fingerprints in the glue and it won't come out. And obviously, don't drop it or get it contaminated with dust or dirt.
Then fit the cover onto the light
Add some heat and the urethane will warp and start to curve to the shape of the light.
After the cover starts to stick to the light, use the squeegee to start pushing the bubbles of air towards the edges of the covers.
Here's what the finished product should look like (this picture shows a completed low beam next to a yet-to-be-done high beam)
The lense will look hazy due to the glue, but after a short time the haze will clear as the water and soap dry out. The amount of time it takes for the haze to clear depends on your area's weather climate or if you drive around with your lights on, Just make sure you get all the air pockets squeegee'd out before everything dries.
And that's it!
Back to Stan's Internet Rest Stop