View Full Version : Detinting front lights
Noticed today that at some point the front lights have been very slightly tinted. One side is flaking a fair bit so want to get rid of the tint.
Whats the best way to do it without scratching or melting the plastic?
talkingcars
28-09-11, 08:10 PM
Nail varnish remover.
would that damage perpex though james? i dunno just wondering
something like tcut or safe cut?
Was thonking t-cut myself but wasn't sure if that was too rough on the lights?!
steve would likely know for sure
JIMZS180
28-09-11, 09:01 PM
Was thonking t-cut myself but wasn't sure if that was too rough on the lights?!
I have some of that stuff for doing the clear plastic of the lights ,cant remember the name but can get some out of the bottle if you are passing!!!
talkingcars
28-09-11, 09:05 PM
The light tinting kit that I used to tint my lights came with a bottle of accetate which is what nail varnish remover is made from.
Used gently it will do less damage than an abrasive polish.
White spirit would work but that will damage the plastic.
Jim, is it for removing tint?
JIMZS180
28-09-11, 10:07 PM
no its one of these cleaners that was mentioned in another thread for decontaminating the lights
That'd be cool then Jim. Kat is in Perth tomorrow, I'll ask if she can pop up.
Jay-ZS+
29-09-11, 08:26 AM
White sprit of meths depending on the type of spray used.
JIMZS180
29-09-11, 09:03 AM
That'd be cool then Jim. Kat is in Perth tomorrow, I'll ask if she can pop up.
no problem..if we are out will be in the usual place!!!
braggy71
29-09-11, 09:17 AM
Meguiars Plasti-x I've used it to clean up the lights on the 110 that were doing the same. Done a reasonable job certainly cleaned them up but think you would have to do it a few times to clear it completely. (its very similar to T-cut)
JIMZS180
29-09-11, 09:25 AM
Meguiars Plasti-x I've used it to clean up the lights on the 110 that were doing the same. Done a reasonable job certainly cleaned them up but think you would have to do it a few times to clear it completely. (its very similar to T-cut)
thats the stuff i have left out for you Blair
Well I tried more t-cut, meguiars from Jim and nail polish remover and not one bit of difference! Using a credit card to scrape it does remove it painfully slowly but I'm worried this will be causing damage to the plastic with scratches etc. Any more suggestions?!
Except buying new ones!
Jay-ZS+
04-10-11, 07:52 PM
Meths will do it!
tried to warm it as well? on a low heat with a hair dryer
I put the HIDs on to warm it lol. Won't the hairdryer damage the lens?
not at a low temp i wouldnt think, i take it its a film thats put on, not sprayed?
looks like a spray job as it looks like there is overspray along the top.
would say warm it a bit and keep wowrking at it with the solvents i think mate, its gonna be a mare though if its been sprayyed
I'm pretty certain it's sprayed. Can't understand why someone would spray tint the clear lens?!?
probably to murder it out lol
It seems doubly daft when they fitted HIDs for extra brightness to then dull it down again! I just hope the surface won't be too scraped when it's removed cos surely that would ruin the beam pattern for mot?!
nah the rear reflector does the beam pattern, theyll have done it so the front reflectors sisnt show up so much i guess, never really been a big issue for me though i have to say lol.
i dont like the fly eyes for the front either, people say they dont make any difference to the light output, but how can they not? you put net curtains up and the room gets darker its the same thing, rather see where im going tbh
I agree. Which is why it seems daft to go HID then dim it with tints! Each to their own but I'll get it off somehow!!
Jay-ZS+
05-10-11, 10:10 AM
Did you check the at nail varnish remover wasnt the accetone free one as if thats the case you could soak it in the stuff for days and wouldnt touch it.
If its sprayed on then you will have too choices wipe it off with solvents. Ie Methylated spirits, white spirit, Accetone, Celulose thinners depending on the base of the spray. Meths would be my first try as its less likely to do any damage. When I took the vinyl off the car I had to basically wash it with the stuff as left loads of residue everywhere.
Or sand it off with some fine wet'n dry and work your way up the grits and buff the lights up. As said wont effect the beam pattern, youd have to sand a hell of alot off to do that as the beam is focused from the inside. Its more time consuming for sure.
If the nail varnish remover definatly contained accetone (different from accetate ;) ) then Id be tempted to try meths then as a last attempt thinners although do with care as its agressive on plastics and paint! Wash off with plenty of water afterwards. If all else fails petrol or brake fluid strip most things!! :yikes:
Alternatively E-tech sell a tinting spray remover ;) which will have a base of one of the previously mentioned chemicals.
Very informative guys cheers. The nail polish remover does have acetone but it didn't even touch it. Made the tints clean though!
Will give meth a shot and see how I go.
Swap the headlights out of the 110.job done.
Couldn't do that as it would leave Kyle with the problem lol
Wee update. It is definately spray stuff as there is plenty of overspray.
Meths does absolutely nothing to it at all, I assumed it would liquify the spray and rub off. I've done more rubbing than would be required for a solid wank and still no bl00dy joy.
I have scraped the majority off one bit it leaves the edges which is thicker due to overspray.
Cannot be ar5ed doing the same process on the other one as it has taken me 2 hours thus far!!!
drink the meths and forget about the lights :)
zsserbia
06-10-11, 12:19 AM
This may be stupid but could you just machine polish it? Or try the clay bar? Or an angle grinder :angel:
MG ZS STE
07-10-11, 12:31 PM
I'm actually considering tinting my HL's. want this type of effect, any recommendations?
http://forums.5series.net/uploads/1159562261/med_gallery_575_50_96210.jpg
If only you said a week ago
talkingcars
07-10-11, 06:18 PM
I'm actually considering tinting my HL's. want this type of effect, any recommendations?
http://forums.5series.net/uploads/1159562261/med_gallery_575_50_96210.jpg
The image shows a "please visit another forum" messege.
I recomend you use a different image.
Dont do it! Once it starts to blister it is a nightmare to remove!
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