F36 Adaptive LED "fog"

Prak903 · 09-01-2022, 10:45 AM

Hi all, recently picked up a F36 from the south. Didn't notice at first, but the headlights almost look "fogged" up. Lights look fine, no water or condensation inside but almost looks like whoever detailed the car previously left a lot of "fuzz" on the headlights. I am thinking of taking it to a local shop to have them wet sand and restore to see if that helps. Any ideas?

Squibby1996 · 09-04-2022, 02:45 PM

Worth a try but looks like crazing to me, like small cracks over the lens so may not be able to get rid of but try that first.

If not you can get replacement lens rather than a new headlight don't think it's an easy job though, but I'm sure there are company's out there that'll replace the lens cheaper than a headlight

locolok · 09-05-2022, 08:56 AM

You need to sand and re-lacquer the headlight screen, a paint specialist should do it for you.

Billfitz · 09-05-2022, 09:14 AM

Make sure that it's on the outside. Mine look like that in some light conditions, but it's on the inside. It doesn't seem to cause any problem.

Prak903 · 09-05-2022, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squibby1996

Worth a try but looks like crazing to me, like small cracks over the lens so may not be able to get rid of but try that first.

If not you can get replacement lens rather than a new headlight don't think it's an easy job though, but I'm sure there are company's out there that'll replace the lens cheaper than a headlight

Yeah honestly it doesn't affect the light output, just looks cosmetically bad when the beams are on. I may try to get someone to sand and recoat the lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by locolok

You need to sand and re-lacquer the headlight screen, a paint specialist should do it for you.

Yeah that is what I was thinking of doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Make sure that it's on the outside. Mine look like that in some light conditions, but it's on the inside. It doesn't seem to cause any problem.

This is the same thing a local detailing shop said when I tried to get their headlight restoration package. I might try to find another one and just see if it works or not.

Billfitz · 09-05-2022, 04:00 PM

You don't need to restore the headlight to find out if the crazing is on the outside or inside of the lens. You can see it. Hold a flash light close to it with the lights off, the reflected light will reveal either a smooth or a rough surface.

Prak903 · 09-05-2022, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

You don't need to restore the headlight to find out if the crazing is on the outside or inside of the lens. You can see it. Hold a flash light close to it with the lights off, the reflected light will reveal either a smooth or a rough surface.

Just checked it , outside is smooth. So looks like it is on the inside. Probably will leave it alone for now.

Thanks for the tip!

fortythirtyfive · 09-11-2022, 07:40 PM

For knowledge.. the crazing can actually start in the middle of the casting, however this looks like it's already took place.

Lenses are totally available just make sure you receive the LCI lenses. I couldn't source any at the time I replaced mine so I bought pre-lci.. which fit, but the casting line is different and there's a couple of different tabs which won't clip onto anything.

09-01-2022, 10:45 AM	#1
Prak903 Second Lieutenant 198 Rep 287 Posts Drives: 2018 440i xDrive Gran Coupe Join Date: May 2022 Location: Chicago, IL / Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i xDriv ... [9.50]	F36 Adaptive LED "fog" Hi all, recently picked up a F36 from the south. Didn't notice at first, but the headlights almost look "fogged" up. Lights look fine, no water or condensation inside but almost looks like whoever detailed the car previously left a lot of "fuzz" on the headlights. I am thinking of taking it to a local shop to have them wet sand and restore to see if that helps. Any ideas?
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09-04-2022, 02:45 PM	#2
Squibby1996 Second Lieutenant 70 Rep 208 Posts Drives: BMW F36 440i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Somerset iTrader: (0)	Worth a try but looks like crazing to me, like small cracks over the lens so may not be able to get rid of but try that first. If not you can get replacement lens rather than a new headlight don't think it's an easy job though, but I'm sure there are company's out there that'll replace the lens cheaper than a headlight
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09-05-2022, 08:56 AM	#3
locolok Private 27 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 320d e92 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: España iTrader: (0)	You need to sand and re-lacquer the headlight screen, a paint specialist should do it for you.
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09-05-2022, 09:14 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8313 Rep 16,197 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Make sure that it's on the outside. Mine look like that in some light conditions, but it's on the inside. It doesn't seem to cause any problem.
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09-05-2022, 04:00 PM	#6
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8313 Rep 16,197 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	You don't need to restore the headlight to find out if the crazing is on the outside or inside of the lens. You can see it. Hold a flash light close to it with the lights off, the reflected light will reveal either a smooth or a rough surface.
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09-11-2022, 07:40 PM	#8
fortythirtyfive Major 649 Rep 1,387 Posts Drives: 435i MS Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: North iTrader: (0)	For knowledge.. the crazing can actually start in the middle of the casting, however this looks like it's already took place. Lenses are totally available just make sure you receive the LCI lenses. I couldn't source any at the time I replaced mine so I bought pre-lci.. which fit, but the casting line is different and there's a couple of different tabs which won't clip onto anything.
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