My Headlight DIY Modification and the Journey

the_road_less_traveled · 01-15-2013, 11:38 PM

Well, work is finally slowing down enough for me to enjoy some hobbies again. On the chopping block right now are the ugly stock and chromed out headlights. I should have taken more pics of the headlight and bumper removal, but its fairly straight forward.

Well here's the first of the headlights. The outer shroud is actually vinyl wrapped in the vinyl I'm wrapping the car with. For those of you that hate the matte colors, heres one for ya. Its a matte charcoal metallic! Its as close to a frozen color as I've seen It looks amazing.

Anyway. I'm slow, but will update with pics as often as time allows. I'll also give some explanation of the work thats been done.

In this pic its just the new AE's are laid on top of the OEM ones and the outer shroud is vinyl wrapped. Nothing super complicated yet.

Enjoy!

the_road_less_traveled · 01-15-2013, 11:40 PM

And I know someone is going to compliment on the fact that the vinyl doesnt conform to the pleats in the shroud. I was testing tonight to see if I could get vinyl to wrap right. Amazingly it does. This stuff if very workable.

mkPOTO · 01-16-2013, 12:09 AM

very nice!

ms372 · 01-16-2013, 12:21 AM

looking forward for this, using vinyl is a great idea

Jbook · 01-16-2013, 01:18 AM

Aren't you worried that the heat inside the headlight will cause the vinyl to come loose?

THE TECH · 01-16-2013, 10:42 AM

Looks good. Any reason you didn't paint it? I have to agree with the above that vinyl may not have been the best choice.

Rob@MoveraDesign · 01-16-2013, 12:12 PM

Vinyl may "unwrap" itself under the heat of the headlights. I would just paint it. Great project.

JYohay · 01-16-2013, 02:19 PM

Ya def just spray paint it
And FYI most people remove the OEM glass tube from the OEM angel ayes
If you want to get really crazy I know someone who can do some awesome stuff sithnLES angel eyes
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13316339

W/// · 01-16-2013, 03:25 PM

+1 with heat concern. Isn't it going to bubble?

M3PO · 01-16-2013, 08:30 PM

Which rings are those?

the_road_less_traveled · 01-16-2013, 09:07 PM

As most suspect, it is risky on the outer shroud. I dont expect that the shroud gets that hot because it is made of plastic. How hot does a cars hood get in the middle of the summer? Tons of cars are wrapped and bare the elements year round.

I chose the vinyl because its what I'm wrapping the car with therefore will match perfectly. Painting may be difficult to match exactly since its metallic yet matte. Only time will tell how the outcome will be. I plan to put a battery charger on the car in the garage and turn the high beams on for a few mins, then check the temp on the shrouds.

The rings are Luce Produkt Dual Orbs. Paint will be Rustoleum Satin Black and primer, both made for plastic. Also adding white led running lights in place of the amber running light.

The lenses were rock chipped so I sanded them with 220 up to 2000.

Will post some more pics up as I progress, but again Im slow due to working so much.

the_road_less_traveled · 01-18-2013, 07:21 PM

Heres an updated pics of the shrouds fully wrapped. Should be making some progress this weekend. Will post new ones up as I progress.

Also, as it turns out finding paint to march this finish is difficult. I called a ton of body shops as well as automotive paint stores and they all seemed pessimistic about being able to match it. I suppose I'll be the test mouse on this!

Sean@PYSpeed.com · 01-18-2013, 07:33 PM

Expensive DIY if you mess up! I wouldn't have the balls to open up my lights like that.

the_road_less_traveled · 01-18-2013, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean@PYSpeed.com

Expensive DIY if you mess up! I wouldn't have the balls to open up my lights like that.

Its not for everybody Sean. The daring part was when I took 220 grit to the lenses! They'll be as good or better than OSS lights when I'm done. No question!

the_road_less_traveled · 01-18-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfirer1guy

Its not for everybody Sean. The daring part was when I took 220 grit to the lenses! They'll be as good or better than OSS lights when I'm done. No question!

No disrespect to OSS either.

M3PO · 01-18-2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xfirer1guy

Its not for everybody Sean. The daring part was when I took 220 grit to the lenses! They'll be as good or better than OSS lights when I'm done. No question!

Were you able to tell if these lights are coated on the outside?

When I have wet sanded other lights, you can tell when you go through the coating because the when you spray them with water, the water beads differently on the coating than it does on the raw plastic.

edit: I have 57K and mine are pretty beat up so I've been toying with refinishing the lenses and throwing in some AEs while I am at it.

the_road_less_traveled · 01-19-2013, 09:42 PM

Latest pic. The black was supposed to be satin, but looks pretty glossy. I'm trying to decide if I like it or if I want matte on it. The car will me matte, so maybe its a good contract!?!?

Anyway, heres how they look now.

THE TECH · 01-21-2013, 10:45 AM

Looks good.

PhoenixRising · 01-21-2013, 07:22 PM

Very cool project. Especially if you're a brave DIY'er!

Nati Beastcat · 01-21-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Very cool project. Especially if you're a brave DIY'er!

Can't wait to see it all finished and installed. Only 5 months till timmay fest better hurry!

NYBulldog · 01-21-2013, 08:27 PM

Looks great. I'd be scared of the vinyl but it looks like you know what you are doing so you can probably correct it easily if something were to happen.

the_road_less_traveled · 01-21-2013, 08:48 PM

Some updates:

01-15-2013, 11:38 PM	#1
the_road_less_traveled Id rather be boating... 45 Rep 1,103 Posts Drives: Baja 26 Outlaw Join Date: May 2012 Location: the lake iTrader: (3)	My Headlight DIY Modification and the Journey Well, work is finally slowing down enough for me to enjoy some hobbies again. On the chopping block right now are the ugly stock and chromed out headlights. I should have taken more pics of the headlight and bumper removal, but its fairly straight forward. Well here's the first of the headlights. The outer shroud is actually vinyl wrapped in the vinyl I'm wrapping the car with. For those of you that hate the matte colors, heres one for ya. Its a matte charcoal metallic! Its as close to a frozen color as I've seen It looks amazing. Anyway. I'm slow, but will update with pics as often as time allows. I'll also give some explanation of the work thats been done. In this pic its just the new AE's are laid on top of the OEM ones and the outer shroud is vinyl wrapped. Nothing super complicated yet. Enjoy! Attached Images Last edited by the_road_less_traveled; 01-19-2013 at 09:39 PM.
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01-15-2013, 11:40 PM	#2
the_road_less_traveled Id rather be boating... 45 Rep 1,103 Posts Drives: Baja 26 Outlaw Join Date: May 2012 Location: the lake iTrader: (3)	And I know someone is going to compliment on the fact that the vinyl doesnt conform to the pleats in the shroud. I was testing tonight to see if I could get vinyl to wrap right. Amazingly it does. This stuff if very workable.
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01-16-2013, 12:09 AM	#3
mkPOTO Mr. Nice Says Hello 355 Rep 16,561 Posts Drives: BMW M3 \| X5 xdrive 35i MSport Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (25) Garage List 2002 Lexus GS300 [0.00] 2008 BMW E92 M3 [2.79]	very nice! __________________ Evolve E600 BMW E92 M3 \| BMW E70 X5 xdrive35 M-sport
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01-16-2013, 12:21 AM	#4
ms372 White Shark 43 Rep 922 Posts Drives: AW E92 m3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	looking forward for this, using vinyl is a great idea __________________ ESS \| Challenge x-pipe \| Akrapovic \| Stoptech BBK (380/355) \|Ohlins R&T \| Dinan \| Vorsteiner \| Downforce USA \| Varis Diffuser \| Gintani \| UUC \| BMW Performance \| Macht Schnell \| Forgestar F14's SDC 19x9.5F 19x11R \| 255.35 295.30
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01-16-2013, 01:18 AM	#5
Jbook Major 79 Rep 1,490 Posts Drives: '15 FO M4 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NorCal Bay Area iTrader: (23) Garage List 2011 BMW E90 M3 [4.72]	Aren't you worried that the heat inside the headlight will cause the vinyl to come loose? __________________ Fire Orange F82 Built by Alekshop \| Pure Stage 2 Turbos \| Akrapovic Evolution and Downpipes \| ESS T-500 Performance ECU Software \| Evolution Racewerks Chargepipes \| Gruppe M CAI \| Awron Gauge w/ Valve Control \| KW Clubsport \| Brembo GT 380 F&R \| 19" BBS FI-R \| BMW Performance Seats, Aero, and Steering Wheel \| Vorsteiner Diffuser \| IND Cosmetics
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01-16-2013, 10:42 AM	#6
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 206 Rep 13,111 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2014 Honda Grom [0.00] 2012 Honda Ruckus [0.00] 2005 Chevy Silverad ... [0.00] 1995 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Looks good. Any reason you didn't paint it? I have to agree with the above that vinyl may not have been the best choice.
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01-16-2013, 12:12 PM	#7
Rob@MoveraDesign Lieutenant Colonel 221 Rep 1,956 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (6)	Vinyl may "unwrap" itself under the heat of the headlights. I would just paint it. Great project. __________________ www.MoveraDesign.com Email: Info@MoveraDesign.com Instagram
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01-16-2013, 02:19 PM	#8
JYohay Banned 27 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	Ya def just spray paint it And FYI most people remove the OEM glass tube from the OEM angel ayes If you want to get really crazy I know someone who can do some awesome stuff sithnLES angel eyes http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13316339
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01-16-2013, 03:25 PM	#9
W/// Lieutenant General 2611 Rep 10,611 Posts Drives: 08 E92 M3 /07 Z4MR / 99 E36 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SC iTrader: (13)	+1 with heat concern. Isn't it going to bubble? __________________ Current: E92 M3 Sparkling Graphite/Bamboo Beige/6MT. E36 M3 Techno Violet/Dove/5MT. E85 Z4MR Alpine White/Imola Red/6MT
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01-16-2013, 08:30 PM	#10
M3PO Colonel 52 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	Which rings are those? __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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01-16-2013, 09:07 PM	#11
the_road_less_traveled Id rather be boating... 45 Rep 1,103 Posts Drives: Baja 26 Outlaw Join Date: May 2012 Location: the lake iTrader: (3)	As most suspect, it is risky on the outer shroud. I dont expect that the shroud gets that hot because it is made of plastic. How hot does a cars hood get in the middle of the summer? Tons of cars are wrapped and bare the elements year round. I chose the vinyl because its what I'm wrapping the car with therefore will match perfectly. Painting may be difficult to match exactly since its metallic yet matte. Only time will tell how the outcome will be. I plan to put a battery charger on the car in the garage and turn the high beams on for a few mins, then check the temp on the shrouds. The rings are Luce Produkt Dual Orbs. Paint will be Rustoleum Satin Black and primer, both made for plastic. Also adding white led running lights in place of the amber running light. The lenses were rock chipped so I sanded them with 220 up to 2000. Will post some more pics up as I progress, but again Im slow due to working so much.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-18-2013, 07:21 PM	#12
the_road_less_traveled Id rather be boating... 45 Rep 1,103 Posts Drives: Baja 26 Outlaw Join Date: May 2012 Location: the lake iTrader: (3)	Heres an updated pics of the shrouds fully wrapped. Should be making some progress this weekend. Will post new ones up as I progress. Also, as it turns out finding paint to march this finish is difficult. I called a ton of body shops as well as automotive paint stores and they all seemed pessimistic about being able to match it. I suppose I'll be the test mouse on this! Attached Images
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01-18-2013, 07:33 PM	#13
Sean@PYSpeed.com 160 Rep 8,956 Posts Drives: 2009 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (22)	Expensive DIY if you mess up! I wouldn't have the balls to open up my lights like that.
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01-19-2013, 09:42 PM	#17
the_road_less_traveled Id rather be boating... 45 Rep 1,103 Posts Drives: Baja 26 Outlaw Join Date: May 2012 Location: the lake iTrader: (3)	Latest pic. The black was supposed to be satin, but looks pretty glossy. I'm trying to decide if I like it or if I want matte on it. The car will me matte, so maybe its a good contract!?!? Anyway, heres how they look now. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-21-2013, 10:45 AM	#18
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 206 Rep 13,111 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2014 Honda Grom [0.00] 2012 Honda Ruckus [0.00] 2005 Chevy Silverad ... [0.00] 1995 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Looks good.
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01-21-2013, 07:22 PM	#19
PhoenixRising Important text here 7 Rep 130 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 Conv Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW E93 M3 [0.00] 2004 Porsche 911 C4S [0.00]	Very cool project. Especially if you're a brave DIY'er! __________________ 2009 AM V8 Vantage Conv - Berwick Bronze, Quicksilver Exhaust 2013 M3 Conv - (RIP) thanks to uninsured a-hole 2004 Porsche 911 C4S Conv
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01-21-2013, 08:27 PM	#21
NYBulldog Specialist 213 Rep 1,444 Posts Drives: Nikes Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NuYawk iTrader: (10)	Looks great. I'd be scared of the vinyl but it looks like you know what you are doing so you can probably correct it easily if something were to happen.
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01-21-2013, 08:48 PM	#22
the_road_less_traveled Id rather be boating... 45 Rep 1,103 Posts Drives: Baja 26 Outlaw Join Date: May 2012 Location: the lake iTrader: (3)	Some updates: Attached Images
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