Painted reflector install FAIL

Miami M3 · 03-28-2011, 01:31 PM

I was debating whether to post this or not because it's just plain embarrassing, but I could really use some help. I got in my IND painted reflectors last Friday after coming home from happy hour (no, I didn't drive). In my less than sober condition I decided I could just pop them in right then and there and it wouldn't take more than a minute. Well, getting the old ones out was no problem at all, and installing the left one took all of 10 seconds. Feeling a little drunk and cocky about how easy this install was, I tried popping the right one in with one hand while checking my phone with the other. Now my painted reflector is sitting somewhere inside my bumper and I have no way to get it out. Yea, I dropped it through the hole. Don't ask me how, I wasn't looking when it happened

So my question is, how the hell do I get my reflector back from in there? Someone please tell me there's an easy way to do it that doesn't involve a torx wrench or betalink.

geneatals · 03-28-2011, 01:55 PM

some tape at the end of a bent wire hanger might fish it out...good luck

LateBraking · 03-28-2011, 01:58 PM

Indeed, get some really sticky duct tape, and wrap it inside-out on a coat hanger, bend it so it slips in and fish it out. It's what I did the first time I had done this and failed.

It's not embarassing, I recommended painters tape in my DIY to secure the reflectors down a little, but I never thought of that when I did my first ever install. Live and learn.

Miami M3 · 03-28-2011, 02:09 PM

Thanks guys, I'll give it a try when I get home tonight. Hopefully it'll work.

curious_t · 03-28-2011, 02:10 PM

i used two really long chopsticks with duck tape. When you do the duck tape, remember to make the sticky surface area really big.

Das M · 03-28-2011, 02:33 PM

jack up the front side that reflector fell into, unsbolt two or three bolts from the wheel liner, reach in and grab it. don't ask me how i know this works. LOL

Dieselino · 03-28-2011, 09:06 PM

Second that, happened to me aswell, you can remove some of the torx bolts in the fender liner just enough to stick your hand in there. Only way to get it out. Just turn the wheel all the way over so you have room. No need to jack it up.

Cptn Mo 703 · 03-28-2011, 09:13 PM

I did the same thing, minus the drunk part lol but just unscrew a few of the bolts on the bottom of the car and you should be able to find it.

Krozi · 03-28-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geneatals

some tape at the end of a bent wire hanger might fish it out...good luck

That or taking off the wheel and tire well...takes all of 20min.

Or you can turn the wheel, take off the 3 bolts on the bottom of the tire well...and go fishing. You should be able to get it this way.

1sikbmr · 03-28-2011, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335viaSTi

jack up the front side that reflector fell into, unsbolt two or three bolts from the wheel liner, reach in and grab it. don't ask me how i know this works. LOL

no need to jack it up... just turn the wheel completely the other way and remove the three bolts. pull it back a little and grab the reflector.

DCC · 03-29-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geneatals

some tape at the end of a bent wire hanger might fish it out...good luck

Make sure you are sober before trying the above...

NYCM3ryder · 03-29-2011, 01:54 PM

not to self dont do this drunk

lol...

Ryan@IND · 03-29-2011, 02:18 PM

If you are still drinking avoid the frustration of the tape/fishing method

crummer · 03-29-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew@IND

If you are still drinking avoid the frustration of the tape/fishing method

Classic!

saeedg48 · 03-29-2011, 03:47 PM

AHHA

Bilvo · 03-29-2011, 08:48 PM

man I feel even worse, I was sober when I dropped one in the bumper... coat hanger and electrical tape worked first time though.

roller · 04-03-2011, 11:32 PM

Happened to me too, fished it out with a ruler and duct tape.

Templar · 04-04-2011, 08:11 AM

Yea, I've heard of people doing the same thing (dropping the reflector in there) while sober. When I read up on this I was extremely careful to not drop it in there (although I almost did). I was like, "NONONONONO!!" lol...

I suggest just undoing the few bolts and reaching in there to get it out. It might be more trouble than it's worth fishing there forever trying to get it to stick to whatever you're fishing with.

bsiciliano · 05-27-2011, 01:54 AM

I did it too. I crafted a fish hook out of a hanger and ever so slowly lifted it up from the metal prongs. Pain in the ass. The duct tape stab wad a FAIL for me.

lve2xlr8 · 05-31-2011, 05:36 AM

Wait till you do the fender grills if you do... Those little circle things SUCK, tape on a stick worked for me haha

Rbembas_M3 · 08-01-2014, 12:53 PM

It's easy a flashlight and a wire with a hook bent on the end. fished it right out in minutes....

matt328xi · 08-01-2014, 04:40 PM

you should heat up at least 5mins to break the adhesive

03-28-2011, 01:31 PM	#1
Miami M3 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Painted reflector install FAIL I was debating whether to post this or not because it's just plain embarrassing, but I could really use some help. I got in my IND painted reflectors last Friday after coming home from happy hour (no, I didn't drive). In my less than sober condition I decided I could just pop them in right then and there and it wouldn't take more than a minute. Well, getting the old ones out was no problem at all, and installing the left one took all of 10 seconds. Feeling a little drunk and cocky about how easy this install was, I tried popping the right one in with one hand while checking my phone with the other. Now my painted reflector is sitting somewhere inside my bumper and I have no way to get it out. Yea, I dropped it through the hole. Don't ask me how, I wasn't looking when it happened So my question is, how the hell do I get my reflector back from in there? Someone please tell me there's an easy way to do it that doesn't involve a torx wrench or betalink.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-28-2011, 01:55 PM	#2
geneatals Ninja 390 Rep 4,014 Posts Drives: 2019 530e Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: So Cal (SFV) iTrader: (3)	some tape at the end of a bent wire hanger might fish it out...good luck __________________ 2019 AW G30 530e l ZPP l ZMP l ZDH Retired: 2016 F80 M3, 2012 E90 M3, 2008 535i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2011, 01:58 PM	#3
LateBraking Brigadier General 326 Rep 3,882 Posts Drives: Relatively Quick. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A. iTrader: (27)	Indeed, get some really sticky duct tape, and wrap it inside-out on a coat hanger, bend it so it slips in and fish it out. It's what I did the first time I had done this and failed. It's not embarassing, I recommended painters tape in my DIY to secure the reflectors down a little, but I never thought of that when I did my first ever install. Live and learn.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2011, 02:09 PM	#4
Miami M3 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, I'll give it a try when I get home tonight. Hopefully it'll work.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2011, 02:10 PM	#5
curious_t New Member 0 Rep 27 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	i used two really long chopsticks with duck tape. When you do the duck tape, remember to make the sticky surface area really big.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2011, 02:33 PM	#6
Das M Colonel 69 Rep 2,382 Posts Drives: YMB F80 ///M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NoVA iTrader: (3)	jack up the front side that reflector fell into, unsbolt two or three bolts from the wheel liner, reach in and grab it. don't ask me how i know this works. LOL __________________ 2016 F80 ///M3 [YMB / Black Full Merino / Carbon Fiber Trim / DCT / Everything] I picked DCT because I want to be more involved in my un-involvement.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2011, 09:06 PM	#7
Dieselino Captain 47 Rep 613 Posts Drives: 03 LSB M3 06 M coupe 08 M3 SG Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Detroit iTrader: (2)	Second that, happened to me aswell, you can remove some of the torx bolts in the fender liner just enough to stick your hand in there. Only way to get it out. Just turn the wheel all the way over so you have room. No need to jack it up.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2011, 09:13 PM	#8
Cptn Mo 703 Lieutenant Colonel 116 Rep 1,603 Posts Drives: my feet Join Date: May 2009 Location: NoVa iTrader: (15) Garage List 2010 BMW e92 M3 ret ... [10.00] 2009 BMW e93 335i r ... [9.50]	I did the same thing, minus the drunk part lol but just unscrew a few of the bolts on the bottom of the car and you should be able to find it. __________________ 2008 Alpine White e93 335i- Sold 2009 Black Sap. Met. e93 335i- Sold 2010 Melbourne Red e92 M3- Sold
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2011, 01:54 PM	#12
NYCM3ryder Razzor 28 Rep 517 Posts Drives: JB E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	not to self dont do this drunk lol... __________________ 2011 E90, 6 speed, technology package, black 220 rims , EDC, moon roof, matt black grills, matte side grills, 15% carbon tints, carbon fiber M pedals, ACS roof wing, IND painted reflectors, mfest black gloss m3badges, Mfest side window stickers, Tuner MS 15mm spacers, Carbon fiber M foot pedals, MS air filter, RPI air scoops, euro switch mod
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2011, 02:18 PM	#13
Ryan@IND BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 1767 Rep 7,652 Posts Drives: ACR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago iTrader: (18)	If you are still drinking avoid the frustration of the tape/fishing method __________________ IND DISTRIBUTION \| 866-963-4520 • INSTAGRAM • FACEBOOK • FLICKR
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2011, 03:47 PM	#15
saeedg48 Brigadier General 342 Rep 3,574 Posts Drives: Porsche 991.1 GT3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Newport Beach, CA iTrader: (1)	AHHA __________________ 2015 Porsche 991.1 GT3 2015 F80 M3 -- Individual; Space Grey
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2011, 08:48 PM	#16
Bilvo New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: '11 M3 Coupe Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	man I feel even worse, I was sober when I dropped one in the bumper... coat hanger and electrical tape worked first time though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2011, 11:32 PM	#17
roller Private First Class 10 Rep 164 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (0)	Happened to me too, fished it out with a ruler and duct tape.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-04-2011, 08:11 AM	#18
Templar Lieutenant Colonel 268 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: One of the coasts... iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Yea, I've heard of people doing the same thing (dropping the reflector in there) while sober. When I read up on this I was extremely careful to not drop it in there (although I almost did). I was like, "NONONONONO!!" lol... I suggest just undoing the few bolts and reaching in there to get it out. It might be more trouble than it's worth fishing there forever trying to get it to stick to whatever you're fishing with. __________________ '11 BMW E92 ///M3 - ZCP and DCT '15 Ford F-250 - Lariat, 6.7 Powerstroke Turbo-diesel
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-27-2011, 01:54 AM	#19
bsiciliano Captain 51 Rep 698 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (4)	I did it too. I crafted a fish hook out of a hanger and ever so slowly lifted it up from the metal prongs. Pain in the ass. The duct tape stab wad a FAIL for me. __________________ 2011 E93 - Space Gray - 6MT/Silver Novillo/ OE Tuning/Gruppe M Intake/ACS Springs/Vorsteiner CF Type I Rear Diffuser/Textured Matte Black Custom Powdercoated OEM 359s/Painted Reflectors/Matte Grille, Hood Vents and Side Markers/Arqray Race Exhaust/MS Pulley
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-31-2011, 05:36 AM	#20
lve2xlr8 Major 195 Rep 1,186 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (11)	Wait till you do the fender grills if you do... Those little circle things SUCK, tape on a stick worked for me haha __________________ R8 V10 6MT S65 M3 Tesla 3
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2014, 12:53 PM	#21
Rbembas_M3 Lieutenant 39 Rep 494 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 M3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: BUFORD GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	It's easy a flashlight and a wire with a hook bent on the end. fished it right out in minutes.... __________________ 2011 M3 Coupe,Jerez Black,DCT,EDC,DSC 2010 X5 30i Black
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2014, 04:40 PM	#22
matt328xi Private First Class 8 Rep 149 Posts Drives: E93 S65 E90 N52 F10 N63 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: chilliwack iTrader: (2)	you should heat up at least 5mins to break the adhesive
	Appreciate 0 Quote