Cloudy af e60 headlights & wing mirror cover stolen - queries

[kylie-anne 16]

Ok so both my headlights have become super cloudy (I know there are many threads re this) and my diy attempts at cleaning them have had no effect as it all appears to be on the inside (yayyy.. funnnn).  Is it worth buying replacement headlight covers online/are they a mission to install or are they salvageable with some professional help, as mentioned in previous threads (feel free to re-link me to these places as the threads I'd read were 2016).

Also, on a sidenote, some a**hole has been using my car as a "pick-a-part" whilst I'm parked at the Papakura train station and at work (I know, I know.. I shouldn't be surprised) and have had my bonnet emblem taken and weirdly my left wing mirror cover (and possibly something to do with my aerial because my radio has  gone to sh*t..).  I've just brought a new bonnet emblem off TradeMe but, with the wing mirror cover, is it safe to just buy replacement like these below off AliExpress (or similar) and assume they're easy enough to install? Or should not be lazy and take my a** to pick-a-part etc?  

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Matte-Black-Side-Rearview-Door-Mirror-Cover-Shells-Trim-Frame-Exterior-Decoration-Fit-for-BMW-E60/32815024720.html?spm=2114.search0302.3.212.6dea4189ejwUYu&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_0_10152_10151_10618_10059_10696_10084_100031_10083_10547_10624_10546_10623_10307_10548_10341_10065_10340_10068_10343_10342_10103_10620_10344_10622_10621,searchweb201603_0,ppcSwitch_0&algo_pvid=65268c97-dfc8-4007-b212-0c6c20b5911d&algo_expid=65268c97-dfc8-4007-b212-0c6c20b5911d-28

If any more parts off of my car go missing, I'm going to leave a note asking them to just take the whole d*amn thing - at least I'd get insurance for that!!

Thanks!

Edited August 23, 2018 by kylie-anne

[BM WORLD 1283]

these covers can fall off , brittle old plastic clips etc , and many people knock them when backing up which weakens them etc .

same with the badges , the emblems come with when the glue goes off etc  they just blow off in the wind

[aja540i 1906]

If they are really cloudy it will take some pretty serious work to get them back, but not impossible, i did my e39 ones and they took about an hour each with a sanding / polishing disc in a power drill. The most important thing is to seal them against UV damage once they are polished, otherwise they will start to deteriorate again as soon as they are exposed to sunlight. Replacing the covers can be a real pain, plenty of opportunity to do more damage than good with old brittle plastics.

[gjm 3258]

Some years ago I sorted the cloudy plastic headlights on a Mazda Tribute using toothpaste. Worked a treat. (Smells fresh, too. ) 

[BM WORLD 1283]

oh and for your headlights

https://www.findus.co.nz/autoplasticrepairs

[GorGasm 563]

OCD had a guy polish mine out.  They came back almost 100% like new.  Around $150 though.  I'm sure theres specialists out there that do just headlights.

[kylie-anne 16]

21 hours ago, BM WORLD said:

these covers can fall off , brittle old plastic clips etc , and many people knock them when backing up which weakens them etc .

same with the badges , the emblems come with when the glue goes off etc  they just blow off in the wind

Hahaha yeah. suppose it could have just been a gusty day down at the Papakura train station.  Thanks for the link to the plastic repairer! Handy that's local for me.

I do admit that I tried cleaning them myself (the toothpaste trick and Meths) and seemed to lack the strength and endurance when it come to the scrubbing hahaha  - but thanks everyone for their input, knew there would be a fair few who have had to deal with this too.

[M3AN 4016]

Naa, Brent (@BM WORLD) is skipping down to the park and ride in Papa' and nicking bits for his shop!

Nothing really just "falls off". 

 

Edited August 24, 2018 by M3AN