R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Refurbed Headlamps, now all spiffy

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Old Jul 16, 2022 | 07:56 PM
  #1  
AngryScotsman's Avatar
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Refurbed Headlamps, now all spiffy

Finally got tired of the hazy headlamps on the ol' girl.

Removing the headlamps is surprisingly really easy. Took longer finding the right torx bit.

Basically:
1. Polished the headlamps with some polishing compound with DA2. Wet sand with the DA with 1000grit, then 1500grit, to 2000grit, and finished with 3000grit
3. Buff again.
4. Key part: sprayed some acrylic clear coat over them suckers
5. Giggle at how it's now the cleanest part of the car -- mostly because my mini only gets washed when it rains.







 
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Old Jul 17, 2022 | 03:55 AM
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What clear coat did you use? A spray can of 3M?
 
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Old Jul 17, 2022 | 08:02 AM
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That's a good idea to take the headlight assemblies off the car for polishing!

I used masking tape all around but still ended up slinging some polishing compound onto my paint.

Your headlights look great!
 
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Old Jul 17, 2022 | 02:37 PM
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AngryScotsman
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Originally Posted by Rebound
What clear coat did you use? A spray can of 3M?
I went to a paint shop and grabbed some clear coat to shoot out of a sprayer. I'm in the process of learning how to paint stuff, so figured clearing the headlamps of the mini is a good test.

Originally Posted by ghostwrench
That's a good idea to take the headlight assemblies off the car for polishing
I've seen videos and posts of people masking up their cars... Figured I see how hard it was to remove the entire assembly.

Three 8mm bolts, two torx, and a push clip for the headlamp sprayers, and the headlamps were loose. Some rotating and light tugging and they were free from the hood.

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