Polishing fog/driving lights on 355 | FerrariChat

Polishing fog/driving lights on 355

Discussion in '348/355' started by viper11511, Jan 10, 2015.

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  1. viper11511

    viper11511 Karting

    May 27, 2014
    135
    Midwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I did my best to search for the answer, but does anyone have some advice/instruction/link on polishing the inside of the fog lights? Mine seem pretty cloudy. Thanks for any input!
     
  2. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,763
    Lake Villa IL
    No expert on this but if its a plastic lens, any plastic polish or headlight resto kit would work. How much are new lenses?
     
  3. joshtownsend

    joshtownsend Formula Junior

    Jul 12, 2007
    421
    H-town...TEXAS
    Its pretty easy with the right tools and experience.. maybe i should get into the business of this...hmmm
     
  4. viper11511

    viper11511 Karting

    May 27, 2014
    135
    Midwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Would you be so kind as to lend your expertise?
     
  5. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 13, 2004
    7,345
    Kzoo Michigan
    #5 phrogs, Jan 11, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2015
    The Fog lights should be Glass, Mine are glass with Chips in the glass.

    Not much you can do with that. I haven't tried to polish glass before.

    But I did plastic polish all of my Turn signals (orange ones) and the other plastic lenses tail lights and what not.

    If your fog lights are foggy they are probably dirty? I'm guessing.
     
  6. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2009
    8,254
    Worcester, England
    Full Name:
    Phill J
    What was the point of posting this without telling the guy how to do it?

    Ah! - now I get it!

    It's a : "Why should I tell you how to do it for free when I can make money by offering to do something that you could easily do for yourself!" scenario! - Nice! :rolleyes:
     
  7. dahveedem

    dahveedem Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2012
    1,603
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    David
    On my 348 I pulled the bulbs out and used a saxophone pipe cleaner with windex on the cloth to get inside at the glass. Did a pretty good if I say so myself.

    Does take some patience though.
     
  8. joshtownsend

    joshtownsend Formula Junior

    Jul 12, 2007
    421
    H-town...TEXAS
    #8 joshtownsend, Jan 11, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2015
    ok.. buy a buffer, buy whatever wax you want and put it on the buffer until it comes out clear.. very easy.. now you try..

    In addition, i have detailed step by step how to do an engine out, yet i don't see everyone doing that as well, and i consider it very easy ... again, painting a car is super easy, if you have the experience... but of coarse you missed that part because your were to eager to be quick clicker because you thought it would be cool.

    Fact is, you will burn up a lens if you haven't done it before unless you have some common sense.. which you just proved, not everyone has.
     
  9. joshtownsend

    joshtownsend Formula Junior

    Jul 12, 2007
    421
    H-town...TEXAS
    plenty of write ups on youtube... but it takes experience.. and i cant tell you about that over the internet..
     
  10. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    #10 Oengus, Jan 11, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  11. viper11511

    viper11511 Karting

    May 27, 2014
    135
    Midwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Those look great! Nicely done! Looks like some Wizards Power Clean back there. That stuff works great! I appreciate all the positive feedback and tips! Thank you everyone!
     
  12. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    2,013
    PA
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Fact is, 355 fog lights are glass. A buffer with wax will not burn them. Why the attitude?
     
  13. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Is F1 Moving back? just saying...... ;-)
     
  14. joshtownsend

    joshtownsend Formula Junior

    Jul 12, 2007
    421
    H-town...TEXAS
    You going tell me you cant polish glass?
     
  15. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    2,013
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    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Nope. I'm saying wax on a buffer will not "burn" glass.
     
  16. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 23, 2007
    3,617
    VA
    Full Name:
    Brendan
    #16 junglistluder, Jan 15, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The best way to restore a glass lens is to sand as much as possible, using progressively finer paper then do the final polish with cerium oxide. I have restored glass bmw headlights using this method. It takes much more sanding than plastic lenses since glass is very hard, and you have to only sand in short burts to prevent the glass from overheating. Once the imperfections are removed as much as possible by sanding (dont make the glass too thin) then you can buy some glass polish (cerium oxide) and a Griot's glass polish pad and go to town. Be sure to keep the surface wet so the polish doesn't dry up. Results are amazing. Also be sure to apply Lamin-X film once you are done, that will make them look even better and prevent future chips and pitting. Lamin-X sells a precut kit for the 355 for the fogs and turn signals.

    Here is a fantastic write up using M5 fog lights which are very similar to 355 fogs:
    DIY: Fog Light Sanding/Refinishing with Pics - BMW M5 Forum and M6 Forums

    And these are the glass headlights that I restored myself:
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