polish ellipsoid/high lenses?

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  • ptownTSI
    E30 Fanatic
    • Jun 2005
    • 1265

    #1

    polish ellipsoid/high lenses?

    Anyone ever polished there glass lenses on their US ellipsoid equipped cars or euro lamp swaps? there are ways to polish glass (can't use sand paper really since glass is the same hardness) outlined on sites mainly for windshield reconditioning. Just wondering how it turned out because i'm thinking of doing it with mine.
  • Rocla
    E30 Modder
    • Aug 2006
    • 922

    #2
    Originally posted by ptownTSI
    Anyone ever polished there glass lenses on their US ellipsoid equipped cars or euro lamp swaps? there are ways to polish glass (can't use sand paper really since glass is the same hardness) outlined on sites mainly for windshield reconditioning. Just wondering how it turned out because i'm thinking of doing it with mine.
    I polished my early euro lenses, with rubbing compound and machine that is used to polish paint. Problem is that method is really slow and doesn't remove deep rock chip marks. After that I applied some 2-component automotive clearcoat to lenses, it made them appear much better. The clearcoat how ever doesn't last long on lenses, it dulls and is cracked easily.
    Current:

    BMW 320i 2d 2.0 m20 -88
    BMW 325i Cabriolet 2.5 m50 -88
    BMW 316i touring 1.6 m40 -90
    BMW 320i 4d 2,2 m54 -01

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    • cholyoke
      Advanced Member
      • Feb 2006
      • 186

      #3
      Most sandpaper is made with quartz or garnet. Both are harder than glass. See Moh's hardness scale:



      Glass - 5.5
      Garnet - 6.5-7.5
      Quartz - 7

      Glass has no crystal structure, which is why glass made from melting quartz sand is weaker than quartz. You could also use alumina or silcon carbide grits, which are used to grind and polish rocks. SiC is harder than alumina and will polish alumina (hardness of 9) surfaces.

      I wouldn't sandpaper my lenses, though. It would worry me that you would be modifying the way the light is supposed to be bent by the lens.
      sigpic

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      • NC325iC
        R3V OG
        • Mar 2004
        • 6565

        #4
        the lenses in these cars dont do anything
        Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

        Originally posted by TimKninja
        Im more afraid of this thread turning into one of those classic R3v moments, where Pizza gets delivered.

        Comment

        • Vanilla Gorilla
          Grease Monkey
          • Dec 2006
          • 357

          #5
          I know my father has done is before on his 635. I will find out all the info and the process and post it up when I get a chance.
          sigpic

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          • FL318is
            E30 Fanatic
            • Sep 2006
            • 1396

            #6
            I just put OEM used euro elips in mine. They were in good shape but pitted. I painted them with clear coat and then covered them with Lamin-X. Turned out pretty good. They are actually so clear now that I can see the inside of the lenses needs to be wiped. I was an easy DIY with good results.

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