Removing Stick Mess from Headlights

philtrick123 · 06-01-2013, 12:36 PM

Hi all,

I had to attach a couple of headlight deflectors when I went to France earlier this year. I removed the deflectors a while ago, but have been left with some very sticky glue on the headlights. Any idea how to get rid of the mess without damaging the light unit. I've tried scraping it off but it's not working very well.

X3Bimmer · 06-01-2013, 03:58 PM

Goo Gone or similar orange oil type product...

woodchuck1 · 06-01-2013, 07:20 PM

WD40 works great on most adhesive residues, and I doubt it would damage the lens.

roadkillrob · 06-01-2013, 09:06 PM

Goo gone!

gdstan55 · 06-01-2013, 10:16 PM

Or lighter fuel such as Zippo or Ronsonol. They dissolve the glue without marring the headlamps.

philtrick123 · 06-02-2013, 03:15 PM

Goo Gone ordered from Amazon yesterday.

buze · 06-02-2013, 03:26 PM

Another vote for lighter fuel (aka naphta) I use it extensively, and it removes any glue in no time at all. Probably 1 quid for a bottle at the store down your street ;-)

lbjgh · 06-02-2013, 05:04 PM

Goo gone is safe and reliable IMHO.

cohwang · 06-02-2013, 06:02 PM

Use a heatgun to warm up the area and spray WD40 on the surface. Let it sit for 30 seconds and use a cloth to wipe it off.

The X Men · 06-02-2013, 06:13 PM

Putting a heat gun on the headlight lens is not a good idea.

osxcode · 06-02-2013, 07:28 PM

I would use a blow dryer, and hold it about 6 inches away on medium heat until the glue is warm enough to easy remove. you don't want to fog the lens or create micro abrasions. Any car detalier would know how to remove it safely also. Maybe it's time for a wax

Chris55 · 06-03-2013, 12:58 AM

Try peanut butter. That's how I remove all stubborn sticky labels. Rub it with a rag and remove the grease with some window cleaner. No scratches.

Teemo Panda · 06-03-2013, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X3Bimmer

Goo Gone or similar orange oil type product...

+1

plymjack · 06-03-2013, 06:28 AM

I used a power wash to remove it - and all the road salt...

MetaX · 06-03-2013, 02:25 PM

My first line of action is to take some wide tape (packaging tape works well for me) and then just stick on and off the area where the adhesive residue is. Usually can get all of it off after repeatedly popping it on/off with perhaps one or two changes in tape in between.

philtrick123 · 06-05-2013, 09:06 AM

Sorted. Used Goo Gone. I'm sure the other products mentioned would have worked.

Yosh · 06-05-2013, 06:20 PM

It depends on the kind of adhesive, but a fairly safe solvent to try first is mineral spirits.

Yeltzer · 06-06-2013, 09:57 AM

Small amounts of white spirit always done the job for me in the past when sticky stuff left behind

06-01-2013, 12:36 PM	#1
philtrick123 Lieutenant 44 Rep 469 Posts Drives: TBA Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maidenhead iTrader: (0)	Removing Stick Mess from Headlights Hi all, I had to attach a couple of headlight deflectors when I went to France earlier this year. I removed the deflectors a while ago, but have been left with some very sticky glue on the headlights. Any idea how to get rid of the mess without damaging the light unit. I've tried scraping it off but it's not working very well. Attached Images Last edited by philtrick123; 06-01-2013 at 05:22 PM..
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06-01-2013, 03:58 PM	#2
X3Bimmer Private First Class 29 Rep 164 Posts Drives: '13 X3 35i - %E2%80%9821 X3 M4 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Goo Gone or similar orange oil type product...
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06-01-2013, 07:20 PM	#3
woodchuck1 Private First Class 16 Rep 181 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 X-drive 35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	WD40 works great on most adhesive residues, and I doubt it would damage the lens.
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06-01-2013, 09:06 PM	#4
roadkillrob Major General 857 Rep 5,446 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	Goo gone! __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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06-01-2013, 10:16 PM	#5
gdstan55 New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive35i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SG iTrader: (0)	Or lighter fuel such as Zippo or Ronsonol. They dissolve the glue without marring the headlamps.
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06-02-2013, 03:15 PM	#6
philtrick123 Lieutenant 44 Rep 469 Posts Drives: TBA Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maidenhead iTrader: (0)	Goo Gone ordered from Amazon yesterday.
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06-02-2013, 03:26 PM	#7
buze Owner 132 Rep 566 Posts Drives: G05 30d M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Berkshire, Powys iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 G05 30d ... [0.00] 1999 Z3 2.8L Roadster [0.00]	Another vote for lighter fuel (aka naphta) I use it extensively, and it removes any glue in no time at all. Probably 1 quid for a bottle at the store down your street ;-) __________________ Received 190911: X5 30d M-Sport:Artic Grey:Comfort Pack:Tech Pack:Visibility Pack: Driver Assist Pro Pack:Heat Pack:Glass Roof:Leather Dash
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06-02-2013, 05:04 PM	#8
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	Goo gone is safe and reliable IMHO. __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
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06-02-2013, 06:02 PM	#9
cohwang New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 28i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Use a heatgun to warm up the area and spray WD40 on the surface. Let it sit for 30 seconds and use a cloth to wipe it off.
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06-02-2013, 06:13 PM	#10
The X Men Colonel 99 Rep 2,323 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Putting a heat gun on the headlight lens is not a good idea.
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06-02-2013, 07:28 PM	#11
osxcode Lieutenant 89 Rep 480 Posts Drives: The M's Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palm Springs, CA iTrader: (0)	I would use a blow dryer, and hold it about 6 inches away on medium heat until the glue is warm enough to easy remove. you don't want to fog the lens or create micro abrasions. Any car detalier would know how to remove it safely also. Maybe it's time for a wax __________________ 2016 BMW X5 ///M 2016 BMW M4 ///M Convertible *aLatteHotte* - www.aLatteHotte.com - *The Future of Coffee*
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06-03-2013, 12:58 AM	#12
Chris55 Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 220 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (0)	Try peanut butter. That's how I remove all stubborn sticky labels. Rub it with a rag and remove the grease with some window cleaner. No scratches.
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06-03-2013, 06:28 AM	#14
plymjack Nuclear Chief of the Watch 120 Rep 637 Posts Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D, i3 BEV Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK iTrader: (0)	I used a power wash to remove it - and all the road salt... __________________ BMW i3 (BEV) 2014. . Capparis White. . Park Assist, Comfort Access, Enhanced USB BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE 2017. . . . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . Electric Seats Canon 70D 500mm, 85mm, 40mm, 24mm Sony QX10 & GoPro Hero 3
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06-03-2013, 02:25 PM	#15
MetaX Second Lieutenant 105 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 2022 X3MC Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	My first line of action is to take some wide tape (packaging tape works well for me) and then just stick on and off the area where the adhesive residue is. Usually can get all of it off after repeatedly popping it on/off with perhaps one or two changes in tape in between.
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06-05-2013, 09:06 AM	#16
philtrick123 Lieutenant 44 Rep 469 Posts Drives: TBA Join Date: May 2012 Location: Maidenhead iTrader: (0)	Sorted. Used Goo Gone. I'm sure the other products mentioned would have worked. Attached Images
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06-05-2013, 06:20 PM	#17
Yosh Registered 4 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325xi Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Minnesota iTrader: (0)	It depends on the kind of adhesive, but a fairly safe solvent to try first is mineral spirits.
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06-06-2013, 09:57 AM	#18
Yeltzer First Lieutenant 12 Rep 315 Posts Drives: F25 xDrive 20d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Mids & Worcs iTrader: (0)	Small amounts of white spirit always done the job for me in the past when sticky stuff left behind __________________ F25 xDrive 20d M Sport in Alpine White, Pro Nav, Auto 'Box, 19" Wheels, Visibility Pack, Heated Seats, Reverse Cam w/ Top View, Sun Protection Glass, DAB radio
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