bodyshop can't remove reflectors?

[zubydafa]

my car is at the local BMW collision center because my pop backed into my right front fender with his 750. i know.

i figured while it was in there that i should get the front reflectors painted professionally. they just called saying that the reflectors are held in there by some sort of adhesive and that the plastic portion of the reflector would most likely crack before coming loose. they're calling me asking permission to do the work and in the event that the reflectors crack, which is apparently likely?, i'll be assuming replacement costs for new reflectors as well.

it's a pretty reputed shop...but they can't remove reflectors?...

[O-cha]

The front ones are taped in with double sided tape. A little goo gone or similar will loosen it and make them very easy to pull. I've done 3 sets and haven't cracked any. I forget if the rears are bolted in or clipped, one or the other.

FYI, unless they get super thin double sided adhesive, when they put them back in they will not be flush. I don't think they sell just the reflectors either if I remember correctly. If they do it would be better to just buy them anyway, save trying to find the right thickness of adhesive.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by zubydafa

my car is at the local BMW collision center because my pop backed into my right front fender with his 750. i know.

i figured while it was in there that i should get the front reflectors painted professionally. they just called saying that the reflectors are held in there by some sort of adhesive and that the plastic portion of the reflector would most likely crack before coming loose. they're calling me asking permission to do the work and in the event that the reflectors crack, which is apparently likely?, i'll be assuming replacement costs for new reflectors as well.

it's a pretty reputed shop...but they can't remove reflectors?...

Your shop is telling you the truth.
In '07 BMW made a change in these reflectors.
The plastic is much thinner.

They are held in with 3M adhesive tape.
I had an '06 roadster that were no problem to get out.
On my '07 they were much more difficult to remove without breaking them.
I was able to do it though.

If they break they are not very expensive to replace.

[zubydafa]

hmm. i really wanted to take the opportunity to do this while the bumper was off today.

[dubsesd]

True. The newer ones are thinner and might crack. My body shop painted them attached to the bumper when it was getting resprayed.

[Pheonix]

I had no problem removing the front reflectors even with the bumper still attached to the car. Just have to be a little bit patient. By the way, i use RTV adhesive to re-attach the reflector to ensure they are flushed.
By the way, you could have plan a little bit better and have them fill the reflectors' openings and have on smooth bumper.

[zubydafa]

oh well. car is repaired and safe in my garage.

thanks for the quick responses guys. no painted reflectors today, but probably in the near future. my priority is deciding on a fugging exhaust lol.

btw when i dropped the car off this morning i asked the cute girl at the front desk not to wash it. she reacted like it was the first time she's heard a customer say that haha.

[a_riddler]

I just did mine this weekend, hairline crack on one. easy repair with some super glue though.

If the bumper is off, goo gone will easily loosen it up to pop them out.

That said, I'd vote for filling them in, along with the headlight washers.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by a_riddler

I just did mine this weekend, hairline crack on one. easy repair with some super glue though.

If the bumper is off, goo gone will easily loosen it up to pop them out.

That said, I'd vote for filling them in, along with the headlight washers.

yea i'll probably try it on my own and then give them to the shop to paint. i was quoted at 1 hour of labor which is like $54. not bad imo.

side note: is it me or are there a LOT of seattle Mcoupe owners? i bought mine from barrier porsche...perhaps you've seen it around prior to my taking ownership?

[a_riddler]

Yes, it is a topic of much debate. We blame the lack of sunshine for drawing so many of the "dark side" followers to this location.....

Depending on the color, I prolly know the old owner.

[zubydafa]

this is her at barrier.



and prepped for the 3k drive.

[a_riddler]

That sure looks like Erhan's old car. Congrats again!

[zubydafa]

took them out myself. the fronts were tough and i did mess up one of the clips. no problem epoxy can't fix. the rears were so easy.

sent all 4 over to the shop to have sprayed. i'll be installing tomorrow!

[zubydafa]

reflector delete done.

[Caddyshk]

[a_riddler]

Congrats!