S1 headlight covers
Discussion
I've just got a pair of these and am thinking about the best way to fit them. They came with strips of mastic stuff which permanently fit them on, but many of the cars I have seen with covers have dirt and water marks behind them. Alternative seems to be to drill and fit with some sort of screw arrangement so they can be removed for cleaning. Are there any downsides with that method ? Thanks
The mastik is practically the same as some homebase/B&Q homelux bath sealant; cost about £2.50 a roll.
I took mine off (I've got a S1 111s) with a hairdryer and a credit card; cleaned up the water, dirt, flies that had collected underneath and the re-sealed them back down using the B&Q homelux stuff; making sure that I did a tidy job.
The homelux sealant remains tacky for ages so you can take it on and off should you need to.
Just do a good job of it and it should seal them properly and you won't need to take them off again.
I took mine off (I've got a S1 111s) with a hairdryer and a credit card; cleaned up the water, dirt, flies that had collected underneath and the re-sealed them back down using the B&Q homelux stuff; making sure that I did a tidy job.
The homelux sealant remains tacky for ages so you can take it on and off should you need to.
Just do a good job of it and it should seal them properly and you won't need to take them off again.
FYI there's a related thread running on SELOC
http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=224786&...
I used sikaflex 291 (Marine sealant) but masked behind a colour coded band of paint, painted on the inside edge of the cover.
http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=224786&...
I used sikaflex 291 (Marine sealant) but masked behind a colour coded band of paint, painted on the inside edge of the cover.
Thanks Grinnders. I'm afraid that thread is me too - I am the headlight cover anorak !! Like you I am keen to get it right first time.
Reason for starting thread here was to see if any other opinions not covered by SELOCers. Problem I am told is that even if you seal covers really well, dirt and moisture still finds its way in from the back around the headlight? Someone on SELOC suggested sealing around headlight rims too? All sounds a lot of trouble if any maintenance ever required. That is why I am interested in whether anyone has experience of a screw fitting method where they are intended to come on and off easily for cleaning.
Reason for starting thread here was to see if any other opinions not covered by SELOCers. Problem I am told is that even if you seal covers really well, dirt and moisture still finds its way in from the back around the headlight? Someone on SELOC suggested sealing around headlight rims too? All sounds a lot of trouble if any maintenance ever required. That is why I am interested in whether anyone has experience of a screw fitting method where they are intended to come on and off easily for cleaning.
I have used this stuff: http://www.eliseparts.com/products.php?product=327
It is actually really good - not a drip of water has got in since I re-fitted my lense covers with it a few months ago.
There is enough for both lenses in the pack, and it is non-messy which was nice!
Is sticky as F*** so make sure you're well lined up before making contact.
It is actually really good - not a drip of water has got in since I re-fitted my lense covers with it a few months ago.
There is enough for both lenses in the pack, and it is non-messy which was nice!
Is sticky as F*** so make sure you're well lined up before making contact.
MiniDivas lamps do look good...
.... and her headlight covers aren't bad either
The only reservation I would make is that Mini has a 111s designed for headlamp covers and you have (I had) std S1s. To get the flush fit every milimetre counts, and the uniformed thickness of this very sticky sticky stuff may mean your cover on a std S1 projects above the front wing.
It may be a case of suck it (but not stuck it) and see.
that's a very definite jokers
.... and her headlight covers aren't bad either
The only reservation I would make is that Mini has a 111s designed for headlamp covers and you have (I had) std S1s. To get the flush fit every milimetre counts, and the uniformed thickness of this very sticky sticky stuff may mean your cover on a std S1 projects above the front wing.
It may be a case of suck it (but not stuck it) and see.
that's a very definite jokers
I have screwed mine on. I basically offered them up, taped them to the clam and then drilled a small pilot hole through the lense and the clam. I then drilled a larger hole into the clam (headlight surround) glued in a rivnut (not using the rivnut tool, but as they come). I then drilled the lense to accomodate a small stainless button head allen bolt.
They look good and are easily removed for cleaning.
They look good and are easily removed for cleaning.
Mark B said:
I have screwed mine on. I basically offered them up, taped them to the clam and then drilled a small pilot hole through the lense and the clam. I then drilled a larger hole into the clam (headlight surround) glued in a rivnut (not using the rivnut tool, but as they come). I then drilled the lense to accomodate a small stainless button head allen bolt.
They look good and are easily removed for cleaning.
Would be interested to see a pic. Mine are stuck on but I prefer the idea of a bolt, maybe black anodised ali ones.They look good and are easily removed for cleaning.
Excuse the state of the car, it's currently off road having a Duratec fitted and doesn't get washed often 
Hopefully gives you an idea:
In an ideal world, I would have the black tape round them, bit I haven't figured a good enough way to do it yet...
They get dirty quicker than when glued on, but come off every other wash to be cleaned.
Hopefully gives you an idea:
In an ideal world, I would have the black tape round them, bit I haven't figured a good enough way to do it yet...
They get dirty quicker than when glued on, but come off every other wash to be cleaned.
GR4 said:
And I'm told that because the 111s was designed to have headlight covers, the headlights have a rubber seal where they meet the clam to stop dirt and moisture coming through that way (and the standard cars don't have this)?
I don't have a separate seal on my 111S. I've redone the seals twice 7 years, so it's not a big deal IMHO. Just do it right the first time!This is the comment on SELOC that I was referring to :
"I fitted the headlight seals from a 111s to my std S1 to stop crap getting behind the covers. They are large O-rings that go around the headlight. They are a nightmare to fit"
I do like the screw down solution, and with the black or grey trim around the edge of the covers, the screw heads would be even less visible
"I fitted the headlight seals from a 111s to my std S1 to stop crap getting behind the covers. They are large O-rings that go around the headlight. They are a nightmare to fit"
I do like the screw down solution, and with the black or grey trim around the edge of the covers, the screw heads would be even less visible
I had mine held down on my first S1 with a couple of small allen headed bolts and rivit-nuts in the clam. I have the grey tape around the edge of the covers and the little bolts were very unobtrusive and easily removed. Much easier to use than the sticky tape method which never sealed completely on my 111S
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