IND Painted Reflector Installation Procedure

[Ryan@IND]

Painted reflectors are among the first additions made by any owner of a modern BMW. The unsightly orange reflectors installed in cars bound for North America instantly break the smooth lines of BMW bumpers.

IND provides painted reflectors as a cost effective solution relative to the purchase of a OEM European bumper. We start the process using the OE BMW reflectors for a factory fit, and the same paint process we would use to spray an entire car. Each reflector is sanded, prepped for paint, primed, then painted. We ensure that all lettering on the face of the reflector is completely removed providing the same finish as your factory bumper.


Many enthusiasts enjoy installing their own painted reflectors, so we’ve created this installation DIY to help.

Tools needed:

• 8mm socket and ratchet
• Adhesive remover or cleaning solvent
• Nylon prybar (optional)

Step 1:

First, turn the steering wheel to full lock, in any direction. This will expose the fender liner.

Step 2:

With the fender liner exposed, begin removing the 8mm screws near the front reflectors.

Step 3:

Once the fender liner screws are removed you will have access to the back of the bumper cover. Using your hands or a nylon prybar pull the edge of the reflector from the bumper cover. This may take some work to remove, but the leverage applied by a nylon prybar makes the job much easier.

Step 4:

After the reflector is removed from the bumper cover take a cloth and some adhesive remover or solvent and remove the excess adhesive.

Step 5:

Now that the surface is clean remove the adhesive cover on the painted reflector and push reflector in place. Make sure to apply even pressure around all edges.

Step 6:

With the reflector installed it is time to button her up. Place the fender liner back into position and secure it to the bumper with the 8mm screws.

[GOLFFRR]

Awesome! Thank you

[TheRealOrosie]

Very cool! First mod after my tint. Thanks!

[Sedan_Clan]

Does IND produce painted rear reflectors too?

[JDUni1]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Does IND produce painted rear reflectors too?

They sure do! Have a set sitting in a box in my garage waiting on my car

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by JDUni1

They sure do! Have a set sitting in a box in my garage waiting on my car

I need a quote for front/rear reflectors in YMB. P/M me @Andrew@IND

[parky1215]

Thanks so much for this diy guide.

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I need a quote for front/rear reflectors in YMB. P/M me @Andrew@IND

PM sent

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Does IND produce painted rear reflectors too?

Absolutely. They are listed on our site and we will have a DIY produced by Monday morning. Feel free to shoot me a private message with any further questions.

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/cate...ear-reflectors

Originally Posted by parky1215

Thanks so much for this diy guide.

Our pleasure!

[Dundas]

What's the best solvent to use in Step 4?

[Definitive]

Thanks IND! Fronts look pretty standard. Looking forward to your tips and tricks for the rears and side gills!!!

D

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by Dundas

What's the best solvent to use in Step 4?

We use 3M general purpose adhesive remover and it works like a charm. All auto parts stores and most craft stores will have some iteration of the 3M adhesive remover.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Andrew@IND

PM sent



Absolutely. They are listed on our site and we will have a DIY produced by Monday morning. Feel free to shoot me a private message with any further questions.

http://ind-distribution.com/ind/cate...ear-reflectors



Our pleasure!

Thanks @Andrew@IND ....any photos of painted rear reflectors installed (..preferably in YMB)?

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Thanks @Andrew@IND ....any photos of painted rear reflectors installed (..preferably in YMB)?

Photographer is editing the photos as we speak and yes they are Yas Marina

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Andrew@IND

Photographer is editing the photos as we speak and yes they are Yas Marina

I caught a glimpse on the IND IG page, so I can't wait to see the edited photos.

[Ryan@IND]

DIY Reflector Video

[filip75]

Awesome. I was wondering about the process.

[savaho]

Do you guys carry the clear reflectors?

[redfox]

Another tip for everyone here on removing the front reflectors. Use an old/expired credit card (or something similar) to break apart the double sided tap. Starting from the topside is the best.

[c3r2z8f30i]

Originally Posted by Andrew@IND

Painted reflectors are among the first additions made by any owner of a modern BMW. The unsightly orange reflectors installed in cars bound for North America instantly break the smooth lines of BMW bumpers.

IND provides painted reflectors as a cost effective solution relative to the purchase of a OEM European bumper. We start the process using the OE BMW reflectors for a factory fit, and the same paint process we would use to spray an entire car. Each reflector is sanded, prepped for paint, primed, then painted. We ensure that all lettering on the face of the reflector is completely removed providing the same finish as your factory bumper.


Many enthusiasts enjoy installing their own painted reflectors, so weve created this installation DIY to help.

Tools needed:

8mm socket and ratchet
Adhesive remover or cleaning solvent
Nylon prybar (optional)

Step 1:

First, turn the steering wheel to full lock, in any direction. This will expose the fender liner.

Step 2:

With the fender liner exposed, begin removing the 8mm screws near the front reflectors.

Step 3:

Once the fender liner screws are removed you will have access to the back of the bumper cover. Using your hands or a nylon prybar pull the edge of the reflector from the bumper cover. This may take some work to remove, but the leverage applied by a nylon prybar makes the job much easier.

Step 4:

After the reflector is removed from the bumper cover take a cloth and some adhesive remover or solvent and remove the excess adhesive.

Step 5:

Now that the surface is clean remove the adhesive cover on the painted reflector and push reflector in place. Make sure to apply even pressure around all edges.

Step 6:

With the reflector installed it is time to button her up. Pllace the fender liner back into position and secure it to the bumper with the 8mm screws.

It helps to us a hair dryer before removing it with a tool. Make sure it not too hot or you can fck up the paint.

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by c3r2z8f30i

It helps to us a hair dryer before removing it with a tool. Make sure it not too hot or you can fck up the paint.

Correct, that is a big help if the adhesive is being stubborn. Fortunately, with newer vehicles they are usually a little easier s the adhesive has not been sitting for too long. Thanks for the input. We will add this to the top.

[c3r2z8f30i]

Originally Posted by Andrew@IND

Correct, that is a big help if the adhesive is being stubborn. Fortunately, with newer vehicles they are usually a little easier s the adhesive has not been sitting for too long. Thanks for the input. We will add this to the top.

Sure

[DreF80///M3]

I installed my mineral white reflectors yesterday and the paint color is totally off. Is there anything I can do to make them match more closely? The car has been out in the sun, but not enough to dull in comparison to the reflector.