Clear Headlight Covers

NAndrews33

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Anyone buy the clear headlight protection film? Wondering how it holds up to rocks and anything else that gets thrown in the way of the lights. If so, which brand did you buy from.
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RedlandRanger

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Anyone buy the clear headlight protection film? Wondering how it holds up to rocks and anything else that gets thrown in the way of the lights. If so, which brand did you buy from.
I got this kit:

https://carprotectionpros.com/2019-...m-clear-bra-front-bumper-paint-protection-kit

And added the LED light addition. Don't know if you can get them separate or not. They came out pretty good when I did it myself. One light is just about perfect I think, the other isn't quite as good, but it looks almost perfect. The headlights turned out better than the other pieces. I'd still recommend a professional installation if you get it.
 

PNW_Ranger87

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NAndrews33

NAndrews33

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I got this kit:

https://carprotectionpros.com/2019-...m-clear-bra-front-bumper-paint-protection-kit

And added the LED light addition. Don't know if you can get them separate or not. They came out pretty good when I did it myself. One light is just about perfect I think, the other isn't quite as good, but it looks almost perfect. The headlights turned out better than the other pieces. I'd still recommend a professional installation if you get it.
Did you install yourself or have a shop do it? I like the extra protection from the kit to cover the bumper. Only problem I'll have is the patience to get the film to line up properly.
 
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NAndrews33

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RedlandRanger

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Did you install yourself or have a shop do it? I like the extra protection from the kit to cover the bumper. Only problem I'll have is the patience to get the film to line up properly.
I installed it myself, however I would suggest you get a pro to do it. Mine came out OK, but there are a few imperfections, including a few edges that lifted slightly and are now dark due to dirt getting under them. It was quite a challenge to put them on - I think I spent 3 or 4 hours doing all the pieces.
 

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I heard good things about the lamin-x kit. I've never really tried it and was concerned about the film yellowing over time.
Well one of the kits I had was yellow over the fog lights so I never noticed with that one obviously. The other one was clear over the headlights and I didn't notice it on that one. I also live in the PNW so direct sunlight isn't a year round issue.
 

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I heard good things about the lamin-x kit. I've never really tried it and was concerned about the film yellowing over time.
I’ve used Expel and LaminX over the years on numerous vehicles...never issues with yellowing.

For the a Ranger they need “v”s cut in a few spots to fit around the edges. A better design would have been just pieces to cover the flat surfaces of the headlights without having to wrap around the top edges.
 

RedlandRanger

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I’ve used Expel and LaminX over the years on numerous vehicles...never issues with yellowing.

For the a Ranger they need “v”s cut in a few spots to fit around the edges. A better design would have been just pieces to cover the flat surfaces of the headlights without having to wrap around the top edges.
The headlight pieces I got had relief cuts in them and were VERY accurate. One I was able to apply almost perfectly - the other was good, but not quite perfect. The headlights were the easy pieces - well other than the fog lights - those were easy too. All the pieces I got were very accurately cut, it was just the application of them that was difficult on the compound curves.
 

Sandman Ranger

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I use Laminex on my GTI.
Work well and tough.
Take patience and practice on install. Use unscented baby shampoo water mix. Two speed heat gun. Normally start at inside edge of light. Align and work toward back. Get aligned before you stay to work from middle to edges. Use a felt covered plastic applicator. Order seperate if laminex does not sell.

Only issue and not sure if film caused this. On the GTI I and others with film developed small cracks at bottom edge of light. Might be from expansion as film is strong. Hard to see, but I have them. Never grew anymore. I change the film every two years. GTI a low car so maybe more impacts. I noticed scuffs likely from bugs. But when film removed headlights looked like new.

D57D27B6-6351-4801-9A8F-03FACEA4976A.jpeg


F15E185C-E34F-4748-A938-265E98089F3C.jpeg


459EF817-383C-448E-BFAB-AF8E632C4F5D.jpeg


AC77E9CE-0FC3-42A6-B3F9-6707768C6AC9.jpeg
 

Scottopia

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I use Laminex on my GTI.
Work well and tough.
Take patience and practice on install. Use unscented baby shampoo water mix. Two speed heat gun. Normally start at inside edge of light. Align and work toward back. Get aligned before you stay to work from middle to edges. Use a felt covered plastic applicator. Order seperate if laminex does not sell.

Only issue and not sure if film caused this. On the GTI I and others with film developed small cracks at bottom edge of light. Might be from expansion as film is strong. Hard to see, but I have them. Never grew anymore. I change the film every two years. GTI a low car so maybe more impacts. I noticed scuffs likely from bugs. But when film removed headlights looked like new.
How much do the tinted versions reduce the headlight output?
 

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How much do the tinted versions reduce the headlight output?
The pics during daytime look dark but is likely lighter than 35% film. I have the Lighting Package on my GTI and I did not noticed and reduction. When next to my garage I can see light streak pattern from the film on wall. On the road no issue.
If you should notice a reduction one could upgrade bulb to LED if one has an XLT like mine. Film tint likely not for everyone but I like. Have not added to Ranger. Might try coating first.
 

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For those on the fence, Lamin-X just sent this promo out:

7EFA9C09-4164-48A7-BE90-91C1B17EAD89.jpeg


I just pulled the trigger on the tint headlight version.
 

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I was looking into several films - some say they offer UV protection and some seem to be thicker than others and are 'self healing' - was on a Focus forum where a post was tham Lamin-x ruined headlights and there was the usual internet forum tussle over particulars.

Some concern with handling heat, but I wonder if those people were modding the lights.

A Lamin-x rep showed up in the thread and helped deal with some of the debate over film shrinking after installation and stressing the lights, I presume modern ones are laminate materials these days. I've ordered clear headlight/driving light covers for mine and figure I'll be treating the installed film to keep it UV resistant. I think running the driving lights during non-inclement weather with yellow output 'might' be a no-no in some states and since I'm up and down the East Coast and in some Podunk towns occasionally I don't want to get hassled.

I ordered a kit for the rear hatchback threshold for my wife's Honda so with two kits I got free shipping. Using THANKYOU20 got me 20% off the total.
 

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I have had the Lamin-X tinted on the headlights and side markers, clear on my fogs for over a year and all seem to be ok. Bit of a bitch to install neatly on the headlights, but still look good, no visible shrinkage.
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