Headlight protection film

[JCBERB]

Well I tried my skill at installing this film on my headlights this evening...wow was it difficult. I have had a bit of experience with this stuff in the past but the OB has thes curves and bulges in the headlights that made my evening miserable.

It was well worth it though, had this stuff on my Altima for five years, and at the end, they still looked as clear as the first day I installed them, great stuff. Bought somthing similiar that was cheaper for the wifes Forester, and it started to crack after a month. So you do get what you pay for.

[N8thesk8]

i used xpel on mine too. very tough install but looks good. .DO NOT attempt to do install without a heat gun. would be a disaster

ke,ep things nice n wet

i didnt use the side marker pieces.

[fun2drive]

I didn't see the need to do my headlights on mine but have it on my BMWs which have glass headlights. It helps as I have taken a truck tire recap in the front and it broke the fog light and smugged the headlight and broke the front lower cowling out.

One place I do use a small roll or Xpel is on the outter door edges. I run a 3/8" bead along anyplace where the door would make contact with another door or wall. If you do this in the sun at 70 degrees or more it is very easy to work around angles.
I hate door chips and would hate to open my door into someone or have a passenger do that and damage someone else's car.
This stuff is invisible (I have Twilight Blue and lighter color might show a little) when applied.
They do make a good product...

[jogosub]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

I didn't see the need to do my headlights on mine but have it on my BMWs which have glass headlights. It helps as I have taken a truck tire recap in the front and it broke the fog light and smugged the headlight and broke the front lower cowling out.

One place I do use a small roll or Xpel is on the outter door edges. I run a 3/8" bead along anyplace where the door would make contact with another door or wall. If you do this in the sun at 70 degrees or more it is very easy to work around angles.
I hate door chips and would hate to open my door into someone or have a passenger do that and damage someone else's car.
This stuff is invisible (I have Twilight Blue and lighter color might show a little) when applied.
They do make a good product...

My 2013 had this plastic stuff on door endges OEM installed - yours did not? I installed the hood clear film protector last weekend; it came with the headlights pre-cut film as well but I've decided not to install it due to same reasons, as some of the earlier posters mentioned!

[Peaty]

I've installed it on my 2010 Legacy. I've done a few before and this was by far the most difficult and PITA to do. Fog lamps were a breeze of course.

[Needsnow]

I did my Mazda p5 about 12 years ago. When we sold the car, the xpel was still in perfect condition and both of my headlamps were like new. So, the first thing I did on our new car was order the xpel.......wow, it should be rated as an expert project!

Having done it before, I at least knew to be patient. I accomplished a clean install with only a hair dryer, but it was really, really, really difficult. Next time, I will buy a heat gun.

[jogosub]

Originally Posted by Needsnow

I did my Mazda p5 about 12 years ago. When we sold the car, the xpel was still in perfect condition and both of my headlamps were like new. So, the first thing I did on our new car was order the xpel.......wow, it should be rated as an expert project!

Having done it before, I at least knew to be patient. I accomplished a clean install with only a hair dryer, but it was really, really, really difficult. Next time, I will buy a heat gun.

or, if not a heat lamp, one of those hair dryers as seen on Spaceballs movie that princess Vespa was carrying in the desert...LOL

[fun2drive]

My Outback didn't come with any door guard protection and I have never seen any on the dealer lots that did. Must be something special your dealer did.

[Manik1770]

I just got a Harbor Freight ad in the mail. They have the $17 heat gun I purchased 3 months ago for $9! Not a bad deal and it worked just fine when applying my 3m headlight protection. I didn't buy the kit, just a sheet of film- and yes it was a hard task. I ended up just doing a sheet cut across the front face instead of wrapping it around to the side of the headlight but followed a line of the silver housing inside so it's barely noticeable.
I actually did the whole 3M bikini cut paint protection film (bottom fender, hood, rear view mirrors, front side panels) Also did the yellow laminx for my fogs. was a pretty difficult task in my opinion for the first time out, but it was worth a shot. In the future if I had to do again, I would just do smaller pieces like the headlights, side panels, mirrors and save the more intricate pieces to a professional.


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[OBnube]

^^^^Where did you find yellow Laminex? I can find clear everywhere but no yellow. thx