Headlight/Foglight Protection? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ChinaClipper · #1 08-19-2011, 05:24 PM

Been searching and haven't exactly found what I want so here goes....What is the best way to protect headlights from rocks and stuff? I am installing Euro's on both my cars and want to protect the lights, anyone have any recent experience with the various film-type light protections out there? Seems that the hardest part is getting enough adhesion of a film to the glass, but not so much that it cannot be easily replaced. Gotta be something space aged and functional out there! Thanks! Clip

JohnM. · #2 08-19-2011, 05:38 PM

Buy some clear-bra material from a window tinter. Will protect against pitting and chips, but it won't protect from larger rocks.

sixto · #3 08-21-2011, 02:08 PM

I've heard good things about Lamin-X.

Sixto
87 300D

Jim's500E · #4 08-23-2011, 08:24 AM

x2 on Lamin-x....I worked with Chris the owner years back to get W124 early euro-lites and R129/500E fog lites made into pattern kits.

Once they are on and the glue is cured however, there is no taking them off again easily. You shouldn't need to remove them once on. Mine have been on like 8 years and the lites and film still look like new. Great product !

www.lamin-x.com

RBYCC · #5 08-23-2011, 08:58 AM

Not sure what model Merc the OP has but as long as the lenses are glass then film creates no problem.

Film over a plastic lens cover is problematic as it can cause crazing and cracking over time in the plastic cover.

Jim's500E · #6 08-23-2011, 09:17 AM

I've never heard of this...is this from your experience?

I also have Lamin-x films on my Audis, which are plastic lens...no problem in the 5 years its been on. In fact the films (on my cars at least) seemed to have prevented any 'yellowing' and 'cloudying' that is common with modern plastic lens....hence all the lens restoration kits on the market now.

RBYCC · #7 08-23-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim's500E

I've never heard of this...is this from your experience?

I also have Lamin-x films on my Audis, which are plastic lens...no problem in the 5 years its been on. In fact the films (on my cars at least) seemed to have prevented any 'yellowing' and 'cloudying' that is common with modern plastic lens....hence all the lens restoration kits on the market now.

Yes not from my personal experience but problematic with other owners of C6 Vettes who covered their headlight lenses.

Could be the compound GM used in the cover?

Direct notice from Lamin-X

http://www.lamin-x.com/Chevy-Corvette-C6-05-Headlight-Covers-p/ch015.htm

Same problem with Nissan 350Z

http://www.lamin-x.com/Nissan-350Z-03-06-Headlight-Covers-p/n001.htm

Probably others too.....

Jim's500E · #8 08-23-2011, 10:20 AM

So it is....that's good info !!

RBYCC · #9 08-23-2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim's500E

So it is....that's good info !!

If I recall when the problem came up in 2006 on the C6 Vette it seemed to be an interaction with the adhesive on the film combined with heat of the headlights that caused the polycarbonate lens to craze and eventually crack.

It seems that there are problems with many makes but not flagged as probably not as universal as the Vette and 350Z's