Should you clear bra headlights?
#1
Should you clear bra headlights?
Some say it’s fine and others say don’t do do it on the headlights because it traps heat and can cracks it. Anyone have experience on their AMs? Do brands really matter?
Last edited by lovingit; 11-19-2018 at 02:07 PM.
#4
Nowadays, they're all pretty good. I think mine have Suntek (headlights included) and it's over three years old without any issues at all. I absolutely love the amount of protection it provides and will have it on every car I own from now on.
Last edited by Mathman85; 11-19-2018 at 02:52 PM.
#6
Every shop sells different brands. Most around here have Suntek or 3M. Xpel is harder to find. One shop has Llumar. One shop says 3m is thicker than Xpel and Suntek and it’s better to have thicker for protection. All have 10 year warranty. So is performance all the same?
Last edited by lovingit; 11-19-2018 at 04:36 PM.
#7
Mine are Xpel. I had the car paint corrected, then ceramic coated. Sealed in with clearbra on top. Entire front end minus grill is covered, front quarter panels and headlights - highly recommend it. When you see the amount of chips in the clearbra it makes you never want to drive a car without it again
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#9
Mine are Xpel. I had the car paint corrected, then ceramic coated. Sealed in with clearbra on top. Entire front end minus grill is covered, front quarter panels and headlights - highly recommend it. When you see the amount of chips in the clearbra it makes you never want to drive a car without it again
#10
Mine are Xpel. I had the car paint corrected, then ceramic coated. Sealed in with clearbra on top. Entire front end minus grill is covered, front quarter panels and headlights - highly recommend it. When you see the amount of chips in the clearbra it makes you never want to drive a car without it again
Every shop sells different brands. Most around here have Suntek or 3M. Xpel is harder to find. One shop has Llumar. One shop says 3m is thicker than Xpel and Suntek and it’s better to have thicker for protection. All have 10 year warranty. So is performance all the same?
All of them are about 6mm thick. 3M Pro makes their own film, adhesives, etc....They held the patent on it. Xpel, Suntek and others get their films made for them. All will last close to 10 years, but its recommended to remove and replace in the 5-7 year time frame. The longer the film is on the paint, the harder it is to remove. At some point, the film will come off in small pieces and at around $175 to remove and a signed disclaimer holding me responsible for paint peeling off, it can take 10+ hours to just remove. Not including the paint correction that typically need to follow it.
Couple schools of thought here:
I use a very professional person to do all my clients PPF work. I cannot even compare to his quality, so I dont compete. But I am certified to do it by 3M and one of the forum sponsors.
1. The PPF glue will and does fill in imperfections in the paint, so my guy says not to do a paint correction.
2. The new PPF's have thier own hydrophobic coatings on them, so no need to TOP it with a sealant or coating
My philosophy on the subject
1. Although the glues do fill in imperfections, I want them gone, but also I want the gloss levels maximized. The PPF will take away some gloss, just because you are applying a layer on top of the paint. So I want that gloss to be the best it can be.
2. PPF is really expensive. Its also really hard to apply correctly without stretching it too much, bubbles left in it, scratching it beyond its self healing ability with the squeege. etc...SO I say you should protect it. Why not put a sacrificial layer on top of it, so that the PPF last longer in its original condition. Coatings are the best form of protection on top of the PPF. Also the coating on top will enhance the gloss again, so none in the end is lost.
#11
Mine was done in 2010 with a very thick 5? piece kit, that's starting to get a little lift and dirt under some spots and edges. I'd have it replaced but I'm afraid there are alot of rock chips under it and it'll need paint before getting replaced. So for now I'm just going to leave it. I don't think there is anything on my lights though, except more rock marks.
#12
We use XPEL on all of our cars and we do probably close to a thousand cars a year. PPF is perfectly safe on the AM's headlights...actually the only car that I know of that it is not safe on is the new Porsche headlights as they come with a factory lamination. Hope this helps.
#13
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