Xpel on headlights?
 

My PPF installer did not recommend putting the Xpel PPF on the headlights. Her said that it has been hit or miss when they do this if there is UV layer delamination. He said Porsche and Xpel both state not to do it. His installer is truly excellent and said that he put some film on a 2018 Turbo headlight and that it very quickly resulted in that delamination that seems to be an issue. This happened before the wrinkles were even addressed. The customer decided to leave them protected and just live with the issue.

Can someone that installs Xpel clarify if this happens regularly? Is this an install issue? A spray solution issue? If it did happen, what is the best solution if you want to have the headlights protected? What is the best way to minimize this delamination?

I would like to have PPF over the headlights but want to minimize the risk of this happening. Thanks in advance.

Normally installers and others don’t recommend it. The delamination issue normally
occurs when you go to peel it off of the headlamps. But, a good installer can safely remove them as well. I would personally PPF them. I have mine done. I would rather have my lights protected, than get pitted and scratched.

What brand film was used? Maybe it’s more of an Xpel issue?

I also do not want them pitted.

I just had SunTek PPFC installed yesterday at an extremely reputable installer in LI - he mentioned that there could be delamination issues with the headlights also and suggested to not do it

This subject is beyond beaten to death. See the links below and move on.

https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1030...-to-avoid.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/panamera...eadlights.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1055...ce-fast-2.html

DaveGee

Hopefully Esoteric and Moe can chime in with their experience. Its confusing that this doesn’t happen all the time so I’m guessing film brand, technique and/or spray lubricant/activator play a role.

Are you serious?

DaveGee

I had a full PPF put on over 14 months ago, including the headlights and have had zero problems.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e595e0221.jpeg

Just had mine done.... no headlights

I had Xpel installed. If you really want it done, get it done. You won’t have issues. You will see that about half the people do it and the others don’t.

I had Xpel installed over two years ago without any issues. No one likes pits on their headlight, so the question comes down to whether you risk delaminating the UV film on your lenses, or PPF them to mitigate inedible pits. Just locate a reputable installer and be done with it.

The way that i understood it was that upon REMOVAL of the headlight PPF, that this delamination can occur. But the group doing the PPF install said it happened during the film install on a 2018 turbo headlight. Reading through the previous posts on this issue, it seems that this UV delamination can be sanded and the headlight brought back to a clear state and the PPF installed again. Sounds like a fairly cheap solution.

Dave, maybe you didn’t read the post fully or understand what I was asking. It was about delamination DURING the install process. I can see many 911 owners never removing the headlight PPF, so if it doesn’t happen DURING time of install, and you won’t remove it, then you very well might never have a problem.

I had mine done with suntek, I must have hit a rock or something yesterday because I not only had a mark, but part of the ppf was ripped- it must have been a large rock- I would do it again, these headlights are pretty vulnerable.

I feel your pain...people search the Internet all the time but not here.

But since I am posting I might as well chime in. After reading the threads you realize there is a risk so it is up to you if you want it done; however, if the installer you feel most comfortable with does not recommend it and have them do it and something happens don't blame them.

i put them on my headlights, fogs, front clip, etc. the only time you run into risk is if you ever have to remove the film. the clear coat on the headlight can come off. theres videos on youtube of an installer using a heat/steam gun on them and removing the successfully without damaging the headlights.