Xpel Headlight delamination issue
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 9
From: Cleveland
The other 'right' move IMO is using Xpel and worrying about (possible) delamination in 10 years, in the meantime enjoying protected headlights.
Either one is a good move, so yes, you're making the right move.
Good luck with your film install!!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,112
Likes: 23
From: Austin, TX
Well contrary to my plan, after talking to my clear bra installer I opted to get the headlamps covered. He was part of the team that developed Suntek and he's installed clear bra on almost 13,000 (!!) cars. He had a CGT in his shop when I arrived, another one had just left, and next week he's getting two 918s and a new RS. He was very familiar with the delamination issue and encountered it personally on a 991 once, but he said he's done tons more and all of the others have gone just fine, and also that the less arched shape of the 981 headlamp makes it much easier to avoid any delamination issues during installation. He did however absolutely agree that the headlamp would delaminate if the clear bra were removed later, but I figure the only reason I'd remove it would be to replace/upgrade the bra several years from now, and I figure by that time if I don't clear bra them now, I'd probably decide to replace the headlamps anyway due to damage. As for the heat entrapment issue, he said the only time he'd even heard of that was on C6 Vettes when some crazy thick 40 mil film was used, a combination which trapped enough heat to crack the lenses. But modern film is much thinner, and he's never seen any similar issues with those films on any of the wide range of cars he's worked with.
So largely based on confidence in my installer, I'm going to take the plunge. I'll let everyone know how it turns out, but I probably won't have the car back until late Tuesday. My original booking had been all day Wednesday, but that became inconvenient, so now my installer is going to work on my car alongside others from now through Tuesday instead. Fingers crossed!
So largely based on confidence in my installer, I'm going to take the plunge. I'll let everyone know how it turns out, but I probably won't have the car back until late Tuesday. My original booking had been all day Wednesday, but that became inconvenient, so now my installer is going to work on my car alongside others from now through Tuesday instead. Fingers crossed!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 78
From: Los Altos, CA
I agree with all that has been said so far
With one exception
Actually two
One I am using 3M pro
Two my installer is absolutely convinced that its the removal process that will cause the headlight to de-laminate.[ i.e. who and how it is removed.]
I am doing mine, as he has convince me that he has yet to have an issue, ever!
I believe him
Regards
Ed
With one exception
Actually two
One I am using 3M pro
Two my installer is absolutely convinced that its the removal process that will cause the headlight to de-laminate.[ i.e. who and how it is removed.]
I am doing mine, as he has convince me that he has yet to have an issue, ever!
I believe him
Regards
Ed
Well contrary to my plan, after talking to my clear bra installer I opted to get the headlamps covered. He was part of the team that developed Suntek and he's installed clear bra on almost 13,000 (!!) cars. He had a CGT in his shop when I arrived, another one had just left, and next week he's getting two 918s and a new RS. He was very familiar with the delamination issue and encountered it personally on a 991 once, but he said he's done tons more and all of the others have gone just fine, and also that the less arched shape of the 981 headlamp makes it much easier to avoid any delamination issues during installation. He did however absolutely agree that the headlamp would delaminate if the clear bra were removed later, but I figure the only reason I'd remove it would be to replace/upgrade the bra several years from now, and I figure by that time if I don't clear bra them now, I'd probably decide to replace the headlamps anyway due to damage. As for the heat entrapment issue, he said the only time he'd even heard of that was on C6 Vettes when some crazy thick 40 mil film was used, a combination which trapped enough heat to crack the lenses. But modern film is much thinner, and he's never seen any similar issues with those films on any of the wide range of cars he's worked with.
So largely based on confidence in my installer, I'm going to take the plunge. I'll let everyone know how it turns out, but I probably won't have the car back until late Tuesday. My original booking had been all day Wednesday, but that became inconvenient, so now my installer is going to work on my car alongside others from now through Tuesday instead. Fingers crossed!
So largely based on confidence in my installer, I'm going to take the plunge. I'll let everyone know how it turns out, but I probably won't have the car back until late Tuesday. My original booking had been all day Wednesday, but that became inconvenient, so now my installer is going to work on my car alongside others from now through Tuesday instead. Fingers crossed!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,350
Likes: 1,640
From: santa barbara
That's the cost I got from Jim Ellis Porsche when I tore off a piece of coating on my 14CS I had. I actually read them the part number off the light. Mine wernt the standard light they were the auto steering ect. Carl
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 78
From: Los Altos, CA
Well I hope my installer was right ...
I am guessing he is. He has been around for a long time and told me he would guaranty them ...
We will see, or hopefully, not
Best regards
Ed
Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,163
Likes: 3,919
I've owned numerous sports cars over 30 years and I've never once had any damage whatsoever to a headlight. Not sure people feel such a need to put film over them. Are you guys really damaging headlights? We've owned a fleet of cars over the decades and zero headlight damage on any of them. Why risk spending thousands due to delamination?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,112
Likes: 23
From: Austin, TX
I've owned numerous sports cars over 30 years and I've never once had any damage whatsoever to a headlight. Not sure people feel such a need to put film over them. Are you guys really damaging headlights? We've owned a fleet of cars over the decades and zero headlight damage on any of them. Why risk spending thousands due to delamination?
Race Director
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 13,163
Likes: 3,919
I get the track thing, though wouldn't blue painters tape be a hell of a lot cheaper? Just seems odd to risk delaminatng two ridiculously expensive headlamps to protect two ridiculously expensive headlamps, particularly given the fact that most owners are going to sell their cars long before they yellow.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,112
Likes: 23
From: Austin, TX
I get the track thing, though wouldn't blue painters tape be a hell of a lot cheaper? Just seems odd to risk delaminatng two ridiculously expensive headlamps to protect two ridiculously expensive headlamps, particularly given the fact that most owners are going to sell their cars long before they yellow.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 78
From: Los Altos, CA
I get the track thing, though wouldn't blue painters tape be a hell of a lot cheaper? Just seems odd to risk delaminatng two ridiculously expensive headlamps to protect two ridiculously expensive headlamps, particularly given the fact that most owners are going to sell their cars long before they yellow.
But my last Porsche had a windshield that looked like a Galaxy after tracking it. Oh, and I still have that car 27+ yrs later ( no selling here)
Also, I had my GT 4 only 10 mins, when I was driving home from the
dealer, with my brand new car, and a rock came up a cracked my windshield
That's why I cover everything and I mean everything
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 762
Likes: 4
I know it sounds a little OCD
But my last Porsche had a windshield that looked like a Galaxy after tracking it. Oh, and I still have that car 27+ yrs later ( no selling here)
Also, I had my GT 4 only 10 mins, when I was driving home from the
dealer, with my brand new car, and a rock came up a cracked my windshield
That's why I cover everything and I mean everything
But my last Porsche had a windshield that looked like a Galaxy after tracking it. Oh, and I still have that car 27+ yrs later ( no selling here)
Also, I had my GT 4 only 10 mins, when I was driving home from the
dealer, with my brand new car, and a rock came up a cracked my windshield
That's why I cover everything and I mean everything
I had Xpel on my 2005 Boxster headlights and just sold it a month ago and the headlights looked and functioned like new.
I tend to keep my cars a long time and think I will also roll the dice and put it on my GT4.
I can't stand the look of pitted, cloudy, yellow headlights.