Vrodman

Just had new xenon headlight assemblies installed by dealer, under warranty.

Thats the good news,

But now that they look so awesome, it makes the clear covers for the dayight LED's look not so clear. A bit yellowish.

Should I use the same stuff for headlight lenses to bring them back to clear?

Recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

PeterUbers

3m light restoration kit

Vrodman

Thanks Peter,

You always come through.

I will give it a try!

vdubpower

clear bra them after wards

PeterUbers

Heavily mask the paint and I agree ... Clear wrap otherwise they'll yellow faster the next time

KarlG

The kit you listed is great. The clear bra also helps protect against chips.

I have a bunch of plastic products such as motorcycle windscreens, aircraft front glass, helmet visors, etc. And for matinence the Novus line of products work well.

Vrodman

Thanks,

Can you be more specific?

Are we talking simply puting clear saran/plastic wrap over them after they are clean?

vdubpower

Yep saran wrap.

Dude.. Xpel ultimate shield

PeterUbers

Many tint shops can apply this for you... It'll be like $50 to get this done

vdubpower

do the whole front of the car...well worth it

Vrodman

Thanks Vdub. Thanks Peter

Sounds like good advice.

Makes me think on the tinting shop comment

An Exec I work with said to me the other day, "you know what the first thing I would do with that car is?"

"Tint the windows"

I repiled that it might start looking too "drug dealer" looking, as it is black, and he disagreed.

What are your impressions on tinting?

Just curious.

Thanks Again

vdubpower

where do u reside... kinda makes a difference to some....all my cars get tinted as im a drug dealer

Vrodman

LMFAO!

I live in Silicon Valley.

PeterUbers

I tint my cars the day after I buy them... I have 35% all around

vdubpower

theres sun there, tint them

by the way, thats the best show on tv

PeterUbers

I got rid of my pager as I no longer deal drugs

otakki

Yup, all those dudes above deal with so much drug on a daily basis they've all gotten DEA numbers tied to their names.

Vrodman

Hey Vdub bud,

When you say do the whole front of the car, what does that exactly include?

Headlights, running lights, 15 to 18 inches of front of hood?

Sorry if the question seems lame. I have never done the clear bra before.

THanks in advance!

vdubpower

no problem

EVERYTHING. Actually its to each's preference..

Mine has full hood, bumper, headlights, fog lights, front fenders, A pillars, side mirrors, trunk lid, and door edges..

some go more, some less

xpel ultimate is great brand film, get someone good to do the install.. I use sean at ultimate shield if u are in so-cal

Vrodman

So one last question toward my education on this topic:

When you put this clear shield on all these surfaces to protect them and the longgivity of your car, when the clear shield starts to look bad, can it be cost effectively removed and redone?

Is stripping and replacing significantly more than original application?

Thanks again.

BTW, I answered you question about alignment and distronic on the other thread.

Cheers.

vdubpower

it peels off like a sticker, early versions of this would yellow because their glue wouldnt hold up...xpel on my car has held up great for 3 yrs so far..

i wasnt a believe in the beginning as I like to do my own professional details on my car with DUal action machines etc but u can still use those on this if u are skilled or u dont necesarily need to as it protects and self anneals when scratched.

some people like using nano coatings like seaquartz and others instead... i dont know how those work as much

my clear bra cost wasnt cheap, a few grand because i had it tucked so you can see the edges... its not necessary though

sc98

Xpel also has a 10 year warranty so they'll redo it for free if it yellows before then.

Vrodman

So I had the day off and visited one of the top tinters in BA Ca.

He recommended 30% on all side and rear windows. 60% on windshield.

I have two options:

$600 for top of the line ceramic impregnated film that rejects 53% of heat.

Or

$350 for film that looks the same, but rejects only 40%. Leaning toward this one.

Asked about clear bra. He quoted me $750 that includes entire front end, side mirrors, door handle pockets, leading edges on doors, and a few locations on rear of car.

I am thinking that rear areas and leading door edges are not necessary. Maybe knock these off and get it done for $600ish.

Any of you guys that have already offered tips on this thread think this sounds about right? Anymore tips I should keep in mind?

I noticed my door pockets behind the handles already do have minor wear scratches (car is 4 years old now). I assume they would need to polish these out b4 applying the clear wrap?

Thanks in Advance Guys.

Cheers

beegee227

that sounds like a great deal! which shop? I'm also in the Bay Area.

Vrodman

Extreme Tint & Polish

Santa Clara.

One of my exec colleagues has had about 4 of his cars done by these guys and loves them. He referred me.

Good luck!