Which film should I use to armor my headlights?

Contents

1. Types of headlight armor films
2. Features of headlight armor materials
3. Headlight armor tools and solutions
4. Rules for headlight armoring preparation
5. Steps to follow when armoring headlights
6. Additional options for the use of armor film

Car headlights are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body because the road debris and small stones hit them. Protect your car's valuable and fragile optics with headlight armor film. The transparent film is applied to the surface of the plastic headlight, protecting this essential element of the body from minor damage. Some road users prefer colored tinted films: with their help, the vehicle becomes more stylish and attractive.

Types of films for headlight armoring

Manufacturers offer three types of films for car headlights:

1. Standard vinyl film: both fully transparent and colored. The vinyl film is ineffective in protecting the headlights from the aggressive mechanical effects since it contains polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material becomes less elastic and more brittle at low temperatures. However, it can protect against minor scratches and scuffs. The service life of vinyl films is shorter compared with other types of films. Nevertheless, vinyl is quite popular: it is inexpensive, while the range of shades on the market is quite broad.
2. Paint protection film. Made based on thermoplastic polyurethane, is more elastic (compared to vinyl), and can be used in a wide temperature range. PPF film dampens the impact of small stones and road debris, turning them from point ones to scattered ones. The material consists of a specific number of layers: they effectively absorb and distribute mechanical energy. Some manufacturers of the paint protection film include a varnish layer, which ensures additional protection against chemicals and abrasion. Today, not only the transparent polyurethane film is available on the market: stores offer a large selection of tinted material that can both protect the headlights and slightly darken them.
3. Hybrid film. It is something in between of vinyl and polyurethane-based films. Inexpensive transparent and tinted versions can be found on sale. PVС-based and augmented with various additives, hybrid films are plastic and feature excellent installation and performance characteristics. Due to the top acquered layer, they reliably protect the headlights from aggressive chemicals and minor scratches.

In addition, the materials used for armoring the optics differ in terms of thickness. They can be:

• Thin. These films are easy to apply to the surface, which is very important for headlights with complex geometry. But these materials have a significant disadvantage: they cannot withstand severe impacts.
• Thicker. Polyurethane-based films are much more effective in protecting the headlights from mechanical damage. However, this material can hardly adequately cover glass or plastic: it is used only for headlights with a simple geometric shape.

Special features of headlight armor materials

Any headlight protection film has a variety of advantages:

• Protection. The material creates a barrier between the headlights body and the adverse outside mechanical effects, maintains the integrity of devices, and allows them to remain in perfect condition for a long time.
• Styling. The armor film can be transparent, colored, or tinted. The primary purpose of the first film is to provide invisible protection of the car optics. Two other films provide the headlights protection along with creating their individual style.
• Safety. Transparent materials cannot weaken or distort light beams: such films can be used without restrictions. In addition, if the headlight is destroyed in an accident, the protective film will prevent fragments from getting scattered.
• Benefit. No matter what type of headlight armor material you want to choose, it will cost less to buy and install than buying new headlights.
• Easy application. You can install the headlight protection film in just a few hours.
• Easy removal. The film is easy to remove it does not take much time and effort in case you need to replace the material.
• Top quality. Even after a considerable period, the film does not become blurred.

Remember: only a high-quality film can effectively protect your headlights. Untested material will fail to achieve the desired result and will be difficult to remove from the headlights' surface. There is no need to save money when buying film!

Tools and solutions for headlight armoring

You can reliably protect your car's optics only by strictly following the rules of film application, using reliable tools and properly prepared solutions.

When wrapping headlights, you will need the following:

Tools

• special film wrapping tools;
• shampoo;
• distilled water;
• 70% isopropyl alcohol;
• a special cutter (e.g., Olfa);
• two sprayers for solutions;
• lint-free towels;
• clay to clean the paint coating;
• professional heat gun.

Solutions

• work solution: one liter of distilled water and two to three drops of baby shampoo;
• fixing solution: 850 ml of distilled water and 150 ml of isopropyl alcohol (70%).

Rules for headlight armoring preparation

1. Room

Before you start to armor your optics, it is essential to prepare the room properly. Professionals strongly advise against wrapping car headlights in open space: wind may blow dust and other debris on the headlights' surface. The place for headlights armoring and tinting shall be well cleaned and illuminated. Do not forget about the temperature conditions. The optimal working temperature is - 23⁰С-30⁰С.

2. Surface
• use a work solution to prepare the headlight surface;
• remove dirt and dust from the car surface with clay to clean the paint coating;
• degrease the film installation location with a fixing solution;
• apply the fixing solution onto the wrapping location using a sprayer and remove the remaining dust and lint from the surface with a film wrapping tool;

WARNING! Before you start, make sure that the headlights do not have a ceramic coating. If a ceramic coating applied, it will not be possible to wrap the headlight because of the lack of adhesion.

Steps to follow when armoring headlights

1. clean the headlight from dirt and prepare it for the film application;
2. apply a setting solution onto the headlight and adjoining panel sections and overlay a film of a intentionally larger size onto it;
3. securely fix one edge of the material to the adjoining body panels;
4. stretch the film fixed on one side on the headlight surface and secure it on the other side;
5. wet the material surface with a work solution to ensure easy sliding of the film wrapping tool;
6. remove the setting solution by moving the film wrapping tool gently and consequently;
7. use the film wrapping tool to put the film edges into the gaps between the optics and the adjoining body panels;
8. carefully cut the film around the edge of the headlight, remove the remaining film;
9. smooth out the film to ensure complete removal of any remaining setting solution and secure the edges.

After applying the film, do not use the car for 24 hours. For the next five days, it is better not to wash the car and not to clean the headlights from the dirt. As soon as the film dries well and sets, the car can be operated as usual.

Additional options for the use of armor film

The armor film can be applied on all other car elements that are at risk: front bumper, radiator grill, rearview mirrors, hood, fenders, and sills. The armor film is also widely used in everyday life: it prolongs the life of household appliances, furniture, etc.

Do you want to know how much a headlight protection film can cost, whether it is reasonable to install, and what material is better to tint car elements with? Then contact us on the phone numbers specified on our website.