Headlight Protection
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 72
From: NC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
Paint film does a great job of protecting the headlight assembly from chips and rocks and such. Also keeps them from getting ugly and hazing up.
Damage the headlight exterior? Certainly not with 12 yrs experience on two cars I’ve used it on. The C7s headlight material may well be much different, I don’t know but I’d think GM would not have spec’d material that is so intolerant of heat. I have XPEL on my C7 and it suffered no ill effects in 2014’s summer in central TX. Don
Damage the headlight exterior? Certainly not with 12 yrs experience on two cars I’ve used it on. The C7s headlight material may well be much different, I don’t know but I’d think GM would not have spec’d material that is so intolerant of heat. I have XPEL on my C7 and it suffered no ill effects in 2014’s summer in central TX. Don
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
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From: DFW Area TX
GM (and other manufacturers) have issued TSBs on headlight cracking:
The bulletin is being issued to make dealers and customers aware of chemical damage that may be caused to exterior polycarbonate headlamp lenses. Most late model vehicles have these types of headlamp lenses. This material is used because of its temperature and high impact resistance.
A variety of chemicals can cause crazing or cracking of the headlamp lens. Headlamp lenses are very sensitive. Care should be exercised to avoid contact with all exterior headlamp lenses when treating a vehicle with any type of chemical, such as those recommended for rail dust removal. Rubbing compound, grease tar and oil removers, tire cleaners, cleaner waxes and even car wash soaps in too high a concentration may also attribute to this condition. This could result in the need to replace the entire headlamp housing.
Warning
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Care should be taken to not cover headlamps with shop mats or fender covers if the vehicle is being serviced with the headlamps or DRL illuminated. Covering an illuminated lamp can cause excessive heat build up and crazing/deformation of the lens may occur. The degradation of the lens can be unnoticeable at first and eventually become hairline cracks in the lens. In extreme cases, it could cause the lens to deform. This damage can also be caused by aftermarket shields that are often tinted in color.
Once a heat buildup is generated by the headlamp, a degradation of the headlamp lens begins. This degradation of the lens can be unnoticeable at first and eventually manifest as spider cracks. In more extreme cases, it will begin to melt the lens of the headlamp.
Notice
Headlamps damaged by chemicals, improper cleaning, or overheating due to being covered are not covered under the new vehicle warranty.
A variety of chemicals can cause crazing or cracking of the headlamp lens. Headlamp lenses are very sensitive. Care should be exercised to avoid contact with all exterior headlamp lenses when treating a vehicle with any type of chemical, such as those recommended for rail dust removal. Rubbing compound, grease tar and oil removers, tire cleaners, cleaner waxes and even car wash soaps in too high a concentration may also attribute to this condition. This could result in the need to replace the entire headlamp housing.
Warning
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Care should be taken to not cover headlamps with shop mats or fender covers if the vehicle is being serviced with the headlamps or DRL illuminated. Covering an illuminated lamp can cause excessive heat build up and crazing/deformation of the lens may occur. The degradation of the lens can be unnoticeable at first and eventually become hairline cracks in the lens. In extreme cases, it could cause the lens to deform. This damage can also be caused by aftermarket shields that are often tinted in color.
Once a heat buildup is generated by the headlamp, a degradation of the headlamp lens begins. This degradation of the lens can be unnoticeable at first and eventually manifest as spider cracks. In more extreme cases, it will begin to melt the lens of the headlamp.
Notice
Headlamps damaged by chemicals, improper cleaning, or overheating due to being covered are not covered under the new vehicle warranty.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,032
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From: Upstate NY
I've been aware of this particular TSB. Which is why I put clear tint on the headlamps that don't totally cover every single 1/4 inch, leaving edges to 'breathe' per se. Never had an issue, done this with all of these very low cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 72
From: NC
I should probably add that my XPEL installer recommended not installing XPEL on the headlights. Reason being, he stated he has seen XPEL actually delaminate hightlight housing plastic on a 911, when the XPEL had to be removed. (I didn't ask why it had to be removed). I decided not to cover my headlights in XPEL. I figure if debris hits them hard enough to do damage, that's what insurance is for.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
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I should probably add that my XPEL installer recommended not installing XPEL on the headlights. Reason being, he stated he has seen XPEL actually delaminate hightlight housing plastic on a 911, when the XPEL had to be removed. (I didn't ask why it had to be removed). I decided not to cover my headlights in XPEL. I figure if debris hits them hard enough to do damage, that's what insurance is for.
(and in my case I have xpel on the bumper, entire hood and front fenders). Haven't cracked a headlight lens ever.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
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Likes: 1
I should probably add that my XPEL installer recommended not installing XPEL on the headlights. Reason being, he stated he has seen XPEL actually delaminate hightlight housing plastic on a 911, when the XPEL had to be removed. (I didn't ask why it had to be removed). I decided not to cover my headlights in XPEL. I figure if debris hits them hard enough to do damage, that's what insurance is for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
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From: Cleveland, OH
Have had clear bra on three Vettes and NEVER had the cracking some claim. Don't think it's a problem.
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I would probably follow GMs recommendation, but I can see the concern about damage to the exposed headlight covering.