[VTENGR]

Getting PPF installed on my new 2020 M50i tomorrow and can't decide if it's worth getting the lights done. Right now I'm doing the full front plus roof line and A-pilar. My shop said they don't recommend the PPF on the lights if the lights are laminated. No idea if that's the case for us or not. I'm sure getting the lights done will add almost no cost to the job, so I'm included to do it. Just not sure if I should or not.

[Silver.Solid]

I would totally do the headlights (and i did including the full hood). Best way to protect them and keep them nice and shiny.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by Silver.Solid

I would totally do the headlights (and i did including the full hood). Best way to protect them and keep them nice and shiny.

I'm just concerned that the PPF will damage the headlights if ours are laminated. If you look at the Porsche and Audi forums, it's a big deal for them. My installer said that if you're not 100% sure, don't risk it.

[Silver.Solid]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

I'm just concerned that the PPF will damage the headlights if ours are laminated. If you look at the Porsche and Audi forums, it's a big deal for them. My installer said that if you're not 100% sure, don't risk it.

I didn't know this but i've had good results with my '16 Audi A8 for three years and going.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

I'm just concerned that the PPF will damage the headlights if ours are laminated. If you look at the Porsche and Audi forums, it's a big deal for them. My installer said that if you're not 100% sure, don't risk it.

Can anyone confirm one way or another the headlight concerns? My car is at a wrapper literally right now for something and, upon discussion, headlights dark-out would be interesting to try, but concerned about this assertion.

[eagle_bmw]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

Can anyone confirm one way or another the headlight concerns? My car is at a wrapper literally right now for something and, upon discussion, headlights dark-out would be interesting to try, but concerned about this assertion.

I have mine wrapped and still looks like new (installed May last year). I have laser lights but can't tell if they are laminated. I'm paying attention to this thread as well.

[ted920]

I have laser lights and have XPEL PPF on the headlights with now problem so far. I've had it for 6 months.

[NorCal_CarbonBlack]

No issues to report. With a good installer you won't even be able to tell the lights have PPF on them.

[VTENGR]

The issue so much isn't immediate - its if you have to remove the PPF, and the headlights are laminated, it will pull off the lamination and ruin the headlights. If you go over to the Porsche forum, there's plenty of owners who have experienced this first hand and ruined their headlights.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

The issue so much isn't immediate - its if you have to remove the PPF, and the headlights are laminated, it will pull off the lamination and ruin the headlights. If you go over to the Porsche forum, there's plenty of owners who have experienced this first hand and ruined their headlights.

That's exactly my question that I'd like to know about our headlights. PPF or darkening film doesn't last forever — are we going to damage our headlights when we go to REMOVE the film?

[slampert]

For that matter, what's the paint going to look like 7 to 10 yrs down the road when the PPF fails and has to be removed. I'm told Xpel (which I just had installed on most of the forward facing surfaces of my X) carries a 10 year warranty. The headlights were not done due to a miscommunication with my installer. My car is MW and not subject to routine extended exposure to direct sun. If I had a darker color and lots of sun, and planned to keep the car for an extended period, I'd be very wary of all of these films. Additional empirical evidence would really help.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by slampert

For that matter, what's the paint going to look like 7 to 10 yrs down the road when the PPF fails and has to be removed. I'm told Xpel (which I just had installed on most of the forward facing surfaces of my X) carries a 10 year warranty. The headlights were not done due to a miscommunication with my installer. My car is MW and not subject to routine extended exposure to direct sun. If I had a darker color and lots of sun, and planned to keep the car for an extended period, I'd be very wary of all of these films. Additional empirical evidence would really help.

The PPF is designed to be able to be removed without harming the paint. I imagine in 10 years when the Xpel starts to show signs of yellowing, you would peel it off and have a showroom finish paint job underneath.

[slampert]

BTW, my installer (Sticker City in LA) insists that Xpel poses absolutely no risk to the clear plastic headlight covers. I guess I'll be going back to get mine done....

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by slampert

BTW, my installer (Sticker City in LA) insists that Xpel poses absolutely no risk to the clear plastic headlight covers. I guess I'll be going back to get mine done....

Yep. That's definitely the case IF the headlight isn't laminated.

[Silver.Solid]

see this thread for more information about teh correct way to take off the ppf:

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

[X54TH]

I have used PPF on all our cars...full bumper, full hood, full fenders, mirrors and headlights. I would definitely do the lights. I had a vehicle with no PPF on the lights and with a lot of highway driving and after a few years the lights went cloudy and were pitted. Regardless of how much polishing I did I could never restore those lights. What made things even worse when I got in a fender bender having to replace a light that was crystal clear and the other distorted by age and wear.

[eagle_bmw]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

Yep. That's definitely the case IF the headlight isn't laminated.

I guess the question is whether the headlights (laser or standard) are laminated. I asked my dealer but they couldn't tell. I'm trying to search for it but couldn't find anything either.

Anybody knows?

https://www.bmwoffreeport.com/blogs/...-are-benefits/

[Dr. Jekyll]

Has anybody ever figured this out?

[araje]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jekyll

Has anybody ever figured this out?

I got a quote today from one of the certified and authorized installers listed Stek dianoshield website. They told me that they always recommend applying the ppl on headlights and fog lights and have been doing this for years without any customers complaining.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by araje

I got a quote today from one of the certified and authorized installers listed Stek dianoshield website. They told me that they always recommend applying the ppl on headlights and fog lights and have been doing this for years without any customers complaining.

Have they ever removed them from G05 headlights after a bit of bake-on time? The issue being discussed is not the application of the film, it's the ultimate removal of it without damage.