Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840

    Ceramic protection for headlights

    Many thanks to Fredo for the input regarding home restoration of headlights. I'm all ready to do this work, but I've run across a post or two which mentioned ceramic coating as an alternative to films. I recently put LaminX on my foglights, and after a few months they were semi-opaque from all the abrasion. (I'd love to ceramic the whole car, but can't afford it.)

    Questions- does the ceramic approach seem like a good idea? Any suggestions for a very durable kit that handles such a small job affordably?

    Many thanks...
    Last edited by Dual; 05-05-2019 at 09:05 AM.
    2006 6MT Coupe, Alpine White • Premium, Cold Weather and Xenon packages
    MFactory 3.38 LSD • 27mm M3 bar • ECS strut brace • Koni FSD's


    Other tweaks: see my profile




  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Leesburg, VA
    Posts
    1,209
    I've read that CarPro DLUX Plastic and Wheel Coating works well, but isn't forever.
    2006 330ci ZHP - Silbergrau Metallic / Stoff Laser/Anthrazit / Alu Black Cube trim / Adaptive Xenon headlights / HK hi-fi system / heated front seats

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,921
    I have used Opti lens coating before. Easy to apply

    Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Las Vegas, NV
    Posts
    5,877
    Expel Ultimate Clear Film. I applied it two years ago when I installed new lenses and they still look new with no pitting.

    BAV Stage 1 - BlueBus - UltraGauge - V1 - Orion V4's - ARC-8's - Brembo 996
    TTFS Engine/SMG Tune/CSL 255 - SGT Headers/Sect 1/SCZA - Evolve Eventuri
    VIS XTS CF Hood - CF Lip/Console/Diffuser - OE CSL Trunk - BWS 500S 9k/11k

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    Film is the way to go. A film lasts a long time, whereas a coating has to get reapplied every so often.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840
    I'm pretty disappointed in how the LaminX foglights went 'filmy' after a few winter months. I guess it's XPel? I have to say I have, based on previous experience, zero confidence in my ability to cut and apply film.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Leesburg, VA
    Posts
    1,209
    LaminX is not XPel. XPel Ultimate seems to be their best product.
    2006 330ci ZHP - Silbergrau Metallic / Stoff Laser/Anthrazit / Alu Black Cube trim / Adaptive Xenon headlights / HK hi-fi system / heated front seats

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    You shouldn't have to cut the film if you buy the pre-cut ones.
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840
    I've been all over the XPel website looking for precut and can't locate any. 2006 (I call it 2005) coupe.
    ON EDIT: I've contacted them.
    Last edited by Dual; 05-06-2019 at 12:45 PM.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840
    From XPel just now:
    Thank you for contacting XPEL inc, at this time I do not see that we offer a pattern for these headlamps. You can reach out to local installers to see if anyone would be able to do a custom install for you, follow the link below to find installers near you.

    https://www.xpel.com/locator/search/clearbra_installers
    The nearest installer is two states away. XPEL used to sell by the roll; maybe I'll go that route and find a local installer.

    Anyone care to speak up strongly in favor of ceramics before I commit?
    2006 6MT Coupe, Alpine White • Premium, Cold Weather and Xenon packages
    MFactory 3.38 LSD • 27mm M3 bar • ECS strut brace • Koni FSD's


    Other tweaks: see my profile




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