HEADPHONES Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 With my ever losing battle with oxidising headlights no matter what coating I used after polishing, I committed myself to try a wrap to protect them. Being aware of my limited skills I bought 3 pieces with the plan to try wrapping a spare old rear light cluster I have lying around The size and curves being similar to the front headlights would be a good training exercise. Armed with a heat gun and some spray lube (750ml water and a teaspoon of shower gel) I made quite good progress. Just needed to use my fingernail to tuck the edges in tight. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted July 25, 2021 Author Share Posted July 25, 2021 So I repolished one of the headlights and then wiped down with alcohol. Re wiped with water. Then started my wrap. All went well til I peeled off the protective top layer. No bubbles but some cloudy patches similar to when celotape sticks against itself adhesive side to adhesive side and when you pull it apart it isn't clear anymore. I thought maybe I used the wrong lube so tried again with JUST WATER........ May as well have tried using it dry....... total mess Going to order another FOUR pieces as I'm adamant to nail this 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPAXY Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 good on you mate,keep going on it.the lad who does my window tinting uses johnson baby shampoo,not sure why maybe the lowish chemical content,maybe worth a try on a test piece. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Muxlow Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 That’s a great idea. Good luck and keep going. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Keep at it pal, coatings are crap and don't last. Done mine x3 times now for the pair and 90% is good enough. Careful not to get fingers on the sticky part of the film that will end up on the headlamp and to clean all areas around the lamp also. All good practice as these lamps look fairly flat however are far from. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veeg33 Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 I would recommend fairly liquid + water. Spray on both surfaces, headlights and also the film (sticky side). Lots of water to stop it from sticking when you position/work on the film. Start from middle and work you way out with a squeeze or credit card. Once you 'squeeze' the water out, the film will stick to your headlights. Depending on the film quality, you want to consider to either cut the film to size ie no folding at the edges or 3-5mm extra to fold it. Both have their pros and cons. To size - No risk of edge unfolding due to film not sticking to headlights well but you might peel it whilst washing your headlights (I supposed you can take care whilst washing them). Folded - Looks better but as above, the edges might start to unfold after some time 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Where possible I've folded the film for the lamps even using cheap wrap and as long as the surface is clean and you post heat the edge to seal, it won't fail and that's 3yrs on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 Is it me or the material? I get this milky cloudiness and this is my third attempt. If I do a small patch that doesn't need stretching or lifting to reposition, it's all good. But I have to heat and stretch to get round the curves right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Umster Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Material. Though I'd leave it on for a few days and see what happens. When it comes to wrapping, I would always recommend to pay a professional and someone who's willing to offer a "lifetime guarantee". Worth every penny imo, I've had air bubbles/water spots get in and they've offered to replace the wrap for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Those areas you shouldn't need heat at all. https://youtu.be/IFuNQSM6Yhc This is the only section ideally you want to be adding fitment heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 Just finished my 4th attempt of the day. I finally have to admit defeat. I've run out of film anyway I'm pretty sure it's because I'm taking too long and the adhesive doesn't like being repeatedly squeegeed. Didn't even peel off to reposition at all this time, holding the heat gun between my knees and using 2 hands to stretch round the bottom left corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 This last roll had some creases in it but I thought I'd use it up to practice with. You can see the row of perfectly straight lines. Hopefully these disappear with time. If not no biggy as it can be peeled off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Bar those defects, application looks great. Is this being applied wet or dry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 I was wetting underneath and ontop every 30 seconds or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 See how they look in a few days 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilogikal1 Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 As much use as YouTube videos are, drop our resident professional a message and see if @zippypooz has any helpful advice/input for you. I suspect whether it's user error or media issues, he will be able to identify it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 I did some digging on the subject late last night and found this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 (edited) So I didn't rip the wrap off and thought I'd take Davey's advice. This morning there's a big difference. Pics show last night Vs this morning Edited August 1, 2021 by HEADPHONES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippypooz Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 So, start at the most curved end of the light first when ready to apply, use johnsons baby shampoo, only a little as if you use too much it wont adhere well. Always keep your hands wet when touching the film. Usually those marks appear when theres water left under the film or if its been stretched too much OR if not enough liquid has been used. Sometimes it will vanish after a few days but ideally you dont want it there in the first place. When trying to stick the edges down, squirt with clean water to remove the soapiness and then squeegee down. To be fair youve not done a bad job considering you did it on your own! An extra pair of hands always helps! Well done though! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share Posted August 2, 2021 (edited) 20 hours ago, zippypooz said: 20 hours ago, zippypooz said: When trying to stick the edges down, squirt with clean water to remove the soapiness and then squeegee down That's a great tip thanks I used one teaspoon of Johnson's baby shampoo to 750ml water. I didn't even cheap out and buy Tesco's own brand I'll be ordering another 4 pieces and I'm pretty confident I'll nail it now Edited August 2, 2021 by HEADPHONES 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEADPHONES Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share Posted August 2, 2021 Looking even better now, but it was a defective sheet to begin with so I'll redo when I get more supplies. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Muxlow Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 That looks great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippypooz Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Nice job! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loadmaster Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 What a difference! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey_83 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 You'll be a pro before long, well done looks great 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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