Headlight film - recommendations?
- Thread starter cheeser
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
MTN4RNR
New member
Washed my headlights one of the first times with the back side of the sponge which is a bit more of a bug scrubber on accident. Left some lite scratching on the lens that I am pretty bummed about. If it's out there and doesn't effect the quality of the light output, I would say why not.
Moremankev
New member
I had mine done with the 3m when the local tint shop did the clear bra. I can't imagine not having it. My wife's accord is a 2010 and they're so awful looking from the sun I assume. So--- yes spend the extra money. It's way too hard to do it yourself.
propain
New member
Lamin-x Protective Films : Headlight, Tail Light and Fog Light Protection Protective Films is your manufacturer and design source for Headlight Covers, Tail Light Covers, Fog light Covers, and Clear Bras.
Tried them earlier, but they don't seem to have one for my year.
I did check the following site:
Invisible Mask - Clear Bra Automotive Paint Protection, 3M Scotchgard, Carbon Fiber 3M Films
propain
New member
Give them a call and let them know the make/model,, from what i was told, they make this custom for every vehicle. I ordered for the T4R fogs and they cut to specs, I dont think anything is pre-cut. Never tried the 3M, so i cant vouch.
flyinhawaiian01
New member
I've installed 3M, ClearShield and now a newish one, Suntek, on vehicle headlights, and I can tell you right now, they are worth every penny if you either run your vehicle through car washes regularly, do a lot of interstate travel, or live in areas that lay cinder or gravel during winter.
3M is okay, as is the ClearShield brand, but I've noticed that they are not as optically clear as the new Suntek version.
I'm running Suntek on a few vehicles, including my 4runner and wife's van, and they show zero reflection when the lights are on, something that I didn't care for with the 3M material as it reduces your light output by a good amount.
So far, the material's been on my vehicles (and a couple customers vehicles) for about 4 or 5 months now, and with my wife running her van through the car wash weekly, there's zero sign of any scratching, hazing or cloudiness.
My suggestion is to find a paint protection shop that uses SunTek films, head over and take a peek at the material. You'll immediately notice a difference in clarity against some of the other brands. You can also see what they'll charge you to do the headlights and/or foglights, as the 4 runner's lights (at least the earlier version, like my '11 SR5's) are not easy to wrap and will require at least 2 pieces to do it right.
3M is okay, as is the ClearShield brand, but I've noticed that they are not as optically clear as the new Suntek version.
I'm running Suntek on a few vehicles, including my 4runner and wife's van, and they show zero reflection when the lights are on, something that I didn't care for with the 3M material as it reduces your light output by a good amount.
So far, the material's been on my vehicles (and a couple customers vehicles) for about 4 or 5 months now, and with my wife running her van through the car wash weekly, there's zero sign of any scratching, hazing or cloudiness.
My suggestion is to find a paint protection shop that uses SunTek films, head over and take a peek at the material. You'll immediately notice a difference in clarity against some of the other brands. You can also see what they'll charge you to do the headlights and/or foglights, as the 4 runner's lights (at least the earlier version, like my '11 SR5's) are not easy to wrap and will require at least 2 pieces to do it right.
flyinhawaiian01
New member
Just realized, I took photos of my wife's van's headlight install! Still pretty hard to see, but you can tell old from new material:
Here's the original 3M film, about 5 years old:
Removed material, lens looks like new, minus a little adhesive left over from removing the 3M bra:
Here's the difference between protected and unprotected lexan, left of the arrows had no clearbra over the headlight:
And the new Suntek film installed:
Here's the original 3M film, about 5 years old:
Removed material, lens looks like new, minus a little adhesive left over from removing the 3M bra:
Here's the difference between protected and unprotected lexan, left of the arrows had no clearbra over the headlight:
And the new Suntek film installed:
Looking for Headlight recommendations...
I purchased aftermarket headlights for my 2004 4Runner Sport, and they are terrible. The adjusters don't work either.
Can someone make a recommendation for high quality headlight replacements, that equal or exceed Toyota's stock headlights???
Thank you!
Jeff S.
I purchased aftermarket headlights for my 2004 4Runner Sport, and they are terrible. The adjusters don't work either.
Can someone make a recommendation for high quality headlight replacements, that equal or exceed Toyota's stock headlights???
Thank you!
Jeff S.
Looking for headlight replacement recommendations for 2004 4runner
I purchased aftermarket headlights for my 2004 4Runner Sport, and they are terrible. The adjusters don't work either.
Can someone make a recommendation for high quality headlight replacements, that equal or exceed Toyota's stock headlights???
Thank you!
Jeff S.
I purchased aftermarket headlights for my 2004 4Runner Sport, and they are terrible. The adjusters don't work either.
Can someone make a recommendation for high quality headlight replacements, that equal or exceed Toyota's stock headlights???
Thank you!
Jeff S.
Tisoy281
New member
Try TYC. Look them up on Amazon. I got a pair for my 2011 for like 150 each or the pair. I can't remember, but they're as close to stock as you can get without paying an arm and a leg. My buddy owns a body shop, and that's all he uses is TYC.
nglayton
Senior Member
cbielat
Senior Member
I've had mine on for over 6 years now. Light output is still pretty strong after all this time. Been thinking of getting a new set to apply.
Tisoy281
New member
And he buys his parts from Amazon?
No, he gets his from a Pats supplier. I ordered mine on amazon so I could get the trail headlights
Decipher
New member
The headlights on my 2010 with 93,000 miles look brand new with no film. My truck is used off road and sees it all including abusive winters.
I use, once a year, a headlight polish to remove any fading or yellowing of the plastic. They literally look brand new.
Doing the film won’t harm anything but I’m just not sure it’s necessary after my experience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I use, once a year, a headlight polish to remove any fading or yellowing of the plastic. They literally look brand new.
Doing the film won’t harm anything but I’m just not sure it’s necessary after my experience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I had lamin-x on my GLIs headlights. The film started dulling out so I tried pulling them off and all the glue stayed behind. Googone doesn’t work, I have to soak it in water or heat it and rub like crazy. They still look like crap with glue everywhere. It would have been much easier to sand and polish the plastic once it got faded. Never again will I use lamin-x on headlights.
