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Me being tight git put kitchen cling film onto headlight first, then black insulating tape, simples.
Hi there fellow tight git
It may not be that simple!!
As I understand the reasoning, it's as much about the heat from the bulb which is absorbed by the black plastic, and transferred to the polycarbonate headlamp "glass". This can cause microscopic crazing, and therefore serious weakening of the "glass".
I have never looked into it seriously enough to reach a personal conclusion, but it's perhaps worth alerting you to the possibility.
As a fellow skinflint, I would hate to think you might have to jemmy open the wallet as a result of your clingfilm trick.
As I understand the reasoning, it's as much about the heat from the bulb which is absorbed by the black plastic, and transferred to the polycarbonate headlamp "glass". This can cause microscopic crazing, and therefore serious weakening of the "glass".
This is indeed true, based on my experience. The headlamp lenses on my 2001 Transit are finely crazed, as you describe.
The original cause was a 4 week trip with the black type of headlamp headlight converters fitted.
The crazing doesn't make any noticeable difference to the beam and the 'van has passed an MOT since then, so it doesn't seem to be a problem, but you never know... It is hard to say how much weaker they are - I won't know until a stone or bird hits one of them, I suppose.
I have used the clear 'beam bender' type of headlight converter since then, as I assumed that the heat must have caused the crazing.
I'm lead to believe that it is a chemical/heat reaction between the plastic headlights and the glue on the tape, so I covered the headlight with cling film first then added the tape, as said before, four weeks usage then remove and discard.
No apparent damage or crazing to either headlight.
It took a while to calm the wife down, it is after all, not a fashion parade.
I'm lead to believe that it is a chemical/heat reaction between the plastic headlights and the glue on the tape . . .
But there's glue on the transparent deflectors!
I don't know the definitive answer, and I doubt if many others do!
Having suffered in the past from flying stones, I took the easy way out and bought the protectors. The frighteningly expensive headlamps are now protected, and I know where to stick the masks . . . and the glue won't harm the protectors 'cos they don't get hot enough.
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