Headlight protection question

[grahamfitter]

How might one protect headlight and taillight lenses from damage by stones thrown up by other vehicles (big trucks) on a gravel highway?

This is for a Jeep TJ but probably applies to any vehicle. The offerings from Quadratec and the like look rather ineffective. I was thinking about a metal grill that stands out from the lens a little. Hopefully enough to wipe it.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Graham

 

[IllianaXJ]

http://www.autotrucktoys.com/jeep/M...esh-Stone-Guard-Set-97-06-TJ-P14369C3548.aspx

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

I have a friend who uses the rock protection headlight film from 3M. I know a lot of sports car teams use the clear (or colored) stuff to help prevent rock damage, especially for the endurance racers. Its pretty thick and kind of rubbery and seems to be pretty effective. You can get it from places like Rock Blocker. It doesn't look quite as buff as the mesh grills but its easier to clean.

 

[bigreen505]

I had a set of Focus Thin Shell headlight guards from Daniel Stern Lighting. I think he got them from Australia. They were fantastic, guaranteed unbreakable and never to yellow. You might ask him about them, I think they were imported from Australia. Tell him I sent you.

If you look closely you can see them in the photo below. Hopefully Scott won't mind me using it.

 

[paulj]

I've applied the thick 3M film to the headlights of both my RAV4 and Element. Once applied it's pretty much out-of-sight, out-of-mind. I don't know if I've ever had rock hit on the lights, but haven't had a crack either.

It's been a while since I applied these, but I think the brand I ordered (precut) was Expel or Exped.

paulj

 

[offroad_nomad]

I made these lens guards from some wire mesh I got from Lowes for about $15.

 

[greybrick]

I used metal headlamp protector grills for years when other types weren't available but they are a PITA as you need to take them off everytime to clean the headlamps and most are made of chromed steel so will eventually rust, although there might be stainless steel metal grills available now.

Thick 3M film is OK for small gravel but won't really protect glass headlamps against big rocks, it will help add to polycarbonate lens strength though.

What you want imo is 1/8" to 3/16" scratch resistant Lexan and and silicon it on to the face of the headlamps and tail lamps. After 3 or 4 years it will scratch up some, just cut it off at the silicon bead and install another. Lots of local plastic specialty shops and home hardware stores supply it now at reasonable cost and there is good info on the net as to how to cut and bend Lexan.

.

 

[ckkone]

I have an idea but I don't know that a Jeep TJ is, how about a model and year?

 

[Rockcrawler]

I have an idea but I don't know that a Jeep TJ is, how about a model and year?

Jeep TJ is the designation for all Short wheel base Wranglers from 1997 to 2006 (2007?) 2007 and newer are JKs... There is a list online that will give you all the designations, CJ, SJ, YJ etc.

 

[crawler#976]

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pr...USPlastic&category_name=21314&product_id=9909

For a few bucks, buy a sheet and make your own guards!

 

[durango_60]

If you look closely you can see them in the photo below. Hopefully Scott won't mind me using it.

Considering Scott nearly gave his life for that shot I would think he'd charge you a considerable sum every time it is used.

 

[SLOwag]

I have a friend who uses the rock protection headlight film from 3M

I used some no-name film on an Alaskan trip and didn't incur any damage over six weeks time.

 

[lowenbrau]

Its worth while to check with your local authorities about the legality of what you want to use. Some jurisdictions forbid anything between the light and the road. I've had good luck protecting the lenses from rocks by using the wire mesh but it does nothing about thermal shock. I have killed a few sets of h4s by running high watt (135W) lamps and encountering water (my IPFs were killed by a sudden rainstorm) I haven't tried but I believe the thicker of the films might avoid that if they can handle the heat themselves. I found a source for cheap h4s so I stopped chasing the problem but I'd like to know how the polycarbonate H4 housings hold up. I suspect that they'll turn to a puddle if I put some 170W 24V lamps in them.:smileeek:

 

[DaveInDenver]

I made these lens guards from some wire mesh I got from Lowes for about $15.

Mind snapping a couple more angles? I tinkered with this same protection with some scrap. How noticeable is light reflection and impact on light down the road? I had aluminum grills from a destroyed screen door that were uncoated silver, so they reflected too much to really get a feel for how much grills would cut the forward light. Just trying to get more ideas, thanks!

 

[madizell]

If the expanded metal covers 25% of the frontal area, you can expect a reduction in light similar to the coverage. Glare should be an issue no matter how you make such guards as long as they are in your line of sight. Even painting them flat black they will still bounce light back your way.

I have used the stick on film for years on the race car, and it is now peeling around the edges and noticeably yellowed, but this is after 6 years or so of use, sometimes with high beams as strong as 175W. I have not noticed any breakage attributable to rocks since using the film, but I also notice that it likes flat surfaces and does not conform well to rounded shapes, so keep that in mind when choosing your solution.