IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Protecting Headlights

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Old 06-25-14 | 01:36 PM
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Default Protecting Headlights

Hey guys,

What do you guys do to protect your headlights so that it wont get cracked? I saw some product called lamp guard and was wondering if anyone uses/used this?
Old 06-25-14 | 01:41 PM
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Cracked headlights???

Are you taking the IS offroad???
Old 06-25-14 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by kickin8
Cracked headlights???

Are you taking the IS offroad???
I commute to and from work about 40 miles each way 5 days a week and wanted to see if there are any options into protecting my headlights.

Stones fly towards my car a lot and at times I can hear it hitting my windshield with a high pitched clank noise but thank god only one small star shaped crack in the past year that I've gotten so far.

I didn't want a small rock to ding/crack/smash my headlight.
Old 06-25-14 | 02:25 PM
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I don't think the OEM plastic headlights are easy to crack, you can get them wrapped with clear bra to protect against stone chips.
Old 06-25-14 | 02:50 PM
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I was thinking the same thing. With the marring and yellowing that happened on my 2008 IS250, I wanted to be a step ahead on my 2011 IS350.
Old 06-25-14 | 03:06 PM
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Nothing can prevent crack. I never hear anyone crack their headlight unless they are in accident.

To prevent rock chips, yellowing, marring, I would suggest 3M clear bra. To add chemical resistance and UV protection, add Opticoat on top of the 3M clear bra. This is what I did and my headlights shine for 3 years like the first day.
Old 06-26-14 | 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by FSportIS
Nothing can prevent crack. I never hear anyone crack their headlight unless they are in accident.

To prevent rock chips, yellowing, marring, I would suggest 3M clear bra. To add chemical resistance and UV protection, add Opticoat on top of the 3M clear bra. This is what I did and my headlights shine for 3 years like the first day.
Hey thanks for that! I'll have to give that a try.

I've had my IS350 2013 (bought brand new) for exactly one year today and yesterday I replaced the bottom left fog light and noticed that my headlights aren't has shiny as they used to be. Looks like some kind of buildup on the outside. Especially the bottom right fog lamp compared to the new one I installed looks so murky.
Old 06-26-14 | 10:08 AM
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Another temporary solution is that you can apply the "headlight protectant" from Meguiars that has UV protection on the headlight every month or so. Before you do that, make sure you clean the headlight first.

I do triple protection on the headlight: 3M clear bra, Opticoat, and headlight protectant every 2 months or so. This is overkill but well the headlights shine as always.
Old 06-26-14 | 11:24 AM
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My old headlights turned yellow and once I had them replaced for the paint defect, I had a clear bra put on the headlights. The guy charged be $50 for instal and the film and so far they look perfect!
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