lamin-x

[Varinn]

Did a quick search, haven't found much on this.

I'm pretty set on getting the clear Lamin-X for the headlights on my Z to try and avoid them from getting pitted and faded. Has anyone here had any experience with the clear Lamin-X or some alternative to cover the front of the body itself? It seems like it would really help to reduce the chances of rock chips on the front edge of the hood and fenders etc.

I know some people are bothered by the visible edge on it, but others say they cant even notice it.

http://www.lamin-x.com/BMW-Z4-M-06-0...n-p/b509f2.htm

[chickdr]

I have a clear bra(not Lamin-X) on my car and the Lamin-X headlight covers. I think it has done a wonderful job so far. No rock chips and my headlights are flawless. My car only has 18k miles so not the best example, but I still highly recommend it.

[XMetal]

Here's my comment on it from another post => http://www.zpost.com/forums/showpost...8&postcount=18

[Dalecan]

My whole front end has been covered in this stuff for about a year. The headlights are still the same as they were the day it was put on.

Great stuff.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by Dalecan

My whole front end has been covered in this stuff for about a year. The headlights are still the same as they were the day it was put on.

Great stuff.

+ 1

I know OptiCoat is also pretty popular with F8X guys. Seen pretty good reviews

[David70]

I had the front end of my Audi A3 (sold in May) done at 20k miles and sold it at 150k. The line was visible and not ideal but I would definitely do it again. No chips on the front end and scrubbing bugs off was far easier.

I think my Z4M has had it on a long time (I've had the car 2.5 years), a little yellowing (tiny amount) and you can see the line but again no chips or scratches. It even has some pieces in front of the rear wheels.

[inTgr8r]

I always used it on my leased vehicles, but never liked the look of it.
It did do the job though.

[Varinn]

Seems that the general concensus is that it works well to protect the paint, but is not overly appealing to look at. I guess my best option is to try and pay attention to cars over the next little while and see if I can notice it well enough for it to bug me or not.

The headlight film seems like a no-brainer though, cheap and easy preventative measure against fogging.

[Pik Masta]

I have the yellow film on my e36. had it for about two years now. Looks great and durable against rock chips and such.

[elerner61]

I would recommend doing the front bumper. 3.5 years ago when I bought the car mine was about perfect. Now 24K suburban miles later it's about a 7 on a scale of 10.

[Dalecan]

I have my whole hood covered so there is no (ugly) visible line. Really, you can't see that its on there. Plus the laminex is self healing so most scratches go away. I actually think mine has a better paint reflection with it on.

[3002 tii]

Here's the thing, on some cars/makes the film can trap heat causing the outer lens to crack. I've talked to my clear bra installer and he says that typically happens with very thick films (Lamin-x offers 2 thicknesses and I woukd say the thicker of the 2 wokld fall under this category). He said he's never had an issue with any of the thinner films on BMW's.

With that said I regret not getting my headlights covered. Both headlights have developed spider web cracks on the surface despite never being involved in any kind of front end collision. The car sitting so low just takes such a beating. If I could do it over again I would cover the entire front end, bumper, full hood, headlights and mirrors -- all areas that have managed to get chipped, pitted or scratched over the years.

I've learned my lesson though and invested in clear bra for those seams areas on my other car. I've out on over 30,000 miles in the first year of ownership and that headlights look great.