[Treemagnet]

Finally made the decision to do full frontal (?) and rocker panels in XPEL Ultimate Plus next week. In addition, XPEL San Antonio will also ceramic coat our 20" Carrera S (443) wheels and calipers. I am willing to take the warranty risk associated with PPF covering painted areas, but not so sure about the headlights.

Thus, the remaining issue to resolve is whether to PPF the headlights. According to most forums, Porsche does not cover headlight issues (delamination or otherwise) associated with PPF; although, I have yet to locate definitive information regarding this issue from Porsche. My BS CPO warranty runs through April 2023 and replacement is uber expensive (~$4K per headlight); hence my indecision.

Have any of you experienced ANY warranty issues associated with headlights that had PPF (including, delamination, spidering, light failure, etc.)? If so, how were your issues resolved and what part, if any, did PPF play in Porsche's warranty decision?

Those of you who have PPF on your headlights, would you do it again? Why or why not?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

Treemagnet

 

[InTgr8r]

I have PPF on mine.
I just didnt want to deal with pitted, ugly lights down the road.

PPF can easily be removed from headlights without damage (delamination) with proper technique.
The PPF has to be steamed to soften the bonding agent.
It then comes off very easily.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

I have PPF on mine.
I just didnt want to deal with pitted, ugly lights down the road.

PPF can easily be removed from headlights without damage (delamination) with proper technique.
The PPF has to be steamed to soften the bonding agent.
It then comes off very easily.

I concur with InTgr8r. If it's steamed off... there will be no issue. If you do end up with a claim for your light, like the crazing on the inside, have the film removed and then take it to the dealer.


Welcome to the PPF club... or as I like to refer to it "Meh". Because most things you were careful about before, you'll now say Meh too!

 

[Soda]

The place that did my PPF install strongly recommended not doing the headlights. They said that the heat from the headlights can cause early failure of the PPF and the failing PPF can then damage the headlights. I took their professional advice and skipped the PPF on the lights.

 

[Treemagnet]

@Soda heat buildup is my greatest fear, although in my first 11 months of ownership I only drove in the dark twice for approximately 1/2 hour each time. Future headlight usage won’t vary much.

DRLs are always on during daylight; however, it is my understanding DRLs are low power and create far less heat. If true, I would be surprised if DRL heat buildup would be greater than when using high-beams without PPF. Then again, I’m no engineer.

 

[antennahead]

I had mine covered when I did my front bumper. While this was only 9 months ago after I took delivery, I have no issues so far.

 

[DriveInHouston]

Mine is a CPO which had the headlights PPF'd. I wonder whether it's part of any warranty that comes with the CPO...

 

[don]

I have full PPF including the headlights. If you have LEDs there will be no heat and if you have Xenons the bulb is behind the projector far away enough so there is no heat.

For the old halogen globe cars with reflector then you could get a little bit of heat, but doesn't really apply to modern cars IMO.

The PPF is likely to get more heat from the sun.

 

[Treemagnet]

I have full PPF including the headlights. If you have LEDs there will be no heat and if you have Xenons the bulb is behind the projector far away enough so there is no heat.

For the old halogen globe cars with reflector then you could get a little bit of heat, but doesn't really apply to modern cars IMO.

The PPF is likely to get more heat from the sun.

The headlights on my BS are mid-level, PDLS with Bi-Xenon Headlights and integrated LED daytime running lights. So hopefully, heat buildup should not be a problem. Thanks!

Just in case there are any headlight issues, the film may mysteriously disappear prior to a warranty visit.

 

[sobiloff]

My CPO came with a PPF on the headlights that was installed by Porsche NA, so I don’t expect any issues with it.

 

[Treemagnet]

After weighing all the advice and observations, I am now fairly comfortable adding PPF to my headlights. Of course, I'll report back in the event of any future issues.

Thanks very much to everyone for your input!

 

[Westcoaster]

Late to the party but of the last 3 Porsches, all have had PPF on the headlights and they have been problem free over each of their 4 year runs... in fact our Macan is heading in year 5.

 

[Treemagnet]

Late to the party but of the last 3 Porsches, all have had PPF on the headlights and they have been problem free over each of their 4 year runs... in fact our Macan is heading in year 5.

That's great news...Thanks!

 

[Westcoaster]

@Treemagnet Just to follow up with some pictures of the Macan headlights, PPF on them for over 4 years and my GMC truck now at 2 years and with those headlights they are flat anything that hits them would damage the lens, BTW the last time I checked even the GMC replacement assembly was close to $1000 CDN each!

 

[Treemagnet]

@Treemagnet Just to follow up with some pictures of the Macan headlights, PPF on them for over 4 years and my GMC truck now at 2 years and with those headlights they are flat anything that hits them would damage the lens, BTW the last time I checked even the GMC replacement assembly was close to $1000 CDN each!

Thanks, that is great news! Blue Streak II (aka Cruella) is scheduled for her annual service and brake fluid flush on Wednesday at a recommended Inde. Will pick her up Thursday morning and shuttle her to XPEL San Antonio for her PPF install. Not sure how many days that will take.

I’m somewhat apprehensive, as she’s never spent the night away from home. Regardless, I plan to provide an assessment of the work done by both the Inde (German Car Specialists) and XPEL SA when she returns home.

 

[TPatt]

I know this thread is a little over a year old. But thought I would ask the ones that have PPF'd their headlights, how it's going, any issues. Would you still do it?

My car is due to arrive next week and I have an appoint to have it PPF'd the week after. The shop said most of the time they do the headlights as well but wanted me to know the things that could happen. He said they have never seen it but that XPEL doesn't warranty any problems with the headlights being PPF'd. He said years down the road if they are looking bad they can take off the PPF and sand / polish the lens and reapply the PPF.
But he said it's my decision.

 

[Scrounger]

I’ve had my headlights PPF’d for just over a year with no issues. (Touch wood).

 

[NishG]

Seems to be 50/50 split on all the forums on whether to PPF the headlights. Apparently, there is an explicit notice in the owner's manual to not apply stone guard to the headlights. It's one of those things that is a "do at your own risk". I didn't get my 718 Spyder headlights PPF'd because my installer refused to go against Porsche recommendations (likely for liability, he doesn't want to have to pay for $4000 headlights), but I'm searching for an installer that will. I hate the look of pitted headlights down the road, however, a part of me is concerned about warranty being voided if I have a headlight failure.

 

[Westcoaster]

I know this thread is a little over a year old. But thought I would ask the ones that have PPF'd their headlights, how it's going, any issues. Would you still do it?

My car is due to arrive next week and I have an appoint to have it PPF'd the week after. The shop said most of the time they do the headlights as well but wanted me to know the things that could happen. He said they have never seen it but that XPEL doesn't warranty any problems with the headlights being PPF'd. He said years down the road if they are looking bad they can take off the PPF and sand / polish the lens and reapply the PPF.
But he said it's my decision.

I had this done on my 2016 Boxster GTS (4 years) and now on my 2020 Spyder (1 year), no issues what so ever additionally it is on the wives 2016 Macan (5 years) and they look great too, below are pictures of the Macan. I also had this done on my 2018 GMC pickup, 3 years now.

And these are on my GMC pickup