5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

Baking Headlights w/ XPel

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-31-2006, 10:15 AM
  #1  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
CRBWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: 32 miles north of Nissan AZ Proving Grounds
Posts: 239
Baking Headlights w/ XPel

My headlights have the Xpel protectant film installed (similar to 3M clear bra material).

I am worried about damaging the film when I bake the lights for the DDE install.

The conservative solution would be to remove the Xpel and install new film after the baking....but I would prefer not to.

Anyone baked headlights with protectant film installed?
CRBWS6 is offline  
Old 03-31-2006, 10:28 AM
  #2  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Mizike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 630
BUMP!!....I did the DDE install, and shortly afterwards covered my headlight lenses with Lamin-X. Well, now one of the rings needs to be replaced. I guess I could just take it off and purchase another piece of film, but id rather not also. Helpful suggestions appreciated!...Good looking ride CRBWS6!!
Mizike is offline  
Old 03-31-2006, 10:34 AM
  #3  
teddibear703
iTrader: (6)
 
JdoubleOe703's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,122
call xpel and ask them at what temp the film and adhesive changes/ melts or yellows...
JdoubleOe703 is offline  
Old 03-31-2006, 10:46 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
ICULookN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 1,086
Just buy a heat gun so that you can direct the heat where needed.
ICULookN is offline  
Old 03-31-2006, 11:47 AM
  #5  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Mizike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 630
I thought about using a hair dryer to carefully heat up the headlight housing as not to harm the film, but I figured that would take FOREVER.....
Mizike is offline  
Old 03-31-2006, 12:05 PM
  #6  
"tse-tse fly"
iTrader: (10)
 
2K3MAX2NV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: L.I., NY
Posts: 1,529
PM bugbite77 he has done several DDE installs
2K3MAX2NV is offline  
Old 03-31-2006, 07:56 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
kbohip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 497
Originally Posted by Mizike
BUMP!!....I did the DDE install, and shortly afterwards covered my headlight lenses with Lamin-X. Well, now one of the rings needs to be replaced. I guess I could just take it off and purchase another piece of film, but id rather not also. Helpful suggestions appreciated!...Good looking ride CRBWS6!!
One of your rings died already? Umnitza states on their site the life of the rings are around 20k hours. I hope they hold up for a long time, because I definitely don't want to bake my headlights more than once.
kbohip is offline  
Old 04-03-2006, 05:41 AM
  #8  
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Mizike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 630
The ring didnt burn out....it was my fault.....well kind of. After I had all 4 rings installed, I was trying to be extra careful and wrap each wire leading from the headlight to the ballast with electrical tape. Well, I pulled too hard on one wire and it ended up coming free and disconnecting from the end of the ring, so only half of the ring lights up. The wire was barely stuck in there from looking at how much bare wire was on the end of the wire. Anyhow, it sucks since I hardly got to use the DDEs before I had problems; i.e. bad ballast also. Still wondering how to open the headlight without ruining the film.....bump!
Mizike is offline  
Old 04-03-2006, 05:45 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
qballjr13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 197
What if you soak a towel and put the lens film face down on the wet towel while its on the oven?
qballjr13 is offline  
Old 04-03-2006, 10:36 AM
  #10  
westler92
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by qballjr13
What if you soak a towel and put the lens film face down on the wet towel while its on the oven?

The steam will kill it.......

Your best bet would be to use a hiar dryer and save yourself time and energy....
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
doctorpullit
8th Generation Maxima (2016-)
21
10-28-2019 10:58 PM
trsandrew
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
17
04-08-2016 06:45 PM
knight_yyz
5th Generation Classifieds (2000-2003)
12
11-01-2015 01:34 PM
trsandrew
Group Deals / Sponsors Forum
2
10-25-2015 02:47 PM
Noela
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
5
09-26-2015 08:22 AM



Quick Reply: Baking Headlights w/ XPel



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:32 PM.