I had remembered reading a thread where someone had lamin-x or a comparable coating on their fog lamp, and then the lamp cracked. It was undetermined whether the lamin-x had caused the cracking but subaru had told the person that they would not warranty the lamp because the lamin-x film holds in higher heat to the lamp and caused it to crack as a result of additional thermal dissipation problems.

Has anyone had a problem similar to this, because I'm considering picking up the yellow film for my fogs and wanted to check with everyone on here to get some feedback.

I'd like to hear the following:
1) How long have you had it on for, and do you usually drive with the fogs on?
2) Have you had any problems with it, from bubbling to cracking a light's lense?
3) Does the yellow help at all in inclement weather on the factory fogs, even when the headlights are not lamin-x coated?

I've used Xpel (similar product) on glass headlights for years, both on my WRX and a previous car. Never had any issues. It is true that the film may reduce the heat dissipation of the light, but as long as you use only stock wattage bulbs there should not be any problem. I would not recommend using high-wattage bulbs in housings with a film applied as there could very well be a chance of the glass cracking or at least shortened bulb life (and the high-watt bulbs don't last long to begin with). It also depends on what thickness the film is, there are different thicknesses available.
For poor-weather visibility yellow light is better, but when you accomplish this by using a colored film you're also reducing the light output by filtering it. Yellow bulbs in clear fogs may be a better way to go. I just installed a set of Narva Golds in my fogs, they are well-rated but I have yet to try them out in truly poor conditions.
And, I also have Xpel on my fogs and haven't experienced any problems although I do not regularly drive with them on, only when the weather calls for it. The film looks just as good now as when first applied to the lights over a year ago, in fact you can't tell it's there unless I point it out.

I echo most of what Mulder said, but fwiw, here are 2 more positive data for you. My recollection on cracking lens is more on the Morettes, where the lens protection is directly mounted on the smaller ( and closer to the bulbs) low and high beam lenses. Imho, using 3M Scotchgard type cover on units that have a relatively small lens surface area, or higher wattage bulbs could increase the chance of uneven heat dissipation on the lens surface, thereby increasing the chance of lens damage.
1) How long have you had it on for, and do you usually drive with the fogs on?
MY2002 GDA: x-pel 40mil clear headlight & foglight lens protection (via www.weathertech.com), + yellow tint on top of the foglight lens cover. Used only on backroads & inclement weather (usu. longer than 30min).
MY2003 SG: x-pel 40 mil clear headlight & lamin-x yellow foglight lens protection. Used only on backroads & inclement weather (usu. longer than 30min).
2) Have you had any problems with it, from bubbling to cracking a light's lense?
MY2002 GDA: 3 years w/o problems on oem bulbs.
MY2003 SG: 2 years w/o problems on oem bulbs.
3) Does the yellow help at all in inclement weather on the factory fogs, even when the headlights are not lamin-x coated?
Imho, yes, although there is still a certain amount of glow in very dense fog, caused by the low beam (I experimented by covering the low beams and notice a difference in road visibility using the yellow tinted fogs only). Properly aimed, it is amazing how much yellow light cuts through dense fog and lights up objects on the road ahead and on the sides. Longer wavelength like red would likely be even better, but that would not be legal.

FWIW I've had Xpel on my Morettes since day one, and it's been about 2-1/2 years now. No cracks or bubbles and it's definitely saved them from damage at least a few times.

I have been using the Lamin-x 17 mil (which we sell btw :)) for a year now on a WRX and never had any problems or heard anyone complain about them causing their lights to break.

I also carry the StonGard 80 mil and havent had any problems in the last 5 years with that either. I probably have sold over 2000 sets of these at least.

The reason why the dealer didnt want to replace it was they saw aftermarket parts and used that not to replace them. Kind of a wussy excuse, but they willl do anything not to pay out.

The film should not effect the heat output of the lense with factory OEM. Honestly the light probably took a hit and that is waht caused it to crack. These films are designed to withstand up to 200 degrees before they start to break down or cause problems. Factory fogs for the Subaru's do not put out that much heat. If you change your bulbs or use aftermarket bulbs that could cause a problem.

Hopefully that helps some.

Chad

I used Lamin-X yellow film on my Forester XT's fog lights. The car was in an accident in which the fog light was struck nearly directly, The lense came out completely intact, this was after it hit the ground too.
If someone has a broken light, the only thing I can equate it to would be moisture inside the fixture and bulbs that are too hot causing some serious pressure in the casings.