Stongard Light Proection?

[twitch]

Has anyone else put Stongard light protection on their WRX buglights & noticed that a bunch of little minature cracks forming on the inside (adhesive side) of the 3M material . The top surface is still smooth though. I installed mine about 5 months ago. I don't think it is affecting the amount of light getting though yet & it really isn't noticable unless you are about 4 feet away. I'm just concerned that it is a sign of things to come.

v/r

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[DAC17]

Haven't noticed anything on my WRX yet, but I've used StonGard on my last several cars (had them up to three years) and never noticed any problems like that.

[gtguy]

Originally posted by twitch
Has anyone else put Stongard light protection on their WRX buglights & noticed that a bunch of little minature cracks forming on the inside (adhesive side) of the 3M material . The top surface is still smooth though. I installed mine about 5 months ago. I don't think it is affecting the amount of light getting though yet & it really isn't noticable unless you are about 4 feet away. I'm just concerned that it is a sign of things to come.

v/r

There was some talk that the cracking was due to either improper preparation of the plastic lenses before installation, or from the simple fact that heat builds up, and the Stongard coating leaves nowhere for the heat to go, so you get that crazing that you're seeing, which is really cool on an old Telecaster, but not so cool on headlights.

Kevin

[twitch]

exactly. Cleaned the surface well. Applied it in the center first & worked out. Used a heat gun in the manner described in instructions. It looked great for about 3 months & then voila.

You're are probably right about the heat building up. Thanks.

[2.0 guy]

There was some issue with this on the S2000s with StonGuard. you might want to try searching on www.s2000online.com

Originally posted by twitch
exactly. Cleaned the surface well. Applied it in the center first & worked out. Used a heat gun in the manner described in instructions. It looked great for about 3 months & then voila.

You're are probably right about the heat building up. Thanks.

[twitch]

Thanks for the link tip...

http://www.s2ki.com/search/?SearchText=stongard+lights

I checked out the S2K page & it looks like some folks were having "crazed" headlight problems...small cracks forming on the lenses under the Stongard. It also looks like the Stongard CEO hopped on their group & quickly blamed everyone & absolved himself of any responsibility.

I'm not sure what to do now.

-Looks like Stongard will tell me to shag off
-I could just leave them (it isn't too noticable)
-I could remove the Stongard & see if it is the lenses or the Stongard
-I could claim ignorance & see what SOA says (might be amusing)
-I could replce them with some full-up aftermarket ones (suggestions?)

Thoughts?

[2.0 guy]

Glad to be of some help. I recall that thread back when I owned my S2000. I didn't have the Stoneguard stuff (or any stuff for that matter). But when I got the WRX, I thought twice about using any film on my headlights. From what I had heard, the alcohol mix used for activating the adhesive on the film isn't exactly the best stuff to come in contact with the plastic of the lights.

That said, I have XPEL on my fog lights and on my UK300s (both are glass) and have had no problems...

I've seen people use XPEL on the plastic OEM headlights with no problem either, so I am not sure if its really the alcohol or some other issue...

I guess you could always see this as an excuse for some UK300s, Morettes, or even some STi lights. Of course, the STi lights put you back in the same predicament with the plastic lens cover...

Originally posted by twitch
Thanks for the link tip...

http://www.s2ki.com/search/?SearchText=stongard+lights

I checked out the S2K page & it looks like some folks were having "crazed" headlight problems...small cracks forming on the lenses under the Stongard. It also looks like the Stongard CEO hopped on their group & quickly blamed everyone & absolved himself of any responsibility.

I'm not sure what to do now.

-Looks like Stongard will tell me to shag off
-I could just leave them (it isn't too noticable)
-I could remove the Stongard & see if it is the lenses or the Stongard
-I could claim ignorance & see what SOA says (might be amusing)
-I could replce them with some full-up aftermarket ones (suggestions?)

Thoughts?

[michaelwrx]

Why dont you just buy the Subaru plastic headlight and foglight covers. They sell em here in Australia.

Headlight covers approx AUD$40 = USD$20
Foglight covers AUD$20 = USD$10

Are they an accessory over there?

MichaelWRX

[twitch]

Those sound like a good deal. I've never seen them here. Doesn't mean they aren't here in the US...just that I haven't seen them. I did do some searching for various things for my lights & StonGard kept coming back as the logical choice (& future excuse to get some cool JDM lights).

[michaelwrx]

Originally posted by twitch
Those sound like a good deal. I've never seen them here. Doesn't mean they aren't here in the US...just that I haven't seen them. I did do some searching for various things for my lights & StonGard kept coming back as the logical choice (& future excuse to get some cool JDM lights).

I will takes some pics of them tonite and post them later....

PS. We also have a clear plastic bonnet guard that runs along the front of the bonnet to protect from stone chips etc. I will take some pics of that too.

PPS. Just found that:

http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=176

sells the headlight/foglight protectors (no pic though)


Here are some pics I found.


Cheers

[michaelwrx]

1st pic

[michaelwrx]

2nd pic

[TaiChih]

My opinion of stongard on plastic is bad news, because it seems like the adhesive sheet will expand and contract in the heat, and the plastic cannot handle that stress from the adhesive therefore, causing tiny microcracks in your plastic. I've had acrylic drinking cups get those cracks,when I put them in the dishwasher(heat/cold). It'll probably get worse, the longer you have it on.

[Rebellion]

Originally posted by 2.0 guy
Glad to be of some help. I recall that thread back when I owned my S2000. I didn't have the Stoneguard stuff (or any stuff for that matter). But when I got the WRX, I thought twice about using any film on my headlights. From what I had heard, the alcohol mix used for activating the adhesive on the film isn't exactly the best stuff to come in contact with the plastic of the lights.

That said, I have XPEL on my fog lights and on my UK300s (both are glass) and have had no problems...

I've seen people use XPEL on the plastic OEM headlights with no problem either, so I am not sure if its really the alcohol or some other issue...

I guess you could always see this as an excuse for some UK300s, Morettes, or even some STi lights. Of course, the STi lights put you back in the same predicament with the plastic lens cover...

Xpel is the same thing as Stongard...

3M = Stongard = Xpel... they're all the same.

I'm going to say that it's an installation problem... but I'd say it's probably due to incorrect instructions. I'd bet that Stongard's instructions for preparation are not correct for installing on certain types of plastic. If you would have had it professionally installed I'd have to say blame the installer... but you installed it.

[-=Ph/\t WRX=-]

MAN I WANT THOSE HEADLIGHT PROTECTION!!! Where can I get them?? I don't want to put X-Pel or Stongard on my headlights. My first set of headlights got those spiderweb cracks on it with Stongard. I think X-Pel is a bit better because it isn't as thick as Stongard, half the thickness. Someone get a hold of these headlight proctection from Subaru Aus!

Originally posted by michaelwrx
1st pic

[TaiChih]

time for Mcdade to chime in here.

[-=Ph/\t WRX=-]

Emailed him, just waiting for a reply. Where are you McDade!?!?!?

[michaelwrx]

Originally posted by -=Ph/\t WRX=-
MAN I WANT THOSE HEADLIGHT PROTECTION!!! Where can I get them?? I don't want to put X-Pel or Stongard on my headlights. My first set of headlights got those spiderweb cracks on it with Stongard. I think X-Pel is a bit better because it isn't as thick as Stongard, half the thickness. Someone get a hold of these headlight proctection from Subaru Aus!

As I said, we can get them here is Aus. If you refer to my link above I think you might even be able to get them in the US.

The pics were from the UK website.

I reckon the AUD cost of the two would be $40 headlights + $25 for foglamps = $65 AUD = USD$35 (excluding shipping)

MichaelWRX

[-=Ph/\t WRX=-]

I checked out that link, but it seems like it is the same thing as stongard and xpel.

[michaelwrx]

Originally posted by -=Ph/\t WRX=-
I checked out that link, but it seems like it is the same thing as stongard and xpel.

Right. Maybe I need to go into business shipping these things to you guys

[-=Ph/\t WRX=-]

Yes you should. I will buy them from you if you can!

[michaelwrx]

Originally posted by michaelwrx


Right. Maybe I need to go into business shipping these things to you guys

Just checked the Subaru Aust website and these are the prices. When I bought my accessories they were cheaper than these recommended prices.

Headlights $64.31
Foglamps $47.38

Total USD approx $60

Just so I dont mislead anyone with my earlier price estimates

[-=Ph/\t WRX=-]

What is the url for the Subaru Aus website?

[michaelwrx]

Originally posted by -=Ph/\t WRX=-
What is the url for the Subaru Aus website?

Subaru.com.au

[michaelwrx]

Originally posted by -=Ph/\t WRX=-
Yes you should. I will buy them from you if you can!

Depends on what you are prepared to pay for them given the recommended prices mentioned.