NB68

Wondering if anyone added this option when getting their clear Bra / Venture shield install.
Any pros/cons?
I have heard concerns about heat buildup and possible cracking.

My last car had similar style headlights and after many years it was clear they could have benefitted from this option.

RvdP

This is from the Bugman..

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/lightcover.html

Mike's LS3

I had both my fog lights and headlights covered with Venture Shield clear bra 6 months ago and put on 5000 miles, no issues at all. I also read that HID lights generate less heat than halogens.

dgrant3830

Mine was done when I first got it from the NCM. First stop was 746 miles away when the clear bra went on, including the headlamps. No problems at all, so far.

Convair580

YES, DO NOT USE THESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I did and after thery had been on a few weeks a dealer friend told me not to use them, as cracking is possible. By then it was toooo late, and I have small lines across the light lens on both sides.

There's no problem using the head lights, and they did not crack all the way through, but you can see the lines in the lenses.

If you have them on, please take them off now!!

AL

Zymurgy

I'm with Bugman, there have been many reports of fine cracks appearing in the lenses after lens protectors were installed. If you don't use the protectors and have a headlight damaged by a stone, your insurance will provide some relief towards replacement cost. On the other hand, if you install protectors and the lenses crack, you have no recourse. You'll be on your own to pay full replacement cost.

RicK T

Disclaimer: I don't have clear bra or anything else.

You definitely don't want any thick covering like Bugman refers to. But, many here have reported no problems using 3M Clear Bra or Venture Shield on the headlights. Thin is in.....or something like that.

Convair580

9C1

My inside source sent me an email, knowing I had a clear bra installed, and told me if I had the headlamps covered, take it off.
Of course, as I pointed out to him -- if a stone cracks them the waurantee isn't any good either. Talk about a rock and a hard place

Mike's LS3

Damned if you do and damned if you don't!

danl72

Yes, I heard about the lens cracking with the protectors on. I was told that some vendors stopped selling them because of that.

jimmie jam

mine have been on my car since 22 miles (feb. 07) with no issues. the lights on my DD CTS and on my avalanche have been on for about a year also with no issues. the key here is to use the 4 mil film. some guys put the heavy material on the lights and i think that this is where some issues may arise. my installer does 90% exotics that are priced at $200,000 and more and has never had an issue with film on lights. i'm not worried.

RogerHey

I have had Venture Shield covering mine now for a year and 11000 miles and have had no problems at all. They look as good as the day it was installed.

AmmoVet

Have had VS on mine since Oct 06 with no problems todate.
Mike

talon90

I have a 3M clear bra on my car and it has been there since the car was delivered in October of 2004. I would do it again in a heartbeat. If you have any problems and there is evidence of a protective film on the surface you will have problems with warranty work or replacement of your headlight lens. As has been indicated, if you have a impact from a foreign object and they crack warranty won't apply either. I'd rather have the film on and take my chances.

There are two things that have been cited on this forum regarding the film. The thickness of the film as it can retain heat from the lights and the percent of alcohol in solution that the installer uses to put the film on. Most of these films are a wet install. The best, safest method of installation is a 50 /50 mix of baby shampoo and water with limited alcohol content. The lens material is a hardcoated polycarbonate, (like a Lexan). The hardcoating is a treatment that is applied to the surface of the material. It can and will breakdown given the right circumstances. The "cracking" that people often refer to on the forum for the headlights is a condition that is possible in polycarbonate called crazing. This can be a series of cracks in the hardcoat that will cause a spiderweb patter to appear on the surface of the polycarbonate.

Texas_Venom

A thin film will not cause any problems with the lights. Some of the heavier films (17 mil) will obviously cause heat buildup up and could cause some fine lines to form. I have been installing LightGard by ClearMask for 4 years and have never had a car come back with any cracks... or any issues for that matter.

Thom Pettigrew
HTP AutoWorks

l8_apexer

don't do it. I sold and installed clear bras for 10 years-- EVERY polycarbonate headlight we ever put the clear protectors on ending up cracking. They cause the heat to be retained, which cracks the light. Not worth doing. That polycarbonite is pretty tought material as it is anyway. And the GM warranty won't replace the lens when it cracks, either.

BigSlick

I also have the clear bra with headlamps covered with no problems to date...

Alan V

Have clearbra (3M film) on entire front, headlights, side mirrors. No problems at all after almost two years.

MA ZO6

I have had the 3M clear bra on my headlights for two years and 8,000 miles and no problems.

John