Evora Headlights / Headlamps

[exeterjeep]

Anyone tried these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fits-Lotus-Evora-2009-Headlights-CLEAR-Stone-Chip-Guard-Protection-Films-Foils/132154013122?fits=Model%3AEvora&hash=item1ec4fe35c2:g:NF8AAOSwY~1aGDDO

[Bibs]

@trcm

 

[trcm]

Perfect, thanks! 🙏 

[Whitey]

59 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

Anyone tried these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fits-Lotus-Evora-2009-Headlights-CLEAR-Stone-Chip-Guard-Protection-Films-Foils/132154013122?fits=Model%3AEvora&hash=item1ec4fe35c2:g:NF8AAOSwY~1aGDDO

Not yet, but have just msg seller to see if they also protect from UV rays

@Tom  - you will probably find that the rear headlight mounting support plates are quite rusty esp where the wheel arch liners are next to them. I have taken both of mine off and refurbed them - ie wire brushed, rubbed down, primer and paint. The Lotus paint was extremely thin and no evidence of primer!

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by Whitey

[JimH]

1 hour ago, exeterjeep said:

Anyone tried these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fits-Lotus-Evora-2009-Headlights-CLEAR-Stone-Chip-Guard-Protection-Films-Foils/132154013122?fits=Model%3AEvora&hash=item1ec4fe35c2:g:NF8AAOSwY~1aGDDO

Watching/interested if they’re any good.....

[cdco]

4 hours ago, Whitey said:

That's a great price for the 2 - I guess he did them in situ?

I have just done 1 headlight where the lacquer had peeled, but I removed the light and then went down through the wet n dry paper grades down to 5000 and then a friend buffed them up with a cutting polish. I will go the UV PPF route, probably diy, so interested how you get on and which PPF you use and cost.

Yes done in situ as you've described, also discovered that ones a bit wobbly so I'll need to check the brackets and address that.

[Daveb99]

4 hours ago, exeterjeep said:

Anyone tried these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fits-Lotus-Evora-2009-Headlights-CLEAR-Stone-Chip-Guard-Protection-Films-Foils/132154013122?fits=Model%3AEvora&hash=item1ec4fe35c2:g:NF8AAOSwY~1aGDDO

I've bought some other stone guard films from them for my Elise, and the quality is good.

[Cdm2018]

I bought the gt430 sill guard from the eBay seller some 2 years ago and it’s still intact & did nice job 

so I would guess their headlight protection must be decent ? 
I like to sort my headlights as they have the misting peeling but might look at doing it when I get car detailed ? Just looking around for a well respected reasonable car detail company in my area 

[Whitey]

Reply from ebay seller:

New message from: nickaliath (4,978)

Hello Steve, The manufacturer states it as having 'excellent UV resistance'. Thanks Nick

 

[exeterjeep]

3 minutes ago, Whitey said:

Reply from ebay seller:

New message from: nickaliath (4,978)

Hello Steve, The manufacturer states it as having 'excellent UV resistance'. Thanks Nick

 

Interesting, I assume that these are non genuine lotus as they are reasonably priced.

[Daveb99]

8 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

Interesting, I assume that these are non genuine lotus as they are reasonably priced.

Yes, I suspect you can’t buy them from Lotus anyway.

[exeterjeep]

32 minutes ago, Daveb99 said:

Yes, I suspect you can’t buy them from Lotus anyway.

Can't find them on DeRoure unless looking in the wrong section.

[cdco]

I've had this from Aliath as well "

The manufacturer of the clear film states it as having 'Excellent UV resistance'." So I'll probably go with those and apply the nano surface coating the headlight refurbisher supplied over the top every 6 months or so

 

[mik]

My car is in a dim garage when not being driven, so thankfully my headlights are still good. I’d like to keep them that way though, so have bought a set of those clear-film guards. Thanks for the link 😎

Assume application is as-per normal glass films? (Ie spray lights, fit, squeegee out water & bubbles, celebrate with beer).

[exeterjeep]

14 minutes ago, mik said:

so have bought a set of those clear-film guards

Will you let us know your views on these when you have them and fitted.

[mik]

Absolutely. 🙂

I have fitted frosted film to glass in houses several time, so hopefully this is the same fitting concept.... then I will be happy to DIY.

If this can address they peeling issue, hopefully more folks would be interested in better bulbs : I think I am still the only owner who has done this and since I expect you all like to see at night - assume there is some nervousness around better bulbs accelerating the peeling issue (?). It hasn’t on mine btw.

[JimH]

I've ordered a set too - my headlights have already been refurbished, so I'd like to keep them that way. They're probably some of the last with the "Lotus" logos inside too?  Given the replacement cost, a bit of extra stone protection is probably a good idea as well. Just checked out his website - he does the 410-style black shark fins too, as well as many other bits...

https://www.aliath.co.uk/search?q=evora

Edited February 16, 2021 by JimH
Typo

[cdco]

3 hours ago, JimH said:

I've ordered a set too - my headlights have already been refurbished, so I'd like to keep them that way. They're probably some of the last with the "Lotus" logos inside too?  Given the replacement cost, a bit of extra stone protection is probably a good idea as well. Just checked out his website - he does the 410-style black shark fins too, as well as many other bits...

https://www.aliath.co.uk/search?q=evora

They've had a good day , I've ordered to with the plan to fit and then as I said go over with the UV nano coat as a belt and braces approach.

 

C

[JimH]

I put mine on yesterday - fairly easy/painless as the weather was quite warm (15 or 16 degrees C in Norwich!) and dry. Helpful to have an extra pair of hands when peeling from the carrier sheet and I fitted wet as per the instructions. Not a bubble in sight, and all but invisible once on....

[Reindeer]

Jim any chance of some pictures?

Do they go all the way to the edges?

Were your headlights still shiney or slightly dull before application?

Thank you

[JimH]

Just started a new job so might be a while before I get to take pics in the daylight, but they sit around 3-5mm in from where the curved edges of the headlights start. You get small pieces for the headlight washer covers too. Mine had already been refurbished so were as new - I was more interested in preserving the finish and the stone protection offered, given the price of replacement units....

[mik]

Did mine today.

Instructions provided are very good. I have a good spray bottle that I filled with water and a splish of fairy liquid.

instructions also cover “proper” PPF application so a professional squeegee is necessary. I don’t have one of them so used my professional credit card. AA membership card to be exact. Other cards are available. 😉

My lights are in great condition. No issues with the black areas, or sections going misty. A few small stone chips in the surface is it. 

Essential that everything is clean before you start.

Wiped lights clean.

Clay bar on lights.

Cleaned with IPA to remove any traces of grease/wax.

Did that breathy thing you do to clean glasses and polished them off with a dry microfibre cloth.

Ready for the film. One side at a time. Hard to see on a white car. Coming straight out of the tube the films were trying to roll up - some heat with the hairdryer whilst rested on the bonnet allowed them to flatten.

So in this process - your water/washing up liquid mix is absolutely your friend. The whole concept is that you “float” the film on a thin layer of water above your lights. Take time to position it (moves very easily) then squeegee the water out to leave the film where you want it.

Spray liberally on lights. Peel The film off the backing (try to minimise contact with the adhesive side of the film and try not to bend it). 
 

Spray the adhesive side of the film liberally also. You really can’t overdo the water!

Place the film on the lights and position it.

When you are ready to squeegee - spray the top surface of the film liberally too - you want your professional squeegee to slide over the surface without sticking.

Film placed.

and following a bit of squeegee action.

 

They won’t rest perfectly when you put them on. Don’t panic. As you squeegee and the adhesive starts to set - they will flatten properly. If you feel you need to lift the film to reposition it - lift and spray again between lights and film so it can float again and allow easy movement. Don’t use more pressure than you have to - you’re just trying to expel the water. 

Dried them off. Used a microfibre to help me push a few tiny bubbles out from the washer covers after I took these pics. Fit is good enough for me. Finished off with a hairdryer on gentle heat just to help everything set. Will out a coat of wax on them later.

The finish is far more “orange peel” than it was, but hopefully the protection they bring will offset that negative.

[exeterjeep]

8 minutes ago, mik said:

Did mine today.

Instructions provided are very good. I have a good spray bottle that I filled with water and a splish of fairy liquid.

Great write up - will be useful to all those other forum members who have ordered these off ebay.

[JimH]

On 23/02/2021 at 21:39, JimH said:

Just started a new job so might be a while before I get to take pics in the daylight, but they sit around 3-5mm in from where the curved edges of the headlights start. You get small pieces for the headlight washer covers too. Mine had already been refurbished so were as new - I was more interested in preserving the finish and the stone protection offered, given the price of replacement units....

Mine look exactly the same as mik's, so no need to worry about more photos now! 😀

[Reindeer]

Thank you guys..really helpful stuff.

Mik.....don't suppose you're anywhere near Hertfordshire and want to do mine for some beer money?...