So, I took my '14 C4S on its first long-distance trip this past weekend. The trip would be mostly freeway driving at speed, and knowing the road conditions in this part of the country, I decided that I wanted to protect the headlamps from damage from road debris, rocks, etc. I already have the front-end wrapped to protect the hood and bumper, but the big bug-eye lenses are very much un-protected. To protect the lights, I purchased XPel headlight protection vinyl film "kit" and installed.

The "kit" is comprised of R/L headlight and driving light pre-cut vinyl. I like to experiment, so I chose the "dark smoke" option, rather than clear. I received the kit and found installation to be straightforward. The vinyl is very thick, so you will need to heat it quite a bit to form it around the complex curves of the Porsche headlamp lens. I didn't have time to do a full DIY, but would be happy to explain in more detail if asked.

Overall each headlamp install took about an hour. Most of that total time was spent fine-tuning stretching and smoothing the vinyl to remove bubbles and lifting. Even so, I had some trouble with edge-lifting for a while after the install, and believe I could have done better job if I made sure there weren't any vinyl edges hanging over the edge of the lamp. If you look real closely at the following images, you'll see what I am referring to. Easily fixed tho with my heat gun and 80 degree sunny day!!

So, here is the final result! What do you think? Dark, huh?? Lots darker than I had in mind.


and


After living with this over the past 5 days, I have mixed feelings. Sometimes I like it, many times I feel it is a bit more over-the-top than I would typically go for. But judging from the number of smashed bugs and other marks around the vinyl surface after I returned from 6 hours driving, I am really glad I put them on before the trip! The Xpel vinyl is very thick. A really serious rock would have to hit this stuff to penetrate. I know I can remove the vinyl and will find spotless unmarked plastic underneath!

Some may tell me this is not legal.... well, I have to tell you that they are. The light emission from the Porsche lamps is diminished a bit, no doubt. But I tested in my garage and against a concrete wall the night I installed to check, and didn't see enough difference in output that I was worried. I did pass quite a few police cars and went through a sobriety check-point on my road trip, and got nothing in response (except some stares and a thumbs-up from one patrolman at the check-point!). I do think that on some cars the emission would be an issue, so don't hate at me if you get stopped or ticketed in your neck of the woods....

But, with all that said -- I am most likely going to re-do the vinyl in near future, with a lighter tint. I am going for black / silver contrasts on my car, but I feel these are a bit out of character. Full disclosure: I did this once before but didn't turn out so great.... I had purchased a set of lens protectors from SunCoast previously, which were lighter tint, but the vinyl had creases and other imperfections after I installed in cold weather so I pulled them off not long after install...). I definitely learned a lot during installation, and believe each time I do it I will become better and quality of the end-result will improve!

Cheers! Thanks for reading!

 

Not a big fan to be honest. When you look at the first pic, it is a bit like the headlights would have been removed. I also think we should use each and every bit of light output as long as there is no issue for other drivers on the road.
You did well to experiment, but the fact that "Sometimes (you) like it, many times (you) feel it is a bit more over-the-top" says enough. If you are not 100% convinced, you will always hear a little voice in the back of your head telling you should not have done it

 

I love the black headlight look. Prefer the factory OEM's though. Clear lenses, black inner housing. Look great!!!

 

I think it is a matter of aesthetic preference. I can see the draw but it looks a little over the top and I think it tends detracts from the looks instead of enhances..

As SM_ATL said it looks like the headlights have been removed and it kinda has that zombie with no eyes look...

But then again, I have the same issue with black wheels.. some like them but to me it looks like something missing.. So it's gonna be personal no matter..

 

Are you unhappy with your choice of black painted wheels? Would you have chosen a different wheel if you could do it all over?

 

The good news is that Xpel is available clear. Is the rest of your front end protected? (Xpel or other film)

 

Thanks, All!

First, let me say that my initial goal was to protect my headlights from damage on my road-trip, and NOT just to turn my headlights darker. To that point, I would say these Xpel vinyl covers work extremely well! So anyone considering them hopefully my experience will help you out. They come in two "colors": Clear, and Dark Smoke. Anyone not liking the absent eyes / zombie look should stick with the Clear. Installation is challenging for the novice, to say the least. You have to be comfortable with a heat gun, and working the vinyl over the complex shape of the "bubble." I am pretty good working with vinyl, and yet still have some tough spots that give me fits! I would say that if you are considering purchase of these covers, leave it to a pro if you aren't seriously into experimenting. It is very easy to mess it up and there goes your $60.

Second -- I too like a darker headlight look, and I will definitely have something darker than OEM clear. I like the OEM "Black" headlights, but that is a very high cost vs. tinting the glass. There are other color options available to consider -- on the suncoast site they list 5 different colors, including yellow, optic blue, light smoke, clear, etc. I've used a pair of the light smoke previously.

In the end, I'd still like to protect the plastic domes from damage, so stay tuned for more experimenting! (Regarding experimenting.... if you haven't noticed already, I wrapped the roof in matte black.... more on that later!)

 

Yes, I have the front-end wrapped in Xpel. Just the front half of the car though, and didn't have the headlamps done. Very happy with it so far.... only been 7 months though.

 

Not a fan either, Porsche headlights are one of the best looking features, why tried to hide them? To me it's like a girl with beautiful eyes, then she wears sunglasses to hide them. Doesn't make sense to me.

 

Xpel Ultimate on my 996TT for about 3 years. Perfect product, perfected installation, zero issues, 10 year warranty. Hopefully the next owner of this car will REALLY appreciate the $$ I spent. Even opted for new headlights at the same time. (5K )

 

The Porsche Black Headlights are beautiful, here are the blacks on my 991 cab, the Cayman right behind me has clear headlights.

 

I'm in the market for new headlights. I now have a rock chip on each headlight, and it bugs the crap outta me

 

Those black ones are sharp!

 

It pays to have the front of cars protected. Sucks cuz there is no alternative besides OE units but I will say that my headlights look FANTASTIC! If you get new ones - wrap them immediately.

 

Again, didn't post this thread to promote "black" headlights, but seeing as how this discussion turned, thought the following would help those trying to figure-out what OEM black headlights are...

Suncoast Parts Black Headlight Conversion kit.

And while I'm providing links to stuff: Suncoast Parts Headlight Film Kits for 991