I was reading an old (but very, very long) thread on the guy who's headlights were damaged due to Stongard. Well, I don't want to create another "runaway train" type of thread. But after I read that thread, I went home and checked the stongard on my headlights. There are lots of bubbles and lines on it. But they don't look like "cracks". Is there a picture of what happened to that guy's headlights so I can compare and make sure there's nothing wrong with mine. I am thinking that my install just sucked, that's why there are bubbles, streaks, etc. But want to make sure.

 

POST WHORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bubbles should go away for the most part with time, however there will always be little bubbles .. they should just be hard to see.

 

I've seen a local S2k with the same STONGARD headlight problem. It's fairly obvious that the cracks are in the plastic headlight lens and are not bubbles/streaks associated with the install. We allegedly think that the STONGARD headlight kit expands/contracts due to temperature changes which caused enough stress on the plasic headlight lens to form many small hairline cracks. This S2k just had both headlights replaced a few days before the install too. They were in immaculate condition prior to the install.

 

...why, thank you


Anyway, I think I'm going to just take them off. Although the last guy I read about was supposedly one of those on in a million cases, I don't want to take any chances. Those headlights are damn expensive. Is there a proper method for removing them?

 

Redleader,

Contact SCS2K for pictures. It looks like all of the old photo links are dead. His lights had fine cracks all over the cover.

In my experience, the worst parts about StonGard:
1) Everyone notices it within a few seconds in daylight. The edge isn't hard to see, even if the car is perfectly clean. At night, it's tough to see. Notice how most of the publicity photos always show the car at the same angle? Straight on, from below hood level? Any other angle shows the film. If you have a white car, forget it: it looks like sh*t.

2) You will end up with raised edges, which expose glue and immediately turn brown with dirt. You will probably have to have the installer return to cut off the raised sections.

3) You will get raised puckers on your mirrors and wheel wells. This is caused by the shape of the kit not matching the radius of the curves, and it is nearly impossible to stretch the film perfectly. Again, this exposes the glue, which turns black with dirt. The installer can cut those off, too.

4) You will have a series of stretch lines in the film, across the front of nose. The film has to be stretched 4-5 inches across this area, leaving ugly marks which look like the area has been scratched or keyed.

Pictures are available upon request. Yes, the local installer is "nationally known", "has one of the best reputations", "works on Ferraris and Porsches", etc., etc., just like the installer who promises to do a perfect job on your car.

The only good thing is that it does protect the car. You may get ugly marks gouged into the film, but they don't damage the paint.

 

Tanqueray,

you are dead on correct with all four of your observations. In fact, the stongard kit on my car right now exhibits those four observations to a tee. I was disappointed at first and kind of let down. But I try to look at the kit for what its for, protection and protection only. I guess I'm sacrificing looks for protection. I was going to goe with a bra, but that's even uglier.

On the headlights. I am worried they will damage the headlights. There doesn't appear to be damage now, just streaks, patches and air bubbles from a substandard install job. I don't want to take the chance of the light breaking so I might just take them off. Just trying to figure out whats the best way to do it without damaging the lights or scratching them.

 

You can do a search for removal information. The Stongard dealers on the board recommended using a hair dryer to heat the plastic, then just peeling it off, if I remember correctly. I don't know if it leaves residue behind, but be careful of what cleaners you use on the lights.

Tanq