A little cautionary tale about headlight masking

[Jake Royd]

We have just come back from a month in France.
The last time we went I used commercial aids to mask off the dipped beam.
Being clever , I recorded where they were positioned on the headlight.
This time , like many , I used black tape to block out the required area.
On each headlight I stuck on two short bits of Gorilla tape.
No problem you might think.
However when it became time to take the tape off , did it come off easily?
Yes it did.
But what did not come off was the adhesive underneath the tape.
This had etched it's way into the polycarbonate surface, maybe 0.1mm deep.
This meant I had to polish it all out and it took some time , it needed doing anyway since they had yellowed this year with UV.
It's an old van now , 2008.
Next time I'll use electricians tape

 

[DBK]

I bought some of the proper masking things from Eurolites, which are sort of teardrop shaped. Left them on for four years then last year thought I'd better change them having heard a few horror stories. The polycarbonate lens covers underneath were in perfect condition.

 

[VXman]

I just don't bother - can't remember the last time I drove in the dark in Europe. I'm on holiday and chilling - never drive late.

 

[PP Bear]

My lucas ones did exactly the same

 

[Two on Tour]

I just don't bother - can't remember the last time I drove in the dark in Europe. I'm on holiday and chilling - never drive late.

So you don't drive through tunnels or in the rain then, where lights on is a legal requirement ?

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[ivorantony]

I would ask the question how many foreign vehicles comply with our dip left regulations?
None that I have seen,

 

[ctc]

So you don't drive through tunnels or in the rain then, where lights on is a legal requirement ?

Do as the French do, ignore rules that don't suit.

 

[Jim]

I just don't bother

Nor me. I have a set with me, that I can fit in a moment or two, just in-case I have to travel at night. But otherwise, I don't bother, either.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

We don't drive late either - but we have driven several times through a storm etc and needed headlights on.

Interesting comment from OP - on our old van we had polycarbonate headlight protectors which had a masking area marked out, and I made masks from sticky backed plastic. Unfortunately the protectors don't fit securely on our new van, so I'd been thinking I'd probably get the beam bender type.

 

[Jake Royd]

Nor me. I have a set with me, that I can fit in a moment or two, just in-case I have to travel at night. But otherwise, I don't bother, either.

Yes , noticed a lot of vans over there didn't bother.

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[Two on Tour]

I would ask the question how many foreign vehicles comply with our dip left regulations?
None that I have seen,

They have flat beam headlamps on the continent, not the dip to the side as we have.

 

[Jim]

Yes , noticed a lot of vans over there didn't bother.

When I have used the blockers, carefully ensuring the placement is correct, I've found they either don't block the light spill much at all, or they make the lights as effective as candles in jam jars.

 

[Jake Royd]

When I have used the blockers, carefully ensuring the placement is correct, I've found they either don't block the light spill much at all, or they make the lights as effective as candles in jam jars.

Yes , on another trip from Santander to Portsmouth our van was outside on the deck.
On arrival I washed as much off as I could given the 15mins between access and unloading.
How I made my way to Marina Keep I'll never know.
I now have nightbreakers which I admit we're pretty good this time (X250)

 

[MisterB]

The residue though from previously using electricians tape, demonstrates that my beam benders must have fallen off, honestly Monsieur Gendarme....

 

[Jake Royd]

The residue though from previously using electricians tape, demonstrates that my beam benders must have fallen off, honestly Monsieur Gendarme....

Good plan.

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[TheMachMan]

Bought a pair of headlamp protectors with the masking area on them. Driven through lots of tunnels and wet weather so certainly needed them. Don’t want to be dazzling on coming drivers particularly in those long narrow tunnels in Italy!

 

[pagey]

I stuck eurolites on 7 years ago and they are still there,it's gone through 4 mot,s with no bother

 

[gus-lopez]

I would ask the question how many foreign vehicles comply with our dip left regulations?
None that I have seen,

As said post #11, ours do not dip to the right.just up and down.

 

[Guigsy]

I think part of the issue is they get pretty hot. The adhesive bakes on and attacks the plastic.

The other issue is that once you've polished the polycarbonate, you've taken off the protective coating. So it yellows, spiders webs and gets marked more easily next time. Some of the headlight polishing kits come with a resealler... not sure if it works. But I used a polishing kit on my previous 2007, then I put Eurolites on for 6 months while we travelled Europe (in 2019). They came straight off with very little marking.

 

[Just smiffy]

In over 30 thousand miles in Europe I’ve never been flashed when I’ve had my lights on…

I don’t use em… or any other sticker…

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[Simon Meadwell]

We have tiny circular headlamps with no markings god knows where you would position the stickers so don’t bother.

 

[Lenny HB]

I bought some of the proper masking things from Eurolites, which are sort of teardrop shaped. Left them on for four years then last year thought I'd better change them having heard a few horror stories. The polycarbonate lens covers underneath were in perfect condition.

You was lucky, Eurolites should only be left on for a few weeks. I used to sell them, lots of people left them on too long and had problems.

 

[Reallyretired]

We have tiny circular headlamps with no markings god knows where you would position the stickers so don’t bother.

Had those on my last motorhome, luckily they are so pathetic you can't dazzle anyone.

 

[Fragle]

In over 30 thousand miles in Europe I’ve never been flashed when I’ve had my lights on…

I don’t use em… or any other sticker…

Same here. I did buy some but decided on this new VW Crafter not to fit them. Impossible to find the correct position anyway and like you say never had anyone flash to indicate a problem. Saying that we don't drive at night really. They now reside in the cupboard next to the angles mort sticker

 

[Barclaybasher]

Buy an older van with real glass headlights ......and still don't bother

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[meanders]

On each headlight I stuck on two short bits of Gorilla tape.

The stuff created by the devil. Always leaves a residue, will pull tufts out of carpeted floors, and take paint off woodwork. Get proper gaffer tape from someone like CPC. If you are paying under a £10 a roll it's not the proper stuff.

That said, we have clip on polycarbonate covers with the areas masked out. They work well and take 2-3 minutes to fit or remove.

 

[HKF]

They have flat beam headlamps on the continent, not the dip to the side as we have.

This is true, as we were very pleased to find out with our Opel Zafira

 

[Fdhadi]

Never seen beambenders on uk lorries going to Europe.

 

[Shrimp]

Hymer headlights can be adjusted, so we don’t need sticky bits!

 

[stevewagner]

I just don't bother - can't remember the last time I drove in the dark in Europe. I'm on holiday and chilling - never drive late.

What about motorway driving in the rain during the day when you have to have them on?

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