Hymer teardrop headlight protectors

[Gerry77]

I have an Exsis 2014 with teardrop headlights and wonder if anyone has made their own protectors instead of paying £80 for a ready made pair. I believe they are made from 3mm polycarbonate which costs less than £30.
Anyone tried to do this please?

 

[Hettie's Crew]

I’m all for a bit of DIY and saving a bit but in view of the cost to replace one of these headlights I’d rather pay the £80 if they are up to the job. I went for the Lamin-X option myself several years ago and it’s still in place. I think the Polycarbonate ones fit on with suction pads, unless I’m wrong, that can fall off.
Should be simple enough to make a pair DIY though.

 

[Gerry77]

That’s what I thought but wondered if it was that easy.
I may consider Lamin X , will investigate that option first.

 

[Figaro]

I'm sure someone on here was making them for others a few years ago, I just can't remember who it was

I'm sure someone will be a long soon to advise

 

[DavidG58]

I bought a pair and lost one first trip out IMO the suckers aren’t up to the job considering there is a gap for wind to get into

We lost two headlights due to broken glasses early on, then fitted LaminX about 8 years ago, all good since and even I found it easy to cut to shape

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[Hettie's Crew]

That’s what I thought but wondered if it was that easy.
I may consider Lamin X , will investigate that option first.

I fitted it around 2018 ish and I’m surprised it’s still clear, there’s a few marks evident that look like possible stone strikes. It’s never even pealed at the edges, staying put and no shrinking.
I bought it direct from the USA as I couldn’t find any in the UK at the time, except pre cut specific car model shapes from a motor sport company. In sheets it comes in different thicknesses that are measured in an unusual way, I think I chose the equivalent of about >1mm. It wasn’t a cheap solution but has proved it’s worth.
I remember having to buy more than I’d like to completely cover the whole light and therefore having some waste.

 

[Kim H]

Another Lamin-X user here, been on our van about 8 years. Easy to cut and fit.

 

[cliffanger]

Another vote for Lamin-X.

 

[Lenny HB]

When we had a 2014 Exsis I made a pair from 2mm polycarbonate. Borrowed a band saw from my neighbour to cut them.
As well as the suckers I put an extra couple of holes in them to fix a cord around the back of the lights in case the suckers failed.

 

[Gerry77]

Still interested in the size/quality of the suckers. Some have chosen to fit more suckers but slightly smaller ie 40mm and fitting more. I think the tie at top/bottom is a safety belt a la Lenny HB is an easy addition.
So anyone feedback please?

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[AJM2]

I’ve tried to find the details of the stick on ones I bought and put on the Hymer when I first acquired it, but unfortunately I can’t. What I would say is don’t spend ages thinking about which option to go for. Even £80 is a good investment compared to the cost of replacing the teardrop headlight. Mine have been brilliant, I’m sure they’ve had minor hits a few times, still as clear at the day they were put on and you wouldn’t be able to spot they weren’t just the original headlight.

 

[Detnor]

Been a while since I fitted the polycarbonate protectors, I was advised to clean the glass then smear a bit of petroleum jelly around the edge of each of the suckers and stick them on the headlights. Seemed to work for me.

 

[Bill-H]

I made some for those headlights, polycarbonate off ebay and the same for the suckers. Easy to cut with a fine toothed jigsaw. I gently warmed them over a gas ning and bent them to the headlight curve. I also added a 2mm hole at top and bottom corner and theaded a small cable tie around the glass corners of the headlight to add extra security to the suckers.
The ones I've seen sold come flat and as the headlights have quite a curve, I wasn't happy with extra strain on the suckers as the polycarbonate tries to spring back to flat.

 

[Gerry77]

I made some for those headlights, polycarbonate off ebay and the same for the suckers. Easy to cut with a fine toothed jigsaw. I gently warmed them over a gas ning and bent them to the headlight curve. I also added a 2mm hole at top and bottom corner and theaded a small cable tie around the glass corners of the headlight to add extra security to the suckers.
The ones I've seen sold come flat and as the headlights have quite a curve, I wasn't happy with extra strain on the suckers as the polycarbonate tries to spring back to flat.

Luckily we have an Aga so putting a slight bend in the polycarbonate shouldn’t be a problem, good tip though!

 

[Bill-H]

Luckily we have an Aga so putting a slight bend in the polycarbonate shouldn’t be a problem, good tip though!

Oh! I also put 6 suckers on rather than the four I've seen on commercially made ones - there's room to fit 6 without obscuring any of the lights,
They're easy enough to take off to clean the glass and back of the polycarbonate.

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