My opinion on Genos headlight protection film

[JensenC]

I tried installing Genos headlight protection this afternoon. The product consists of thick plastic film cut for the headlights and foglights. All I can say is get a professional to install it or save your money. I found it nearly impossible to not touch the adhesive backing during installation, which results in finger prints that cloud the film. The 3rd gen headlights have a lot of curves to them, which makes installation of the thick plastic film very difficult. You have to pickup and reapply the film many times to make sure that it is properly aligned on the headlight, which causes the adhesive to distort and not stick as well. I finally gave up after ruining one of the headlight covers. Unless you have worked with this type of product a lot, don't try it yourself! The foglight film covers went on easier, but they are still lifting at the edges, which I am not happy about. You can see marks from the adhesive through the film, so I'm not sure whats going to happen to the light pattern.

I wished Genos sold just the foglight guards since those are the lenses that are most likely to get broken from rocks.

For $35, I'm pretty disappointed. It is really hard to install this product and get decent results. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[Regcabguy]

I installed those on my 99 when it was new and it went pretty slick. My lens covers are still clear to this day. Looking at the '06 lenses I see a nightmare. You'd want the protection the 3M plastic affords but installing it is a one time deal best left to a professional.

 

[JWChessell]

The problem with a "professional" is ... that while the actual business may be around for several -- even many -- years, their installers/employees change weekly. In some cases it's "Twice as expensive, half as competent" as you might be able to do it yourself.

 

[Bow66tie]

I got a set for Christmas but haven't put them on due to the weather. Any suggestions on who to contact that might be a "Professional?" (Dealer or local performance shop?)



Michael

 

[AMink]

You might try a local body/paint shop. Somewhere that installs invisible bras should do it. If they botch it, at least you may have some recourse.

 

[RWoody]

You might try spraying soapy water on the adhesive side and on the headlight so you can stick it on once and align it. Then use a squigie to remove the water that is underneath the film. I would wait til it was a little warmer outside to use this method. That is what they use to put tint on windows. Just a thought.

 

[DJennings]

I got a set for Christmas but haven't put them on due to the weather. Any suggestions on who to contact that might be a "Professional?" (Dealer or local performance shop?)



Michael

Take them to a sign business. Locally we have a "Signs by Tomorrow" that could do them. They install decals and the new vehicle wraps for fleet vehicles. They would be your best bet for a pro install.



For the do-it-yourselfer, the key to installing them is:



Do exactly what RWoody said!



It needs to be warm when you do it. You can also make sure that the edges dry and set in with a hair dryer or heat gun. The decals also become more conforming/pliable when heated before they are apllied.

 

[TowPro]

soapy water is how they put those large decals on the side of cars/trucks/vans as well. I read it in the Assembly line directions for GM once. (I used to work for a company that helped write the electronic manuals for GM, Chry, Honda, toyoto, Etc. and we had access to all the asembly line stuff)

 

[alexanderJ]

Does anyone sell the film protectors for just the foglights? Also, are there any other style of foglight protectors such as mesh wire?

 

[NavyDood]

Wouldn't setting them out in the sun prior to trying to install them help the process?

 

[coobie]

Does anyone sell the film protectors for just the foglights? Also, are there any other style of foglight protectors such as mesh wire?

Stonegurad products,they are a 3m product that come preformed to fit right over your fog lights. They sell for about $19. 95 a set. There PH# is 1-800-350-4897,coobie

 

[Slow Six]

I just installed a set of screened covers from Cloudrider. They will be very effective in preventing breakage.

 

[coobie]

I just installed a set of screened covers from Cloudrider. They will be very effective in preventing breakage.

I just went to the cloud rider web-site those are very nice looking foglight covers,$56 bucks american money. I guess they would be worth it since the foglights are $117 bucks to replace. I like the mirror finish foglight covers they have listed, no drilling envolved. How was the install on your truck?Thanks for any info. coobie

 

[Blu-meanie]

I installed a set last year, followed directions and kept my fingers wet with the alcohol and water solution. It took some extra finesse and a lot of hair dryer work to smooth them out, but they actually do fit. The covers I put on my '01 went on easier, but my fingerprints are forever embossed on those lenses. Take your time and talk to them real sweet-like.

 

[alexanderJ]

I just went to the cloud rider web-site those are very nice looking foglight covers,$56 bucks american money. I guess they would be worth it since the foglights are $117 bucks to replace. I like the mirror finish foglight covers they have listed, no drilling envolved. How was the install on your truck?Thanks for any info. coobie

I looked all over their website and could not find the fog light covers listed. What were they listed under? Also, would these deteriorate the amount of light projected?

 

[The patriot]

I have a set I bought about 5 years ago. Theyre still on the shelf... .....

Eric

 

[Slow Six]

The install is pretty easy. Instructions are okay. Only need a screwdriver and a wrench. It's hard to say if the lighting is affected. The road still seems to be lit up in front of the truck. In my case they are a necessary item as the fog lights up here are about $180. 00 and there is a lot of rock and gravel on the roads.

 

[JFielding]

Iput them on my "05. Used the soapy water method. They were tough to put on the headlights because of the shape. I left a couple of bubbles after it was all over. Do it in the warmer weather.



J

 

[fkovalski]

... The 3rd gen headlights have a lot of curves to them, which makes installation of the thick plastic film very difficult...

I have to agree. I followed the instructions exaclty as written and the install went less than satisfactory. One can do the install, but the curves of the lamp housing can cause problems later. I am finding that the edges of the cover do not 'seal' well. I am getting dirt and debris starting to 'creep' in around the cover perimeter. I did my install in warm weather, had the lamps 'on' and used a hair dryer (warming of the cover was stressed. ) But aparrently the covers did not form to the headlapms enough to get the good seal at the edges. Genos did send me another set, but I do not know if I can do anything differently from before. A good (or bad) install will not show dirt until driving a few weeks. I would imagine that 2G headlights would not be a problem.



-frank.

 

[DBond]

I put the Genos headlight protection on my 05 and am very happy with the results. Genos description IS very misleading on what it takes to install, not nearly as easy or fast as the catalog implies.

You have to use plenty of the water/alcohol spray on your fingers and on the adhesive, keeping everything wet, which prevents fingerprints. And keep the cover very warm with a hair dryer. I wasn't sure it would form into the hills and valleys on the 05 style headlamp, I called Genos on this and they had no advice.

But just centering the cover over the whole headlight, starting on the "hilltops" then stretching it into the valley worked. When I was done I did have a couple spots that were foggy (small air bubbles) and the instructions said this was go away. They did and it looks perfect now.



http://www.xpel.com is a good source, great customer service. They will do individual pieces that the web site shows in a set if you ask. They offer a yellow tint film, if you wanted yellow fogs.