S1 headlight covers
Discussion
Having suffered a few broken headlights from stones on my S1 over the years, I'm considering getting the Eliseparts headlight covers and affixing them with the tape they also provide.
http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/55/328/hea...
What I'm concerned with is that the standard S1 front clam doesn't look like it has a lot of clearance for the covers, even though they are supposed to be thinner than the original 111S ones.
Looking at pictures of Elise's with covers, they look great, but my question is, will I be able to get them to fit nice and flush? I don't think it'd look too good if the edge protruded up above the normal curve of the wing.
I don't really want to go down the screw on route either.
Does anyone have any experience with these covers, are they a good fit and how strong are they in practice, considering how thin they are?
Any opinions or advice would be most welcome.
Cheers,
Dave.
http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/55/328/hea...
What I'm concerned with is that the standard S1 front clam doesn't look like it has a lot of clearance for the covers, even though they are supposed to be thinner than the original 111S ones.
Looking at pictures of Elise's with covers, they look great, but my question is, will I be able to get them to fit nice and flush? I don't think it'd look too good if the edge protruded up above the normal curve of the wing.
I don't really want to go down the screw on route either.
Does anyone have any experience with these covers, are they a good fit and how strong are they in practice, considering how thin they are?
Any opinions or advice would be most welcome.
Cheers,
Dave.
Having given the matter attempted resolve for my
Exige "S", I shied at the cost of covers.
To me the silly cost of 3M's film protection
is aound £48 + VAT + postage. seemingly a lot for
a covering film for 2 headlights.
So I tried helicoptor blade protection film. That
was too thick and would not form around lamp
contours, also it was not entirely transparent.
Then I tried the film as advertised on ebay (I think
it originates from China, UK vendors in Leicester).
Only to find even that it would not form over the
headlamp covers. I do see it as OK for flat-glass.
I therefore now conclude that the 3M's protection
film is the only likely resolve. In the past I
have successfully applied it to a CSR 260 and a
Noble - but 50quid for what appears to be akin
to cellophane ?
I hope my experience is helpful.
Exige "S", I shied at the cost of covers.
To me the silly cost of 3M's film protection
is aound £48 + VAT + postage. seemingly a lot for
a covering film for 2 headlights.
So I tried helicoptor blade protection film. That
was too thick and would not form around lamp
contours, also it was not entirely transparent.
Then I tried the film as advertised on ebay (I think
it originates from China, UK vendors in Leicester).
Only to find even that it would not form over the
headlamp covers. I do see it as OK for flat-glass.
I therefore now conclude that the 3M's protection
film is the only likely resolve. In the past I
have successfully applied it to a CSR 260 and a
Noble - but 50quid for what appears to be akin
to cellophane ?
I hope my experience is helpful.
I like the look of the car with the headlight covers - the lines seem to flow better
I bought the eliseparts ones and they seem to fit slightly different
The right side one fits fine
The left one sits a couple on mm proud of the body at the back
Its really only when you look closely that its noticible.
They do seem to be slightly different shapes when studied closely??
They are fitted with the 3M adhesive
I bought the eliseparts ones and they seem to fit slightly different
The right side one fits fine
The left one sits a couple on mm proud of the body at the back
Its really only when you look closely that its noticible.
They do seem to be slightly different shapes when studied closely??
They are fitted with the 3M adhesive
Edited by Oscar the Grouch on Thursday 5th August 13:24
Thanks for the input guys.
The eliseparts page does indicate that you can by a pair of covers, or the right or left on their own, so I guess they must be sided.
I ceratinly wouldn't be surprised if the 'bezels' that the headlights are fitted into were aligned slightly differently from one car to the next, or from right to left on the same car for that matter.
Is the tape easy to apply? My skill levels sometimes waver between meticulously careful and cack handed...I think it might be linked to the phases of the moon.
From the pictures I've seen, the black of the standard tape seems to look okay as it matches the other black accents on the car, but I think I'd be in a better position to decide how to go when I have the covers.
The eliseparts page does indicate that you can by a pair of covers, or the right or left on their own, so I guess they must be sided.
I ceratinly wouldn't be surprised if the 'bezels' that the headlights are fitted into were aligned slightly differently from one car to the next, or from right to left on the same car for that matter.
Is the tape easy to apply? My skill levels sometimes waver between meticulously careful and cack handed...I think it might be linked to the phases of the moon.
From the pictures I've seen, the black of the standard tape seems to look okay as it matches the other black accents on the car, but I think I'd be in a better position to decide how to go when I have the covers.
Grinnders said:
Even with the thinner ones it may be + or - 1mm. But to be honest panel fit on the Elise S1 was never perfect.
Following someone elses example I painted the outside strip the same as the body colour to give it a designed-in look rather than an aftermarket mod.
Dave I think I would of sealed them in with silver silicone as well to lose the gaps, but you know me Following someone elses example I painted the outside strip the same as the body colour to give it a designed-in look rather than an aftermarket mod.
Hows the Panzer going? I have had my plates put in so should be out to play in about 4 weeks.
@James. Well yes... You have access to all the products and I'm sure you'd have done your usual 11/10 job with some silver sealant. Panzer is improving, especially since I did a DIY ICE upgrade to full SatNav/Ipod/CD/DVD/USB/Tuner. 2 new rears now on. Getting the wheels refurbed in a couple of weeks which will leave just the chipex-ing to do and some Carnuba!
@Fatrat I never had any trouble with the Police re: stick on numberplate. It's a 1999 car and the law only started to tighten up in 2001. It complies on the reflective material laws and it was viewable from the 72 yards or whatever it is supposed to be. It is also legally sized and spaced. However, because not all MOT stations are aware of the nuances for pre and post 2001 registered cars I used to put it on (or over time throw it in the PAX footwell) once a year. Search DVLA for V796
FYI, I tried several DIY installations over the years which were ok but due to the complex concave shape would tend to get messy at the bottom edge. The last attempt was done by a professional vinyl graphics place and probably nearly up to lamb-jiblets quality mark!
@OP I think the fit of the covers is less about the covers themselves and more about how the headlight surround was fitted to the clam, as this is where you are susceptible to variances and I suspect that to have been a human process rather than a machine one! So you're back to Lotus build quality or in my case, the body shop that replaced my front clam about 6 years previously.
@Fatrat I never had any trouble with the Police re: stick on numberplate. It's a 1999 car and the law only started to tighten up in 2001. It complies on the reflective material laws and it was viewable from the 72 yards or whatever it is supposed to be. It is also legally sized and spaced. However, because not all MOT stations are aware of the nuances for pre and post 2001 registered cars I used to put it on (or over time throw it in the PAX footwell) once a year. Search DVLA for V796
FYI, I tried several DIY installations over the years which were ok but due to the complex concave shape would tend to get messy at the bottom edge. The last attempt was done by a professional vinyl graphics place and probably nearly up to lamb-jiblets quality mark!
@OP I think the fit of the covers is less about the covers themselves and more about how the headlight surround was fitted to the clam, as this is where you are susceptible to variances and I suspect that to have been a human process rather than a machine one! So you're back to Lotus build quality or in my case, the body shop that replaced my front clam about 6 years previously.
Edited by Grinnders on Friday 6th August 09:08
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