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      07-24-2021, 03:54 PM   #1
iviegatron
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I was advised by my SA not to PPF the headlights since they have tiny holes to exhaust gas build up. This is the first time I am hearing this and oddly enough I noticed an M3 which was at my dealer had condensation built up inside the headlights which I thought was unusual. If indeed there are holes then that explains the condensation.

Anyone knows where these holes might be so I can avoid them during PPF?
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      07-24-2021, 04:16 PM   #2
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Never heard of it, but its interesting. The lenses are one of the first things to get trashed on the front end. I planned on PPF, but I'll have to see where this goes. Subscribed.
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      07-24-2021, 04:46 PM   #3
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Interesting. I have PPF on the headlights of my current daily and was planning on doing the same to my incoming G82. The PPF saved a headlight for me so it was a no-brainer going forward. I guess I have to pay attention to this now.
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      07-24-2021, 04:49 PM   #4
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That's very interesting. I'm going to get my g80 PPF at extreme auto spa when I do my PCD and BMW recommends them and they PPF the headlights!
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      07-24-2021, 04:54 PM   #5
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Hmm...subscribed. I was totally going to PPF my headlights on my G80.
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      07-24-2021, 05:05 PM   #6
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Can you take pictures of the tiny holes that need a cutout for PPF?
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      07-24-2021, 05:15 PM   #7
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Why would there be holes on the front end? I know headlights have ports on the backside to let air out but never heard of holes in the front?
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      07-24-2021, 05:54 PM   #8
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I'm going to PPF my headlights on my G82 M4 Comp.... just doing research on where to go in Southern Cali. ... that uses XPEL PPF.
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      07-24-2021, 06:09 PM   #9
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My F83 had 1 or 2 tiny holes on the headlights to help reduce condensation. So makes sense if the G8X is the same.

I guess you can still PFF as long as you have small cutouts for the holes
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      07-24-2021, 06:16 PM   #10
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I PPF’ed my entire car and inside on my carbon buckets… no issues here with headlight.
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      07-24-2021, 06:22 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ghozthunter View Post
Why would there be holes on the front end? I know headlights have ports on the backside to let air out but never heard of holes in the front?
That's what I would have thought. Odd to put them in the front.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sbm007 View Post
My F83 had 1 or 2 tiny holes on the headlights to help reduce condensation. So makes sense if the G8X is the same.

I guess you can still PFF as long as you have small cutouts for the holes
Do you know where on the headlights were these holes on the F83?

Perhaps the G80 has them in the same location. I would check but my car is currently in the process of being built.

Would be great if we can get a close up pic.
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      07-25-2021, 05:18 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iviegatron View Post
Do you know where on the headlights were these holes on the F83?

Perhaps the G80 has them in the same location. I would check but my car is currently in the process of being built.

Would be great if we can get a close up pic.
I sold my F83 back in April, waiting to take delivery of my G80 (September) so unfortunately don't have any close up pics.

I tried Googling, but not really been able to find any photos.

These headlights are not sealed as it does not use Gas bulbs like Xenons used to, the holes are there for ventilation purposes to remove condensation.
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      07-25-2021, 06:58 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tsixtial View Post
I PPF’ed my entire car and inside on my carbon buckets… no issues here with headlight.
Same - goes back in 1 month to have bubbles fixed and also do the sensor cutouts…

Haven’t noticed any issues with the headlamps so far (hope I didn’t just jinx it!!!)
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      07-25-2021, 10:00 AM   #14
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I PPF'ed my headlights after receiving a bunch of chips in the first week I had the car. Was a month ago in Florida extreme wet weather and no issues.

XPEL film, pre cut to a template. Perhaps the template avoids the holes? No idea.
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      07-25-2021, 10:07 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sbm007 View Post
I sold my F83 back in April, waiting to take delivery of my G80 (September) so unfortunately don't have any close up pics.

I tried Googling, but not really been able to find any photos.

These headlights are not sealed as it does not use Gas bulbs like Xenons used to, the holes are there for ventilation purposes to remove condensation.
Looks like you are correct. I went to the G8x user manual and found this blurb (see pic) where it talks about the headlights.

For those that have already PPF'd their headlights I would recommend having cut outs, if not already, for the holes since they are functional to dissipate the condensation build up. You may not have any issues now but who knows what adverse effect you may have in the future.

Hopefully someone can provide the exact location where these holes exists so it can be avoided during PPF install.
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      07-25-2021, 10:53 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iviegatron View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sbm007 View Post
I sold my F83 back in April, waiting to take delivery of my G80 (September) so unfortunately don't have any close up pics.

I tried Googling, but not really been able to find any photos.

These headlights are not sealed as it does not use Gas bulbs like Xenons used to, the holes are there for ventilation purposes to remove condensation.
Looks like you are correct. I went to the G8x user manual and found this blurb (see pic) where it talks about the headlights.

For those that have already PPF'd their headlights I would recommend having cut outs, if not already, for the holes since they are functional to dissipate the condensation build up. You may not have any issues now but who knows what adverse effect you may have in the future.

Hopefully someone can provide the exact location where these holes exists so it can be avoided during PPF install.
I don't have my car yet but I'll have to see where they're at when I do because I'm wrapping my car.
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      07-25-2021, 12:53 PM   #17
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I had the LED headlights protected with PPF on my M2 and X3M and have not had any issues. While it's possible there are holes for holes to vent out vapor, it seems counterintuitive to have these vent holes on the lense cover.
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      07-25-2021, 10:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tsixtial View Post
I PPF’ed my entire car and inside on my carbon buckets… no issues here with headlight.
I'd love to see the seats… I didn't even know that was possible.




Also, to the OP, I have PPF'd mine and ceramic coated over it. I do not notice anything. Also, I never dry it in the rain either.
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      07-26-2021, 01:29 PM   #19
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I didn't see any vent holes in my headlights. My PPF guy said this is the 3rd G8x car hes done and he hasn't seen them either. Maybe only on the non-laser lights?

Confirming the shot from the manual, my service advisor said these are NOT sealed and condensation is totally normal.
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      07-26-2021, 01:32 PM   #20
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Mine are ppf'd.

No condensation at all thus far
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      07-26-2021, 01:46 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BadBoostedBMWM3 View Post
I'd love to see the seats… I didn't even know that was possible.




Also, to the OP, I have PPF'd mine and ceramic coated over it. I do not notice anything. Also, I never dry it in the rain either.

I’ll post a picture when I get back into town. I have a 5 year old and a 9 year old and their feet tend to always hit the back seat!
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      07-26-2021, 02:39 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonahk View Post
I didn't see any vent holes in my headlights. My PPF guy said this is the 3rd G8x car hes done and he hasn't seen them either. Maybe only on the non-laser lights?

Confirming the shot from the manual, my service advisor said these are NOT sealed and condensation is totally normal.
I have no idea how big or small these holes are and where they are located. I didn't even know this was a thing, like many of us. I believe it's a lack of education from us and possibly the PPF installers. If there is condensation happening then air is getting in somehow. Now if it's on the face of the headlight or elsewhere that needs to be figured out. It may be a non issue now, but who knows what may happen down the road if these holes (where ever they are) are blocked by PPF.

I have asked my SA if he can dig into this. Let's see what he comes back with.

P.S. My headlights are laser.
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