Protecting fog lights (S2/Turbo, but applicable to Lux's)

[zcacogp]

Chaps,

I know they are vulnerable, but have noticed some big cracks in the offside fog light on the front of my S2 recently. I took it out*, cleaned it up, and have put some clear araldite in the back of it to fill the back of the impact crater, and to hold the crack sides together, but what are the options for protecting these things a bit better. I know that Alasdair has some covers which can be attached, but these are £40 a pair and (while I am sure that is a very fair price), I'd rather not spend £40 or so at the moment. New lights are expensive, so perhaps this is a false economy, but there we are.

I have heard of putting some helicopter tape over the front of them, but have no idea what this is. Where do I get it from, and does it only come in big sheets?

Any other suggestions?


Oli.

* - Two of the screws had seized solid, so had to do the drilling-them-out trick, which was surprisingly easy; sharp drill bits are the key, I suspect. I then removed the grey plastic shell that makes up the back of the light, and drilled out the studs that were left of the screws from behind, cleaned up the holes (they have brass bushes in them) and will replace with some hex-insert head A2 stainless M4 bolts, which should stop them from seizing again. I know this can be done with self-tappers, but this sounds like a bit of a mess.

 

[Peter Empson]

I used a clear tape (similar to helicopter tape) bought from Halfords which protected my lights and didn't yellow even after many years, so very well worthwhile. I forget the brand, but I'm sure there are 3M products on ebay that would be similar.

 

[zcacogp]

Peter,

Thanks. Looks like there are various 'helicopter tapes' available on eBay, so I have ordered a roll. I reckon 10cmx25cm or so would do one light, so a 10cmx1m roll seems suitable, which cost £8.

I'll keep this thread posted with how I get on.


Oli.

 

[Dockrell]

Oli,
You could replace the brass bushes with suitably sized rivnuts. These are like top hats in alloy or steel with a threaded centre section.
They are normally incerted into a hole, and with a threaded mandrel in them compressed like a rivet to grip the hole.
Alteratively they can be fixed in place of the brass bushes with araldite or similar.
With a suitable stainless bolt you will be hard pressed to see that it is not an original fitting.

I have used this approach on the foglights, driving lights and indicator frame attachment on my 944.

Most suppliers of rivets also stock rivnuts and suitable mandrels which allow nornal rivit guns to secure them.

Mike
White 2.7 automatic

 

[zcacogp]

Mike,

Thanks. A good idea, had the brass inserts not survived. As it was, I managed to get the drill down the middle pretty well (good quill bearing on the stand drill is the key methinks), and hence the brass inserts are fine.

I am hoping that there is no electrolytic reaction between the brass inserts and the stainless bolts I replaced the machine-thread screws with.


Oli.

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp



I have heard of putting some helicopter tape over the front of them, but have no idea what this is. Where do I get it from, and does it only come in big sheets?

Oli,

Paintshield put some of there 'extra thick' headlamp protector film on my foglamps when they did the film on the front of my S2. Why not give them a ring and see if they will supply it pre cut to stick on yourself. A better alternative to the plastic covers imo.

Edd

 

[zcacogp]

Edd,

Thanks for the suggestion.

As it is, I've ordered some Helicopter Tape (which I suspect is very similar to the protector film you are mentioning) and it should be with me by the middle of the week.

I'll keep the thread posted with how the application process goes.


Oli,

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Rick Cannell was going to do ready-cut helicopter tape, don't think he ever got round to it.

 

[Diver944]

Mine have had Helicopter tape on for about 10 years.

We originally had a group buy from Trident Racing at Silverstone where I bought a 100 metre roll of 50cm wide tape and about 20 of us shared it out. Enough to do the lights and also make up a few full sets of the stoneguard protectors down the side. All long gone now, but it's good stuff and doesn't yellow

 

[944Turbo]

I hit a hubcap with helicopter tape on the fogs - it shattered, though all the bits stayed together. I now have plastic covers on the cab and will go for a set from Alasdair when the coupe gets back on the road. At £40 a pair they are half the price of one glass.
tony