Headlight covers

[Mike Z]

Hi,

Just curious if there's a link or previous thread specifically discussing the clear or blacked-out headlight covers. I did a thread search but it didn't look like anything specific came up. Does anyone know much about these or their history? Are they still sold anywhere? I think they look pretty cool.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I've always planned to make electrical sliding head light covers. I've just been to busy doing other things. It will be tricky to get the sliding covers to move into the center grill.

[Patrick C]

Many sellers have come and gone since the mid-80's peddling tinted headlight covers. Unfortunately they all suffer the same fault: mounting methods. Most use velcro which isn't ideal in any way. I would love a set if a better method of mounting them was introduced.

The most popular brand of these were Lunds which were sold in the late 80's/early 90's. They were unique from the others in the fact that they were curved slightly. The last set I saw on eBay went for $500+.

[Michael]

I made a set a year or so ago that turned out nice. I used a sheet of smoked lexan and modified plastic shelf brackets with industrial velcro. I tested them at 100mph and they did fine. As a bonus they were easy to remove(and easy to steal, but who would want them)? I did this because the dark tint was not viable at night so it only takes a second to pull them off or put them on. I took them off last year because I decided I liked the stock look too. To install the brackets to the fascia I used automotive double sided tape which leaves no marks upon removal if desired. Total cost was around 30 bucks. This is the only pic I have:
http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=5676&d=1317520711

[thirdmanj]

Just a thought, if you install the headlight covers, and they aren't easily removable like Michael's (so the headlights remain covered during operation) wouldn't they trap heat like a sonovabitch and contribute to the facias possibly developing "eyebrows"?

[Michael]

Just a thought, if you install the headlight covers, and they aren't easily removable like Michael's (so the headlights remain covered during operation) wouldn't they trap heat like a sonovabitch and contribute to the facias possibly developing "eyebrows"?

That was one of my concerns, but I was worried about the heat melting the covers. I do not subscribe to the warping fascias theory. I think its sun shrinking the fascia as a whole and the eyebrows appearing where they do is just coincidence. It's a moot point anyway with my covers as they are too dark for night use.

[thirdmanj]

That was one of my concerns, but I was worried about the heat melting the covers. I do not subscribe to the warping fascias theory. I think its sun shrinking the fascia as a whole and the eyebrows appearing where they do is just coincidence. It's a moot point anyway with my covers as they are too dark for night use.

On that I agree with you, the headlight heat warping thing always seemed a bit thin to me also. But, putting headlight covers on puts a whole different spin on the question. There can't be too many Ds running around with headlight covers, and of those that do, I bet either the majority of them don't drive at night or don't drive at all.

[SS Spoiler]

Made a set of tinted covers 20 years ago. I pop riveted an alum. channel to the bumper for the bottom of the cover to rest in and held the top in with a spring. I don't run them at night and it helps prevent eyebrows. Looks cool and more aerodynamic.

Paul Cerny
#2691

[Morpheus]

Personally, I don't see the allure of headlight or taillight covers.

I could maybe see the point if they were on a "show" car that isn't driven, if the owner was into that over-the-top kitschy 80's look.

But, why would you want to intentionally reduce the ability to see while driving at night? If you have tail covers, why make more problems for people following behind you during daylight hours? Because, let's face it... lighting (especially on the rear) was never this car's strong suit.

Just doesn't make any sense to me from a safety perspective, but what do I know.

[Mike Z]

Looks cool and more aerodynamic.

That's why I like them :)

[thirdmanj]

That's why I like them :)

Well get a car and put them on!!! ;)

[Mike Z]

Well get a car and put them on!!! ;)

I'm trying lol...I promise :thumbup:

[Jacko]

15533I made a set of covers for 4915 and it's pretty easy. I'll try to explain how I did it without the benefit of pictures since she is in Ohio getting refurbished.
I know most folks hate a bra on a Delorean but for this discussion try to ignore it.
I made a template by trial and error until I got it right. Once a pattern is made for one side it can be flopped over for the other side. I used 1/16 inch clear plexiglass which was tinted after they were made with 20% window film. I wanted covers I could drive at night with and the 20% allows that. Using the pattern, I cut out both covers on the bandsaw. I cleaned up the edges with sandpaper and proceeded to put a slight vertical curve in each one ... here's how I did it.

Plexiglass starts to melt at a temperature slightly above boiling, 212 Degrees F. I was careful to not heat them up too quickly or cool them down too quickly. Otherwise bubbles will form in the plexiglass. I made a form out of cardstock using tape and whatever else to get a form that has a 1/2 inch crown. Once the form is made I lay one cover on the form and put it in the kitchen oven ... then I turn on the oven at a temperature of about 240 degrees and watch the plexiglass. After about 4 or 5 minutes the plexiglass begins to sag. When it gets soft enough to 'melt' to the form the oven is turned off. You don't want it to cool too quickly. After a few minutes in the cooling oven I remove it and allow it to cool some more. Then I do the other one, same drill. Then I applied the window film on the inside of the covers.

To finish the edges I went to McMaster-Carr's website where they have a large assortment of rubber edging. I selected an appropriate one that fits and applied it to the covers. To install I drilled a 1/8 inch hole at each end and used a pop rivet to locate a small hook. Then I drilled a hole to set a small screw in the grill on one end and the fascia on the other end. I used an O ring as a rubber band to connect the hook and screw. The covers are secure and the mounts can't be seen unless you look for them.
I can drive at night and the covers have the appearance of being secure so someone couldn't just grab them and run.

Sorry this is so wordy.:)

[Mike Z]

15533I made a set of covers for 4915 and it's pretty easy. I'll try to explain how I did it without the benefit of pictures since she is in Ohio getting refurbished.
I know most folks hate a bra on a Delorean but for this discussion try to ignore it.
I made a template by trial and error until I got it right. Once a pattern is made for one side it can be flopped over for the other side. I used 1/16 inch clear plexiglass which was tinted after they were made with 20% window film. I wanted covers I could drive at night with and the 20% allows that. Using the pattern, I cut out both covers on the bandsaw. I cleaned up the edges with sandpaper and proceeded to put a slight vertical curve in each one ... here's how I did it.

Plexiglass starts to melt at a temperature slightly above boiling, 212 Degrees F. I was careful to not heat them up too quickly or cool them down too quickly. Otherwise bubbles will form in the plexiglass. I made a form out of cardstock using tape and whatever else to get a form that has a 1/2 inch crown. Once the form is made I lay one cover on the form and put it in the kitchen oven ... then I turn on the oven at a temperature of about 240 degrees and watch the plexiglass. After about 4 or 5 minutes the plexiglass begins to sag. When it gets soft enough to 'melt' to the form the oven is turned off. You don't want it to cool too quickly. After a few minutes in the cooling oven I remove it and allow it to cool some more. Then I do the other one, same drill. Then I applied the window film on the inside of the covers.

To finish the edges I went to McMaster-Carr's website where they have a large assortment of rubber edging. I selected an appropriate one that fits and applied it to the covers. To install I drilled a 1/8 inch hole at each end and used a pop rivet to locate a small hook. Then I drilled a hole to set a small screw in the grill on one end and the fascia on the other end. I used an O ring as a rubber band to connect the hook and screw. The covers are secure and the mounts can't be seen unless you look for them.
I can drive at night and the covers have the appearance of being secure so someone couldn't just grab them and run.

Sorry this is so wordy.:)

Good lord, that's epic! At least we know how to make them if I can't find them anywhere. Thanks!

[thirdmanj]

Good lord, that's epic! At least we know how to make them if I can't find them anywhere. Thanks!

Yeah, worthy of a Peter Jackson movie.

[Shep]

Has anyone thought about using a one-way mirror for headlight covers? The number one complaint for the dark covers seems to be that it reduces night time visibility. If I recall correctly, one-way mirrors do not fall victim to this. Yes, they're reflective, but surely no more reflective than a chrome bumper is. When the headlights are on, no one's looking at them anyways, but when they're off, theoretically they would be hidden. Or does that defeat the whole purpose of having the covers?

I can't seem to find anyone anywhere that's done this though, so maybe I'm crazy... :dunno:

[Starglider]

The number one complaint for the dark covers seems to be that it reduces night time visibility. If I recall correctly, one-way mirrors do not fall victim to this.

Unfortunately this is incorrect. No current material is a 'one way mirror' in terms of reflecting light from one direction but passing light in the opposite direction. All 'one way mirrors' are actually just partially reflective, partially transparent surfaces (with the same ratio from both sides). As such it will block some of the light from the headlights in the same way that the tinted (dark) covers do. If you're unlucky it may also screw up your beam pattern by reflecting some of the light back into the headlight, but at odd angles so that it bounces back out (possibly after multiple reflections) in an arbitrary pattern. The 'one way mirror' effect is achieved by having one side much more brightly lit than the other, so that looking from the bright side the reflection drowns out the view through the material, but looking from the dark side the bright view through the material drowns out the dark reflection.

[Shep]

Unfortunately this is incorrect. No current material is a 'one way mirror' in terms of reflecting light from one direction but passing light in the opposite direction. All 'one way mirrors' are actually just partially reflective, partially transparent surfaces (with the same ratio from both sides). As such it will block some of the light from the headlights in the same way that the tinted (dark) covers do. If you're unlucky it may also screw up your beam pattern by reflecting some of the light back into the headlight, but at odd angles so that it bounces back out (possibly after multiple reflections) in an arbitrary pattern. The 'one way mirror' effect is achieved by having one side much more brightly lit than the other, so that looking from the bright side the reflection drowns out the view through the material, but looking from the dark side the bright view through the material drowns out the dark reflection.So there is a reason why no one's ever done it. Okay, ignore the crazy nut two posts up; he obviously doesn't know what he's talking about ;)

[Mike Z]

I guess the bottom line is that no one sells them anymore :frown:

[dmc6960]

I guess the bottom line is that no one sells them anymore :frown:

For $200 I'll make you a pair following Jacko's directions.

[Mike Z]

For $200 I'll make you a pair following Jacko's directions.

I would gladly do that...but I have to get a D first :(