Car owners Skoda Octavia Tour Often faced with the desire to update the appearance of their iron horse, without resorting to expensive tuning. One of the most affordable and effective ways is to install the so-called "cilia" on the head optics. This element of decor is able to instantly change the character of the car, adding it sportiness and aggression, which is especially important for a model that is not the first freshness.
Many motorists mistakenly believe that cilia are just a plastic sticker that does not carry any functional load. In fact, a well-chosen element can improve the aerodynamics of air flow over the headlights and protect the glass from small stones and sand flying from under the wheels of oncoming cars. However, in order for the result to please, not disappoint, you need to take into account many technical nuances specific to your body. Octavia Tour.
Types and materials of accessories performance
The market of auto accessories offers a huge selection of headlights, and choosing the right material is the first step to success. The most popular option is plastic products, but their quality can be radically different. Cheap options are often made of hard polystyrene, which becomes cloudy over time under the influence of ultraviolet light and becomes brittle at low temperatures. Such material can crack at the first wash or accidental blow of a branch.
For Skoda Octavia Tour The most preferred option is carbon or high-quality ABS plastic, painted in body color or black gloss. Carbon is premium and has high strength, as well as excellent resistance to chemical agents that cover roads in winter. If you plan to paint the item yourself, choose ABS plasticAs it holds paint better and does not peel off over time, unlike cheap counterparts.
- ๐ Carbon - an ideal choice for connoisseurs of style, which does not require painting.
- ๐ก๏ธ ABS plastic Excellent balance of price and durability, easily painted.
- ๐งฑ Polystyrene A budget option that quickly loses its product appearance.
It is also important to pay attention to the shape of the product. The linings should perfectly repeat the curves of the body of your model, since the lines Octavia Tour It differs from the facelift versions or models of subsequent generations. The wrong geometry will create ugly gaps and violate the integrity of the image of the car.
Methods of fastening and their features
Installation of cilia can be carried out in several ways, each of which has its pros and cons. The most common method is the use of double-sided 3M tape. This is a fast and traceless installation method that does not require drilling holes in the body. However, the reliability of such a fastening directly depends on the quality of the tape itself and the preparation of the surface before installation.
Some manufacturers offer options with a glue layer that is activated by heating a hairdryer. This provides a tighter fit and high adhesion, especially if the surface of the headlight has a complex relief. For Octavia Tour With its classic headlight lines, often enough quality tape, but in harsh winter it is better to be safe and use additional fixation points.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never place cilia on a dirty or wet surface. Even a microscopic layer of dust under the tape can cause the element to peel off after a couple of weeks of operation.
There is also a possibility of attaching to the screws, but for Skoda Octavia Tour This is considered a superfluous and even risky method. Drilling holes in a plastic bumper or wing can lead to corrosion and disruption of factory corrosion protection. Use mechanical fastening only if the product has special slots that enter the normal bumper holes.
- ๐ง Double sided tape - Quick, clean, but requires thorough degreasing.
- ๐ฅ Heat activation - provides maximum tightness and strength.
- ๐ฉ Mechanical fasteners - reliable, but spoils the body, is not recommended without necessity.
- I love style, I love style.
- It doesn't matter, as long as it goes.
- I think it's unnecessary.
- Only original accessories
Surface preparation before installation
The quality of the installation depends on the surface preparation by 90%. Before you stick the cilia, you must thoroughly wash and degrease the area around the headlight. Use specialized degreasers or alcohol, avoiding aggressive solvents that can damage the paintwork of the body. Wipe the surface with a soft lilaless napkin, removing all traces of bitumen, insects and road dirt.
If you are planning to use Scotch, check its quality. Often, the kit is thin strips that do not withstand temperature changes. It is better to replace them with a wider and thicker premium Scotch, which is sold in car stores. Apply it to the back of the cilia, leaving the protective film until the moment of direct installation.
โ๏ธ Preparing for installation
It is important to make sure that the air temperature outside is not lower than +15 ยฐ C. At lower temperatures, the adhesive layer of scotch loses its properties, and the element may not stick or fall off in the first days. If the weather does not allow you to install cilia on the street, it is better to transfer the procedure to a warm garage or service box.
Impact on light beam and safety
The main question that worries owners: will the cilia worsen the visibility of the road? With proper selection and installation, high-quality overlays do not block the light beam. However, cheap or too wide models can create the effect of "shading" the upper part of the beam, which is unacceptable for night driving. It is necessary to check that the lower face of the cilia does not go on the working surface of the headlamp glass.
This is especially critical for Octavia Tour with halogen headlamps, where the light beam has a clear cut-off boundary. If the lining falls into the zone of this cutoff, it can create glare, blinding oncoming drivers, or, conversely, reduce the lighting of the roadside. In the dark, this can lead to emergency situations.
โ ๏ธ Warning: After installation, be sure to conduct a test trip in the dark. Check if your headlights blind oncoming drivers and if the angle of road lighting has changed.
It is also worth considering that the linings can cast a shadow on the headlight glass in cloudy weather or in rain, which visually reduces the brightness of the light. If you notice such effects, it is better to remove the element or replace it with a narrower model. Safety should be a priority over aesthetics.
| Headlight type | Recommended cilia width | The risk of illumination |
|---|---|---|
| Halogen (standard) | 10-15 mm | Low |
| Xenon (if installed) | Up to 10 mm | Medium |
| Light-emitting diode (LED) | 15-20 mm | Low |
| Bixenon | Up to 12 mm | High |
Subtleties of painting and care for elements
If you bought black plastic linings, but want them to harmonize with the color of the body, they can be painted. For this, use car enamel suitable for plastic. Before painting, the surface should be covered with fine sandpaper (grain 800-1000) for better paint adhesion, then apply the soil and several layers of paint with varnish.
Care for cilia is practically no different from care for the rest of the car body. Wash them with the machine using soft sponges and special shampoos. Avoid using hard brushes and abrasive polishes that can leave micro-scratches on plastic or paint. In winter, do not clean the ice with sharp objects so as not to damage the surface.
How to restore the color of the faded plastic?
If the cilia have lost color, they can be coated with polymer wax or a special spray for restoring plastic. This will return deep blackness and protect from ultraviolet light for several months.
Regular checks of the mounting are also important. Once a month, check the edges of the lining for peeling. If you notice that the scotch has started to move away, donโt try to glue it back to the old layer. Clean the surface and apply a new layer of quality tape to avoid losing the part on the go.
- ๐จ Preparing for painting - Skinning and padding are mandatory.
- ๐ฟ Washing Use soft remedies, avoid abrasives.
- โ๏ธ Winter care Do not use sharp scrapers to remove ice.
Properly selected width and high-quality fastening is the guarantee that the cilia will not spoil the light and will last for many years without requiring replacement.
Legal aspects and toning
Many car enthusiasts are wondering: is it legal to install eyelashes on headlights? The legislation of the Russian Federation does not directly prohibit the use of decorative overlays if they do not change the design characteristics of lighting devices and do not change the color and type of light source. However, if the overlays are tinted or cover part of the glass, this may be regarded by the traffic police inspector as making changes to the design, which entails a fine and a requirement to dismantle the element.
Particularly strict control applies to headlights with xenon or LED modules, where the slightest change in the light beam is unacceptable. Tinted eyelashes that cover more than 5% of the area of light-transmitting glass may result in a ban on vehicle operation.. It is better to choose transparent or black matte options that do not change the light intensity.
โ ๏ธ Attention: The traffic police inspector has the right to demand that the eyelashes be removed on the spot if he considers that they impair visibility or violate the rules for installing lighting devices. Be prepared for this.
If you plan to undergo a technical inspection with the covers installed, make sure that they do not interfere with checking the headlight parameters on the stand. In some cases, even in the absence of obvious violations, the inspector may refuse to issue a diagnostic card due to the appearance of the optics. To avoid problems, it is better to have a spare mounting option or the ability to quickly dismantle.
Before purchasing eyelashes, look at photos of your car on the Internet with similar elements installed. This will help you evaluate how well they match the style and whether they will look out of place against the background of other changes.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions from owners
Is it possible to install eyelashes on xenon headlights?
Technically it is possible, but you need to be extremely careful. Xenon has a very bright and directional beam, and any obstructions at the top of the headlight can create dangerous glare. Choose the narrowest models made of transparent or matte plastic that do not block the light cutoff zone.
How long do tape overlays last?
The service life depends on the quality of the adhesive tape and operating conditions. When using high-quality 3M adhesive tape and following the installation technology, the linings can last from 2 to 5 years. In winter, with constant temperature changes and the use of reagents, the period can be reduced to 1-2 years.
What to do if an eyelash comes off on the highway?
If this happens while driving, do not try to stop on the roadway. If the pad flies off into the bumper or suspension, it can cause handling problems. At the first opportunity, stop in a safe place, remove the rest of the trim and glue it back if possible, or simply remove the piece so that it does not damage other parts of the car.
Do eyelashes affect a car's warranty?
Since the installation of decals does not require any modification to the vehicle's electrical circuit or structure, it does not affect the engine or suspension warranty. However, if you damage the paint during careless installation or removal, the paint warranty on that area will be voided.
Is it possible to paint eyelashes to match the body color?
Yes, this is a common practice. To do this, use paints intended for plastic, and be sure to apply primer and varnish. This will ensure the durability of the coating and protect the plastic from fading in the sun. The color must exactly match your vehicle's paint code.