AskAShittyMechanic

FML - My dad calls this the 'Ford Titanium SPF-100' package. His boomer ass thinks this will keep his headlights from yellowing. Help me convince him this is stupid.

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1lv2r9h
Reddit

Discussion

-Datura

This is cruel. Cars are very curious and love observing the world pass by when parked outside. Covering its eyes will only cause depression and depressed cars veer off roads at high speeds.

Cars Eyes Matter.

19 hours ago
belivemenot

Blinders keep the horse from getting upset.

13 hours ago
-Datura

It's a Ford. It's always upset. Besides, I know for a fact that horses live inside engines and engines are dark and the darker it is the angrier they get and the angrier they get the more horse power you get. Science bitch!

13 hours ago
fergehtabodit

And here I thought anger produced torque and ego produced HP

6 hours ago
lyingdogfacepony66

Does it help keep em in the same lane?

8 hours ago
RandyFunRuiner

I’ve called CPS (Car protective services).

13 hours ago
Several_Geologist_87

I mean its definitely doing the extra. But technically it would prolong the headlights from getting damaged by the sun while parked.

23 hours ago
One_Sun_6258

Ah haa

17 hours ago
TehSvenn

I mean, technically he's not wrong. No UV means no UV damage. It's excessive and more work than a UV resistant clear coat, but it'll have some effect.

20 hours ago
realkunkun

Yeah thats like not fucking your wife to keep her tight for the next dude

18 hours ago
Lumpy_FPV

How else am I supposed to keep her boyfriend happy?! I'm not gonna fuck him myself!

17 hours ago
atown203

Her boyfriend can’t fuck himself.

14 hours ago
Dorsai56

Sure he can.

6 hours ago
TehSvenn

Have you tried though? Maybe you can be a throuple!

11 hours ago
BigBubbaMac

You must be from r/creatine.

15 hours ago
snibbles8737

~German

~cucking lives rent-free

Yeah that checks out..

2 hours ago
IvoryManOfWisdom

The car is just sleeping, let it rest.

22 hours ago
ThrustTrust

This absolutely works. It works so well that I don’t even take mine off anymore. I leave the windshield ones in too. No way I’m letting my dash fade.

17 hours ago
MrKen2u

Exactly! Just how much sun comes in while driving? Too much! Gotta play it safe, so keep it covered!

16 hours ago
DutchBart82

Did he cover up the trail lights as well? If not I'm sure they feel left out, some people just don't care about their tail lights as they do about their head lights, this really hurts the tail lights feelings

22 hours ago
Lumpy_FPV

And we all know what happens when taillights' feelings are hurt

17 hours ago
RichardBCummintonite

Yeah they cry, and it fills up the housing.

12 hours ago
Fit_Indication5709

You know what. Sure. Way to go dad!

23 hours ago
Majestic-Lifeguard29

You would cover your eyes while sleeping outside too.

21 hours ago
Key-Crab-8718

It's not stupid if it works. 100%, the sun damages the plastic lenses of lighting assemblies. Source- I'm a Floridian and see it happening in real-time.

18 hours ago
MrKen2u

Maybe the handicap placard is for mental degradation?

16 hours ago
vetle_gaming

It is stupid, the headlights still lights up even if you cover them. This will only keep the sun from yellowing.

23 hours ago
Several_Geologist_87

It's the sun that yellows.

23 hours ago
vetle_gaming

The sun is more yellow than my headlights, therefor my headlights are making the sun more yellow.

22 hours ago
Several_Geologist_87

Yeah so quit messing up my sun and cover your headlights

22 hours ago
matthewamerica

Boom! Checkmate athiests!

11 hours ago
newFone-

The headlights are turning my teeth yellow. Ill wear one of these covers over my mouth.

18 hours ago
Shot_Independence274

It's not stupid if it works... And this works to some degree.

BUT

Go buy him some oraguard stoneguard, it blocks 99%UV and protects from scratching also!

21 hours ago
Due_Law_6781

Like everyone has said he's not wrong. But if you want to convince him id probably say 2 things. 1 the covers are going to eventually scratch the paint around the lights and cause more damage. Even theyre soft. 

And 2 what this commenter said spray a uv protectant over them. 

the cost of spending the time everything you park isnt worth it i dont think. Get a uv spray, and then create a savings account to either have them repaired or replaced. 

13 hours ago
Shot_Independence274

The oraguard is better than spray. You just rip it off after 3-5 years and put a new one.

https://youtu.be/h4oPZv4QYz8?si=x2v5EVLiCWIFVFKq

10 hours ago
carbotax

The first thing I thought was, “This s genius”. Yup, I am a Boomer and proud of it! Well done Dad!

8 hours ago
Merganser3816

Dad, this is dumb!

23 hours ago
MycologistForeign766

At least he doesn't have them monogrammed. Leave the poor guy alone. He ain't hurting anyone.

22 hours ago
MarkyMarcG

Lol

23 hours ago
Andyman1973

Reminds me of a coworker from years ago, would prop the hood open with 2 water bottles, to help it cool off quicker, his own words. Bro worked the night shift, getting to work around 10pm.

17 hours ago
CapybaraSanctuary

Trust me…with wheels like that, you won’t be able to convince him of anything…

17 hours ago
muffsniffer3

It’s because it’s a thoroughbred racing machine, think about race horses, a lot wear blinkers.

Smart move

14 hours ago
No-Specific-9611

It will protect his headlights. But If he's popping the hood everytime he parks somewhere to prevent headlamp damage it is very stupid, by the time he's ready to buy new ones they'll be pretty cheap.

12 hours ago
BLAlley63

You can stop applying negative generalizations to boomers. It's such an obvious attempt by the entitled generation to justify being useless idiots who can't even solve the problem of which finger to pick their nose with. Sure it looks silly, but have you priced replacement headlight assemblies these days?

11 hours ago
sexinsuburbia OP

Dad! We are not having this discussion again in public like the last time we went to Cracker Barrel and you caused a scene. Look, just because you bribed the waitress with a $10 bill to hang your framed Sunday School certificate on the wall doesn't mean you own the place. And I get it. Grandma's butter churn was there and you wanted to feel equally important.

I'm not humoring you anymore. 20 minutes. That's how long it takes for you to put solar blankets on your headlights. And you don't even do it. You make me do it. I have to lay on the ground in the hot 'Zona sun zip tying shit while enduring your constant commentary about why everyone else in the parking lot doesn't care enough about headlight preservation.

I get that you have a lot of free time. And yes, it sucks since mom left you. But you did spend $3,000 on vintage camcorders - the best of their day you said - and lighting. You filmed 47 videos of yourself explaining how to change a printer cartridge and uploaded them to YouTube. And none of them were in focus. Who does that?

We are going to need to find you different hobbies. Can't you just be a normal boomer and feed squirrels in the park, collect commemorative state quarters, or listening to the police radio while organizing your garage?

10 hours ago
Sc0ttysLeftTit

Just putting this out there, not a single person born after 1970 has ever come through my checkout line or up to my customer service desk and acted like they were entitled to special treatment or basically called me stupid for not breaking the rules for their convenience. Silent Generation is all but extinct. Gen X and Millennials, by and large, aren't entitled. Gen Z might be a bit self-absorbed at times, but I wouldn't call them entitled. Idk about Gen Alpha, too soon to tell for them. So you tell me, who does that leave to be named the Entitled Generation?

9 hours ago
Downtown_Horse1204

keeps em from gettin spooked

9 hours ago
Psychological_Web687

Yeah, but you only need it when you're pulling a carriage or wagon.

9 hours ago
Spiritual-Fun-9591

When you have a badass car like that….it’s worth it to go the extra mile

20 hours ago
SuspiciousPeanut251

Be sure he keeps it parked inside of a garage or underneath a cover while at home (and, if possible, while at work (if he works)).

If not, it’s not just the headlights to be concerned about.

Though the headlights are apparently successfully covered and protected with the clever bionic titanium spf-100 layer invention, the rest of the truck (the seats/upholstery, wiring, batteries, plastics, paint, …) is still getting thoroughly baked. …Like, Cheech and Chong kind of baked.

For complete and more-comprehensive protection: He may need a little more duct tape. 🥇

20 hours ago
Derpsquire

And right up front in a handicap spot, too. He truly wants the world to see the ingenuity on that unholy boomermobile. How high up does he wear his socks?

18 hours ago
Lumpy_FPV

Dude wakes up and the first thing he does is tucks in his shirt

17 hours ago
HeuristicEnigma

I bet he wears white New Balance shoes and long white socks with pride

16 hours ago
TinkTink-321

Don't they go yellow from continually not having enough blink fluid?

15 hours ago
averagemaleuser86

It will help keep them from yellowing. I had clear ppf put on my $1800 Morimoto headlights on my F250. The first set started yellowing after 2 years. Now I park it under a shelter and have the ppf on the lights.

14 hours ago
mike7257

Not stupid 

14 hours ago
ToiletTime4TinyTown

You could use clear coat, you know that stuff car companies use to protect from sunlight and uv damage.

14 hours ago
Imightbenormal

So Ford still uses plastic that cannot handle UV?

14 hours ago
MonitorUnlucky4703

I don't see why not. I keep my wiper blades up off the windshield on hot sunny days. Glass can get really hot and damage the wiper blades

14 hours ago
Spazecowboy

Why not just apply SPF 100

14 hours ago
Fuzzywalls

That's what headlight condoms are for.

14 hours ago
TeaMugPatina

I will not. I will sit and watch this ritual every chance I get though.

13 hours ago
Max_delirious

This will work

13 hours ago
johnmcd348

It won't stop it but it will keep it from happening as soon.

13 hours ago
Own-Opinion-2494

Well he is handicapped. Kinda helps define the handicap

13 hours ago
GetyoHussleOn

It’s a Ford, it will break down before the lights yellow 😂

12 hours ago
brug76

Your dad has plastic covers on his couches too doesn't he?

12 hours ago
doubtsnail

I’d rather buy new headlights every 5 years

12 hours ago
Desperate_Set_7708

Stealth to combat police radar

12 hours ago
Shadowhawk0000

This won't work, but 3M sells a great product that works just like a cell phone skin cover. That works. It's expensive, but it does work.

12 hours ago
Background_Praline18

It probably works.

12 hours ago
jsooterdev

Tell his cheap ass to get a nice car cover and be done with it 😳

11 hours ago
mcnugglepuppy

2 mins per day to cover the lights times average of day 300 days per year time 7 years to own car equals 70 hours labor. At median wage of $30/hour equals $2100 in labor.

11 hours ago
Safe-Tennis-6121

That's the samurai helmet, and that Ford should know better...

11 hours ago
BudgetExpert9145

Build a garage, only drive at night.

10 hours ago
n1tr0klaus

He probably doesn't want anyone to see that his blinker fluid is low. I'd cut him some slack, he might just be too embarrassed to admit that he doesn't know how to refill it. Maybe do him a favor and refill it for him.

10 hours ago
freudsuncle

it is too much hussle but if he is okay with his solution it doesn't harm anyone and it works. Good for him

10 hours ago
yorkman2

that fucking excuse lmfaooo dude your dad is a GENIUS

10 hours ago
fuckfacekiller

You don’t use them in the daylight. Tell dad to use them at night only. They’ll last decades! Hope this helps fren.
🤘😆🤘

10 hours ago
Regular_Doughnut8964

Come on folks...it's obvious this truck is new at working night shift and just trying to hide from the bosses daughter in order to get a bit of sleep...

10 hours ago
Illustrious_Can_3125

Shhh its trying to sleep.

9 hours ago
Msdmachine

I support your father's idea o

9 hours ago
invalidpath

I mean.. if you did that from day 1 I think it'd certainly slow the yellowing/micr-fracture process. The sun is a relentless bitch to translucent plastics.

9 hours ago
bhans773

Is that Edge performing surgery? Looking past the dumb mats, wtf is with the lights?

9 hours ago
NoEvidence136

This also helps save money by reducing the need to change blinker fluid so often.

9 hours ago
quigongingerbreadman

The sun doesn't cause this (though it can exacerbate it). It is the plastic oxidizing. Plastics today are better than the plastics from 80's and 90's as far as oxidation is concerned, but they still oxidize. For those of you that still have an SNES from the 90's, you'll notice despite being inside 24/7, the plastics still yellow over time.

8 hours ago
Hairy_Photograph1384

Why would you post this and pretend that it's your dad's car? That's just sad

7 hours ago
sexinsuburbia OP

What sub are you in, bub?

5 hours ago
AAA-VR6

Whoa! Free windshield covers

6 hours ago
Billz3bub666

how long has this been going on? Is this like when I got my first aftermarket stereo and I took the faceplate off for like 2 weeks and then got over myself and quit bothering?

6 hours ago
poedraco

Well if they're made out of resin. Yes the yellow very very fast. What makes you a question. Who uses resin anymore

5 hours ago
jeggernaut312

I almost guarantee that placard is for extreme OCD. Not even joking.

4 hours ago
CollectionSafe7095

Those are probably IR aux lights (850nm or 940nm) and the owner is driving ‘blacked out’ with NVG.

3 hours ago
Tight-Turtle2714

Aren't brand new headlights like $100 to $150 each after 10 years when they start to get hazy or yellow?

If he just invested the $40 he spent on those sun shades in the stock market, he could have $300 in 10 years easy.

3 hours ago
lostinthisworld0821

It will do that yes but dang it’s an hour to wet Sand, polish and clear

2 hours ago
Wide_Performance1115

Its a bit overboard IMO...but he is right...U.V damage is one of the major causes of non-glass headlight lenses fogging up. There are coating that do the same thing though

2 hours ago
CuckservativeSissy

The amount of time wasted doing this when you can just buy replacement lights for when they get too yellow is absurd

1 hour ago
Blockade10040

It's so the car only pays attention to the road ahead

59 minutes ago
sasquatch753

Tell ypur dad fo make sure to apply spf-100 sunscreen to the car every 90 minutes, or the paint is going to burn.

59 minutes ago
SadOperation6828

Might deflect radiation if Nth Korea dropped the bomb . It would make night driving alot of fun . 🤩

30 minutes ago
Rotated2Bits

UV degrades plastic. If he only uncovers light we driving and keeps covered other 10+ hours of daylight, maybe he on to something.

23 minutes ago
halftoe76

Lights (cover) are acrylic which is very colour stable. It is Polyester -which looks the same -that turns yellow-ish.

20 hours ago
Lumpy_FPV

Mf really pulled out the "ACKSHUALLY ☝🏼🤓" ahh reply

17 hours ago
halftoe76

Op did ask for help to convince his dad

16 hours ago
TechMan61

😴 ahh car

13 hours ago