Finally got pics of my smoked red-clears and sidemarkers *pics*
Finally got pics of my smoked red-clears and sidemarkers *pics*
4 coats of VHT Niteshades and a couple coats of clearcoat...needs more clearcoat tho. Came out awesome...just like the FD RX7s that I wanted them to look like. Nighttime and daytime lighting is good...actually i think my signals are more visible tinted bc when they were clear the light didnt really contrast much with the clear...but now the light shines out from a dark housing so it stands out more.
looks good, man. I happen to like the little side marker light like the VW's and BMW's and other German makes have.
However, I hardly believe that the visibility is more now that you tinted your tail lights. By definition, tinting, means to make darker. Thus, there is no way that they are better than stock or even red/clear. I am not sure if I would do this because, yeah, it looks cool, but the whole point of tail lights is to have visibility when braking.
However, I hardly believe that the visibility is more now that you tinted your tail lights. By definition, tinting, means to make darker. Thus, there is no way that they are better than stock or even red/clear. I am not sure if I would do this because, yeah, it looks cool, but the whole point of tail lights is to have visibility when braking.
Originally Posted by Oblongshapes
nice, i like it... where did you get your niteshades... im trying to get rid of the horrible amber 
Originally Posted by Brudaddy
looks good, man. I happen to like the little side marker light like the VW's and BMW's and other German makes have.
However, I hardly believe that the visibility is more now that you tinted your tail lights. By definition, tinting, means to make darker. Thus, there is no way that they are better than stock or even red/clear. I am not sure if I would do this because, yeah, it looks cool, but the whole point of tail lights is to have visibility when braking.
However, I hardly believe that the visibility is more now that you tinted your tail lights. By definition, tinting, means to make darker. Thus, there is no way that they are better than stock or even red/clear. I am not sure if I would do this because, yeah, it looks cool, but the whole point of tail lights is to have visibility when braking.
Well, I guess the contrast would be a littler greater. It looks cool, so it is good that you can still see your lights.
There just has to be a loss of some visibility(not just contrast) though. That is all I was saying. But really, if you can see the brake lights, what else do you need? I mean, it doesn't have to be overkill bright like LED's or anything.
There just has to be a loss of some visibility(not just contrast) though. That is all I was saying. But really, if you can see the brake lights, what else do you need? I mean, it doesn't have to be overkill bright like LED's or anything.
Originally Posted by Brudaddy
Well, I guess the contrast would be a littler greater. It looks cool, so it is good that you can still see your lights.
There just has to be a loss of some visibility(not just contrast) though. That is all I was saying. But really, if you can see the brake lights, what else do you need? I mean, it doesn't have to be overkill bright like LED's or anything.
There just has to be a loss of some visibility(not just contrast) though. That is all I was saying. But really, if you can see the brake lights, what else do you need? I mean, it doesn't have to be overkill bright like LED's or anything.
Originally Posted by max2max-98se
very nice man ur max looks great with the smoked clears and sidemarker. i think i seen ur max before in glendale cuz our the only i seen with dual muffler for 4gen.
Nice job on the tails Luda...I think the only thing they need is a coat of some high gloss clear coat, and maybe tint the third brake light in the spoiler the same way. I did mine and it blends in perfectly with the black spoiler.
Silvia- It lights up white...I doubt I will get pulled over for these. They aren't anywhere close to being blackouts. If they were completely blacked out tho there'd be a chance id get pulled over tho bc the law says you need the rear reflectors to be fully visible. But i should be fine (knocks on wood)
JncoRacer- I was thinking of doing that but I like having the 3rd brake light brighter than the rest so it's more obvious that I'm braking..just for the really blind ppl out there.
I'll definetly be getting some more layers of clearcoat on them sometime.
JncoRacer- I was thinking of doing that but I like having the 3rd brake light brighter than the rest so it's more obvious that I'm braking..just for the really blind ppl out there.
I'll definetly be getting some more layers of clearcoat on them sometime.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 808
Originally Posted by Ludacris
www.summitracing.com i think it came out to $18 shipped...
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 119
ok...since DTM is tinting the clear part of the taillight, and Ludacris tinted the whole thing....how would it look if you did maybe 2 coats of nightshade on just the red and clear-coated the shiet out of it...think it would look nice? any good PS'ers?
thanks for the compliments guys 
happyrice- cleaned the outside of the lense and just sprayed the niteshades on
99max5sp- they are definetly dull right now...it was night and I needed the car the next day so I just threw the lights back on with only a couple light coats of clearcoat
Like you i was getting tired of the red-clears...didn't really like the DTM and I always liked how the RX7 tails looked so I just gave it a shot and am very happy.
MadChef- its dark when there is no direct lighting...but even then you can still make out the red-clear colors. Like I said earlier...friends have driven behind me and said the lighting is completely visible and obvious.
happyrice- cleaned the outside of the lense and just sprayed the niteshades on
99max5sp- they are definetly dull right now...it was night and I needed the car the next day so I just threw the lights back on with only a couple light coats of clearcoat
Like you i was getting tired of the red-clears...didn't really like the DTM and I always liked how the RX7 tails looked so I just gave it a shot and am very happy.MadChef- its dark when there is no direct lighting...but even then you can still make out the red-clear colors. Like I said earlier...friends have driven behind me and said the lighting is completely visible and obvious.
Originally Posted by Ludacris
haha probably...im at the galleria/marketplace kinda often..is that where you saw it? have any pics of your car? I'd love to see how bronze TE-37s look on a dark car..
hey guys...i found this great instruction on line and mind as well share with you guys. i think ludacris had similar approach, anywayZ here it is:
credit: bill wren
import notes:
where to buy? http://www.summitracing.com
part #VHT-SP999
direct url >> http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=both&part=VHT
price: $11.99 for 7 oz + shipping
actual product:
Originally Posted by bill wren
Taillight Blackout
Taillight blackout using VHT
Nightshades tint (link to the before and after pictures are at the end of the instructions):
1. Get the tint. Just about any auto parts store can get it for you. I had mine overnighted, but you can also order it through www.summitracing.com you'll
have to pay shipping and wait for it. It's VHT Nightshades (the hi-temp paint people), and judging by the smell of the stuff, it' ain't coming off with alcohol....
especially after clearcoating. The part number is VHT-SP999. It's a 7oz can, they don't carry the 11oz. Buy two just to make sure.
2. Remove all 4 pieces of your taillights. Each fixture has 3 nuts to be removed. Mark your lamp assemblies with tape if you're
not sure where they go. Remember, it'll be 4-6 hours before you put this back together.
3. Thoroughly clean each lens with rubbing alcohol and paper towels. Mask off everything except the lenses with masking tape and newspaper. If you have tinted windows on your car, or if you plan to, mask off your reverse light lenses. You won't want to sacrifice any of this light with dark windows. Use the blue or green painter's tape.
4. Lay all 4 pieces in a protected, masked-off area in a horizontal position. This spray is very thin and likes to run. Spray one LIGHT coat on each part. Let it dry for at least 5 minutes, and repeat. VHT recommends 3 coats. You want to do one coat at a time on all 4 pieces to keep the amount of tint uniform among all pieces. I did 4 coats to hide some blemishes and lens delamination. 3 wasn't quite enough to hide this.
5. Let the tint dry for a minimum of 3-4 hours after the last coat. If you don't like the matte finish, I suggest 2 coats of Krylon Acrylic Satin Clearcoat. It dries very fast. Apply these coats 5 minutes
apart, and let dry for 30 minutes after the last coat.
6. Remove all masking EXCEPT the reverse lenses. Before pulling the masking tape from the reverse lenses, carefully score the edge of the tape with a razor blade or small X-acto knife so the tape doesn't peel the tint. Now carefully remove the tape.
7. Re-install your lights in the car, and prepare to look cool.
Taillight blackout using VHT
Nightshades tint (link to the before and after pictures are at the end of the instructions):
1. Get the tint. Just about any auto parts store can get it for you. I had mine overnighted, but you can also order it through www.summitracing.com you'll
have to pay shipping and wait for it. It's VHT Nightshades (the hi-temp paint people), and judging by the smell of the stuff, it' ain't coming off with alcohol....
especially after clearcoating. The part number is VHT-SP999. It's a 7oz can, they don't carry the 11oz. Buy two just to make sure.
2. Remove all 4 pieces of your taillights. Each fixture has 3 nuts to be removed. Mark your lamp assemblies with tape if you're
not sure where they go. Remember, it'll be 4-6 hours before you put this back together.
3. Thoroughly clean each lens with rubbing alcohol and paper towels. Mask off everything except the lenses with masking tape and newspaper. If you have tinted windows on your car, or if you plan to, mask off your reverse light lenses. You won't want to sacrifice any of this light with dark windows. Use the blue or green painter's tape.
4. Lay all 4 pieces in a protected, masked-off area in a horizontal position. This spray is very thin and likes to run. Spray one LIGHT coat on each part. Let it dry for at least 5 minutes, and repeat. VHT recommends 3 coats. You want to do one coat at a time on all 4 pieces to keep the amount of tint uniform among all pieces. I did 4 coats to hide some blemishes and lens delamination. 3 wasn't quite enough to hide this.
5. Let the tint dry for a minimum of 3-4 hours after the last coat. If you don't like the matte finish, I suggest 2 coats of Krylon Acrylic Satin Clearcoat. It dries very fast. Apply these coats 5 minutes
apart, and let dry for 30 minutes after the last coat.
6. Remove all masking EXCEPT the reverse lenses. Before pulling the masking tape from the reverse lenses, carefully score the edge of the tape with a razor blade or small X-acto knife so the tape doesn't peel the tint. Now carefully remove the tape.
7. Re-install your lights in the car, and prepare to look cool.
import notes:
where to buy? http://www.summitracing.com
part #VHT-SP999
direct url >> http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=both&part=VHT
price: $11.99 for 7 oz + shipping
actual product:
Originally Posted by Ludacris
thanks for the compliments guys
happyrice- cleaned the outside of the lense and just sprayed the niteshades on
happyrice- cleaned the outside of the lense and just sprayed the niteshades on
btw where did you get the nightshades? on line or local autoshop?
Originally Posted by happyricefob
hrmm...i mite do it on my altezzas and see how that turn out. although it's already carbon fibered, but hopefully it'll blend in with my exterior color better.
btw where did you get the nightshades? on line or local autoshop?
btw where did you get the nightshades? on line or local autoshop?
check out jncoracers car...he posted in here, he has smoked altezzas..they look nice
Donating Maxima.org Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,748
Originally Posted by happyricefob
wow...they do look pretty nice
thx That silver lining around them is really an eyesore IMHO...
Ludacris - I know alot about the rushing deal with the car. This is my only car so it cant be down for any long period of time. I'd say when you get a chance, throw some more clear coat and take some new pics.
Also as strict as california is, have you gotten or do you think you will get hassled by inspections/cops? Im lucky in florida we dont have any of that, but i know in cali if you sneeze wrong your in trouble...
Eric
Originally Posted by 99Maxima5sp
That silver lining around them is really an eyesore IMHO...
Ludacris - I know alot about the rushing deal with the car. This is my only car so it cant be down for any long period of time. I'd say when you get a chance, throw some more clear coat and take some new pics.
Also as strict as california is, have you gotten or do you think you will get hassled by inspections/cops? Im lucky in florida we dont have any of that, but i know in cali if you sneeze wrong your in trouble...
Eric
Ludacris - I know alot about the rushing deal with the car. This is my only car so it cant be down for any long period of time. I'd say when you get a chance, throw some more clear coat and take some new pics.
Also as strict as california is, have you gotten or do you think you will get hassled by inspections/cops? Im lucky in florida we dont have any of that, but i know in cali if you sneeze wrong your in trouble...
Eric
Originally Posted by happyricefob
wow...they do look pretty nice
thx OK, the silver trim was on there for like a week. It is an eyesore and looks worse in person. It was changed to black. They're not tinted with the Nightshades, they were taken apart and all the chrome reflective surfaces were changed from chrome to gloss black. Alas, I grew tired of these lights and threw my stock tails back on. I think I'm gonna try to tint those.
Originally Posted by JNCoRacer
OK, a few hours later and I tinted my altezza's. They pretty much look like Ludacris' tails except a little different. I'll post up pics tomorrow.
thanks for the compliment will
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