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Tinting my tail lights with film.

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Old 03-08-2012, 11:42 AM
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Tinting my tail lights with film.

ok so i bought about 2 feet of tinting film since our tail lights are pretty big considering that we have 2 pieces on each side..i bought it for $30...now is this method better than just spraying it? and will it hold up through a wash?
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Old 03-08-2012, 11:43 AM
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No idea...seems most ppl just use the niteshades or w/e it is called..the spray stuff
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Old 03-08-2012, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Amerikaner83
No idea...seems most ppl just use the niteshades or w/e it is called..the spray stuff
yeah i seen a lot of ppl using the nightshades...my friend recommended me to use the film..i just dont know how well it'll hold up through weather and washes compared to the spray
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Old 03-08-2012, 11:58 AM
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I've got film on my tails, has been on there for2 years...i havent had any problems out of them since. Even when washing with a pressured sprayer. I think they look as good as Sprayed ones too.



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Old 03-08-2012, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by MAX/GTR
I've got film on my tails, has been on there for2 years...i havent had any problems out of them since. Even when washing with a pressured sprayer. I think they look as good as Sprayed ones too.





those look good man... how much film did you end up using?
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Old 03-08-2012, 12:06 PM
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You can do it whichever way you want you will get equally good results with each if you take your time and do it right. If you use vht nite shades less is more you dont want to go too black or else it will look dumb. Use like 3 coats of it and then go over that with 1-2 coats of clear coat and if i were you i would tape off where your reverse light is so you can still see when you back up at night. As far as tinting goes just take your time and it will come out great! Good luck and cant wait to see final pictures!
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Old 03-09-2012, 06:01 AM
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Originally Posted by odawg23
those look good man... how much film did you end up using?
Thanks man, I can't remember totally for sure but, it was a roll. But just get a squeegy some soapy water, and an exacto knife and have some paitence...and a heat gun def helps. They also sell pre cut kits on ebay also that'll probably be alot easier.
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Old 03-09-2012, 06:38 AM
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did you put on a 5th gen cattman/megan axleback?!??!
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Old 03-09-2012, 07:54 AM
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^^^+1 ..... But Don't use the spray . If you lay to much down , the light won't be visible . Just use the tint & if for some reason you get tired of the look , you can just tear it off .
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Old 03-09-2012, 08:40 AM
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what percentage is that tint? 35%?
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Old 03-09-2012, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by MAX/GTR
I've got film on my tails, has been on there for2 years...i havent had any problems out of them since. Even when washing with a pressured sprayer. I think they look as good as Sprayed ones too.
They look okay. Not my style IMHO but what makes them look worse is that your 3rd brake light is untinted. Throw a layer of film on that *****.
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Old 03-09-2012, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by ChrisMan287
They look okay. Not my style IMHO but what makes them look worse is that your 3rd brake light is untinted. Throw a layer of film on that *****.
they look good i have a white car so black will look good and about that 3rd brake light lmao
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Old 03-09-2012, 10:50 AM
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i was thinkin about doing my third brake light. but i made my tails pretty dark to murder my maxi out. and i felt like leaving one visible light for the po-pos lol
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Old 03-09-2012, 11:00 AM
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Old 03-09-2012, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by GGENIUS
i was thinkin about doing my third brake light. but i made my tails pretty dark to murder my maxi out. and i felt like leaving one visible light for the po-pos lol
have they ever given u any trouble for the tints?
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Old 03-09-2012, 11:39 AM
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What kind of tint did you get? Are they for lights?
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Old 03-09-2012, 12:17 PM
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Originally Posted by moNYtx
What kind of tint did you get? Are they for lights?
yea i did i made sure i told the guy they were for my tail lightsthe film looks like a darkish forest green on the paper...but im pretty sure he gave me the right thing
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Old 03-09-2012, 04:09 PM
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i painted mine by mixing black base with clearcoat and spraying them with a gun. ive never actually gotten a ticket for my taillights but i have been pulled over and for them and they tell me that they think its illegal. and then give me like an obstruction of view ticket.
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Old 03-09-2012, 04:16 PM
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When mine were smoked I got a ticket not a month after. The smoke/film takes away the reflective quality of the taillights and thats what they ticket you for. Not being too dark but its kind of one in the same
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Old 03-09-2012, 04:42 PM
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My kevlos are smoked... not sure.if its spray or tint but its dark as hell until i hit brakes
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Old 03-09-2012, 09:54 PM
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It's 20% I think...The exhaust is just a custom axle back I had put on when I first got it nothing special, and honestly I never really thought about doing the third brake light...I'm switching to RED/CLEARS soon so I'm gonna only smoke the Red portion and maybe I'll do that one too. Neve been pulled over for it either, have even had cops behind me and still not say anything...they are pretty visible.
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Old 03-10-2012, 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Metallica


what kind of mudflaps you got? i been looking for some and can never find any. the ones I have are too small and my car gets splashed still
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Old 03-10-2012, 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by GGENIUS
i was thinkin about doing my third brake light. but i made my tails pretty dark to murder my maxi out. and i felt like leaving one visible light for the po-pos lol

all mine blacked out pretty dark, dont usually see any problems from them, as long as there visable when the lights are on you should be fine
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Old 03-10-2012, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by odawg23
what kind of mudflaps you got? i been looking for some and can never find any. the ones I have are too small and my car gets splashed still
those are oem i got the same ones
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Old 03-10-2012, 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ShocknAwe
When mine were smoked I got a ticket not a month after. The smoke/film takes away the reflective quality of the taillights and thats what they ticket you for. Not being too dark but its kind of one in the same
the level of darkness determines how much the reflictive meterial can reflect. mine are dark but when the sun or light is shining on them, you can still see the reflective.
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Old 03-22-2012, 12:59 PM
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ok so i finally tinted them this is my final look...i ended up with some air bubbles but they came out looking ok..and that black glue is f#$%ing evil lol

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Old 03-22-2012, 02:28 PM
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DAMN those are dark. But it is overcast in the pic too. Post one of the lights on as well.

Looks good I think!
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Old 03-22-2012, 03:01 PM
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Not bad, just not my style I guess. Now, what I cannot stand is tinted headlights. Just today I parked next to a newer MonteCarlo and the headlights were tinted almost solid black. I'd hate to drive that car at night...

Back OT though, looks good as far as application goes!
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Old 03-22-2012, 03:04 PM
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Old 03-22-2012, 04:36 PM
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howd you get air bubbles while tinting that little amount of area? didnt you use soapy water?

im also only really a fan of smoked lights on a black car. where it all kind of flows together.
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Old 03-22-2012, 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by GGENIUS
howd you get air bubbles while tinting that little amount of area? didnt you use soapy water?

im also only really a fan of smoked lights on a black car. where it all kind of flows together.
nope...all i did was clean them with water and detergent and dried them..i tried rly hard not to get air bubbles but every time i put the hot air over it the air bubbles came back..but its ok its my first time so now i know what to look for next time lol..ill post pics with the lights on later but overall it looks ok..i need a new paint job too lol
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Old 03-22-2012, 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by GGENIUS
howd you get air bubbles while tinting that little amount of area? didnt you use soapy water?

im also only really a fan of smoked lights on a black car. where it all kind of flows together.
nope...all i did was clean them with water and detergent and dried them..i tried rly hard not to get air bubbles but every time i put the hot air over it the air bubbles came back..but its ok its my first time so now i know what to look for next time lol..ill post pics with the lights on later but overall it looks ok..i need a new paint job too lol
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Old 03-23-2012, 04:26 AM
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Originally Posted by odawg23
nope...all i did was clean them with water and detergent and dried them..i tried rly hard not to get air bubbles but every time i put the hot air over it the air bubbles came back..but its ok its my first time so now i know what to look for next time lol..ill post pics with the lights on later but overall it looks ok..i need a new paint job too lol
all you have to do is use soapy water and a squeegee device and you wont get any bubbles if you have a brain in your head.
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Old 03-23-2012, 04:27 AM
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you start at the middle, and squeegee outwards. towards the edges.
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Old 03-25-2012, 06:20 PM
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yea i did that but i guess i missed a few pointers but over all im ok with it being my 1st time and all next time i will def do a better job. anyways heres a view of it with the lights on Name:  2012-03-25185825.jpg
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Old 03-26-2012, 07:12 AM
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For what it is, it looks pretty good to me.

BUT: is your 3rd brake light not working?
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Amerikaner83
For what it is, it looks pretty good to me.

BUT: is your 3rd brake light not working?
yea it is i just couldnt step on the brake and take a pic at the same time lol so i just put parking brake on and the hazards on and took the pic lol
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Old 03-26-2012, 10:56 PM
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ypu ive had film for2 years now and it still looks great. only i donthave myreverse lights covered. Need allthe helpi can backing in the driveway at night with 5% on the windows. Pics in myalbum.
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:01 PM
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looks good ! , but i perfer the red on clear ones
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Old 03-27-2012, 03:58 AM
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no thanks, cop magnet for sure
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