Okay so I'd imagine this may be a stupid question but I'm very interested in knowing what process was used to tint the tail lights on all these max's that I see? More specifically the pictures that have the turn signal cut out I think it looks awesome but have only seen pre cut tint kits on ebay with no cut out for turn signal. I'd really appreciate any help, I'm hoping it's a kit I can buy and do myself and not something that I need to pay a shop to do as I just sunk a crap load on wheels and other mods but think this would add the finishing touch to the car.
Thanks guys

 

I had a place do it for me. They wrapped the whole taillight and manually cutout the turn signal area. Was $60 installed.

 

I taped mine off, spray tinted, sanded, clearcoated and sanded again myself. It's a process but I love the turnout...I get people thinking I had a body shop do it! 😎

 

 

Your taillights really look good! I wish I knew of a local shop that I can get this done.

 

I used Nite Shade on the lights and sanded it down. I did a complete spray because I felt that if I taped off the brake lights, there would be an edge from the spray between the two. Let me know what you think!

 

They look good how is the paint holding up on them and how many coats did you do.

 

I removed the tail lights and used Nite Shade. I did two coats. So far, it's been holding up really well, no imperfections.

 

Thank you brother! I think you could do it yourself though...honestly after baking/opening my headlights to paint the housings I wish I would've just done the same with my tails and tinted them from the inside. You could do it though!

 

On the armada forum, a guy used I think two coats of plastidip black, then a coat of smoked plastidip, then another coat of black and still the light is very transparent through it. On my previous ride I got a shop to use tint film and it lasted the whole time I had it before trading in for this ride...

 

I used http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/

Taped it off and did 3 coats. Light still coming thru

 

here is the link: http://www.clubarmada.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22876

i guess he only used matte black plasti dip but as you can see, light shines through nicely.

with vht, after a few years, it slowly fades from the weather, and it starts to look blotchy and faded. my friend did it on his g35 and 3 years later, its so ugly looking with the fade and he can't peel it off like plasti dip or tint film...

 

Do it right and legal....

 

Yeah 2 coats here and lights still bright

 

Just know that with the VHT that the lights WILL be matte finish which depending on the look you're going for, will not look good. I had a 2003 Mustang and it looked fine matte but on my Maxi I would have never thought of leaving it matte....maybe because it's black and stands out more matte?

 

I used VHT and sanded it down and I think it looks really good. I mean it's personal preference but IMO, it looks great.

 

With the sanding/polishing you're right it does look much better! I'm talking more about those that just hit it with the VHT and leave it as is....and definitely a no on the Plasti Dip Smoke! With sanding and even adding a clearcoat this not only adds protection but adds extra costs to sand/polish into to bring out a great shine.

 

Definitely. I wouldn't even consider Plastidip on my lights; the consistency just doesn't seem right to me for tinting, however I have never tried it.

 

Don't use VHT Nightshades. It is really dark and hard to create different light levels. I used Rustoleum Lens Tint. They sell it at Autozone. It is $14 a can which is outrageous but allows you to create much more custom levels of tint. I'll post pictures here in a bit. Vinyl overlays look good and are much less permanent. If you live in a hot area, they can wrinkle and shrink depending on the quality.

I removed my taillights and taped off everything but the clear middle part with the turn signal and reverse light. I wanted the inside to be a little darker than the outside. Sprayed one coat and then removed all the tape. Then sprayed the whole lights with another 3 coats. Then went ahead and sprayed on 3 coats of clear gloss enamel. Wet sanded with 2000 grit to get rid of the orange peel effect and then buffed with rubbing compound. Turned out really good.

 

@dr_2010SV: do you care to share how you did yours and do you have any other pics also? Yours are my favorite I've seen on the site.

Not sure I have the gumption to do it myself (don't wanna f 'em up) but yours are really well done so I figured I'd ask

 

Painted

 

Bro that is badass! Where did you get yours done?

 

I did them. The trick is masking each single LED light location so they get no tinting. Then do your Nite-shades and clear coating. I also masked the turns/back-up so they only got one coat of tint. Now I need to work on the front lights.

 

Great work dr! looking good. What clear coat did you use over top of them? Looks shinny and I've been skeptical for the nightshade cause it looks flat in many cases.
Cheers.

 

Thanks, I'm not sure since I pitched the can quite a while ago. Just remember to get a clear coat made for plastic's and that it has UV protection. Check out some of the You-tube videos for Nite-shade application.

 

Look at that big ol' booty! I like the look of those lights. They do look very clean and solid! I want to get that done to my Max ASAP!

 

Thanks, I really wanted to do it so they would look as OEM as possible. Been tailed by LEO's numerous times and have had zero issues.