Tinting tail lights

The stock tail lights are the hardest thing to tint!

It took forever to do that one.

 

hopefully the 2nd one will be a little easier/faster. I really want to do mine

 

Looks great.

 

Noice!

 

It's not the prettiest job. I did it off the vehicle. The second one I'm going to try doing on the vehicle. You should do it. Cheaper than swapping them out. I'm using vivid+ air release headlight tint. I did it previously with some wet application but that didn't go on so well because of the vortex generators

 

Thinking a lite coat of Linex in a can may be easier......

 

Wait. How? spray? if it was vinyl how did you get over the fin? Could you take a closeup up the fin if you did it with vinyl?

Also, did you switch to LED to increase light output?

****you posted at the same time I did. Still interested in the closeup of the fin and how TF you did it!

 

I did a spray and it looked horrible! I used vinyl it's not so pretty around the fins. I'll get a close up. I have plenty of tint so once I get the other side done if I do a better job I will redo the left side. To get over the fins I made a small hole in the tint to get air out. I have led tails light bulbs on order... will be here tomorrow

 

Like said, it's not pretty. Once I do the other side I'll know if I can do this successfully. It was hard off the truck.. but it's so windy outside I didnt want to do it... maybe I'll get to the other side tomorrow if it's not so windy

 

I do think I can get it around the fins properly. When I get to the other we will see though. Might not be able to do it good enough.

 

JK, being silly.

Would think Linex coated lights would not turn out well, would also need mega LED Lumens!

 

I spent at least 2 hours tring to get the fins to look perfect. Watched several videos on how to wrap complex shapes and threw in the towel.

Good luck though!

 

paint and clear coat is the best.

 

Agree never have to worry about them again!! I had it done in my 08 now I need to find some one to do my 17.

 

I paid $60 to get my 2 tail lights and brake light cover done. local paint guy in the South bay. was worth it.

 

That’s cheaaappp. My friend did mine but he’s long gone from Cali so now I’m looking.

 

I may have to look into that... I have a spray gun just never really thought of doing that... hmmm. YouTube here I come

 

What my friend did was get clear coat and add couple dots of black paint until you get the tint you want and spray away

 

One of the faster ways to get pulled over here in TX

 

How did the other side turn out? Did you use a heat gun to try to get the vinyl around the fins? Been thinking about doing this on my truck and have been hesitant. Do you have a link to the vinyl you used?

 

I have not had a chance to get back out there... it's been rainy and windy. Hopefully I'll have sometime to clean the garage out and get back to it... here is a link for the tint I used

$12 VViViD Air-Tint Dark Black 20% Blackout Anti-UV Headlight Tinting 16"es x 48"es Feet Extra Large Full Car Vinyl Wrap Roll

VViViD Air-Tint Dark Black 20%...


I did use a heat gun. I need to replace my xacto blade cause the one I used wasn't very sharp. And it may help to poke holes in the tint to get air pockets out. For just having the one side done I got a lot of compliments. And the tint is the perfect color

 

Good to know. 20% looks about perfect, just wondering if you've ever thought it was too dark? How does the light transfer through it during the day?

 

So I had my friends behind me one day when it was super bright outside and they said it looked bright. They said that although it was tinted they could see the brakes and turn signal. Also I had my wife step on the brake so I could see and it looked well lit in day light.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

If you end up tinting it share some pictures. Also I just thought about this... I used heat gun but I think it was way too hot. Next time I'm going to use a hair dryer

 

Just ordered some tint. I'll post pics if it turns out ok... hahaha

 

Tinted tail lights look great until I rear end you in broad daylight because your tail lights are too dark for me to see that you're stopping or turning. I hope you've put brighter bulbs in to compensate for the darker lenses?!?

 

I have led bulbs in there now and they are bright.

 

I used a spray gun and black cherry paint. Came out fine around the fins

 

I am impressed with everyone’s ingenuity and willingness to try new things. I will follow others example after they have already got the bugs out. Personally,though, I can never figure out why tail lights ( or headlights)need to be tinted to make them darker. I always want the brightest lights for others to see me. Here in Utah,with the selfish and fickle drivers, I need all the warnings I need to dodge the idiots!