Tinting Brake Lights

I used a dremel with a thin cutting wheel. I did it myself but would definitely be easier with two people. I know there's a thread around here somewhere that says how to do it. Unfortunately I didn't take pics while doing it. It really isn't hard. Makes a mess and takes a lot more time than the head lights due to having to epoxy them back together.

 

this is what mine look like. Niteshades is tinted on the outside.

 

FMVSS 218 concerns motorcycle helmets

 

It concerns vehicle lighting and safety equipment in general.
Motorcycle helmets are just one subsection.

 

Tail lights are covered under FMVSS 108 and it looks like Arkansas has adopted the federal law (500 ft. Provision 816.080-3)

***** 816.080 Taillights. (1) Taillights shall be mounted on the rear of a vehicle.
***** (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, when lighted, taillights shall emit a red light.
***** (3) When lighted, taillights shall emit a light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.
***** (4) Taillights may be constructed so as to include registration plate lights.
***** (5) Taillights shall be wired so as to be lighted whenever the headlights or auxiliary lights are lighted.
***** (6) Taillights that are required under ORS 816.320 and 816.330 must be mounted, adjusted and aimed in accordance with the standards adopted by the Department of Transportation.
***** (7) Taillights that are required under ORS 816.320 and 816.330 and any part for such light that tends to change the original design or performance must be of a type that complies with standards adopted by the department under ORS 816.010.
***** (8) On a motor vehicle that was manufactured before 1959, the taillight or the taillight assembly, if the taillight is combined with another light, may contain a blue or purple insert of not more than one inch in diameter. [1983 c.338 §458 (5); 1985 c.16 §240 (5); 1985 c.69 §1 (5); 1985 c.71 §4 (5); 1985 c.393 §13 (5); 1985 c.420 §6 (5); 1997 c.492 §1; 2003 c.158 §23]
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Nightshade is probably the worse way to tint your tails ever...besides straight up rattle can black. You can always mess up paint and removal is not Easy.


I didn't see anyone suggest this, but what about vinyl? Personally I use Blue Batmobile high quality vinyl. I use the red oout for my celica tails. He is on multiple forums and trustworthy. You can ask to buy a sheet since i ddon't think he has pre-cuts for taco's.

Mess up?u have extra vinyl and can always peel it off

Email: bluebatmobile@san.rr.com

Gallery:
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/BlueBatmobile2005/?src=wap

 

Can I add some Derp

 

God those stock led tail lights are ugly

 

Nightshades worked great for me.

 

Nightshaded mine last weekend. Looked like shit. For me, two coats gave an even look, but way too dark. One coat was too splotchy. Wasted half a Saturday afternoon figuring that out. Spent an hour that Sunday scrubbing to remove the clearcoat and Nightshade. Spent the next hour and a half sanding, and hand-polishing to get that clean factory look back.

I will NOT be trying that again.

Around here, most taillights either are tinted like shit, or are pitch black. If our judges don't care about multiple DWI convictions, they damn sure don't care about taillight violations. /rant

 

I used nightshades on my MR2 and came out extremely well.

1. Light even coats, paint both lights side-by-side at the same time. Much easier to keep the tinting even.

2. Clear coat the outside. It will protect the nightshades from being scratched, lets you buff out small blemishes, and restores the glossy look.

3. Upgrade to high output bulbs or better yet high output LED lights. My tinted tails on my MR2 are actually brighter now than they were stock and untinted.

 

+1 on going to brighter lights.
No help for LED or 2nd Gen, but for the pre-facelift 1st Gen that still use the 1157 lamps, you can go with a 2357.
The taillight is the same wattage, but the "hot" filament is about 50% brighter.

I also recommend the 2357 for motorcycles.