Tinting Taillights?

Looking to black out my taillights then later doing the headlight mod but i was just wondering, is it alright to put a dark tint over the taillights or just buy some taillight covers.

 

I am thinking about doing it but just with something really light so it gives it a smoke look. I wouldn't want to black them out all the way because I don't want to get rear ended and have it be my fault.

And it is illegal anyways.

 

Go pickup some VHT NightShades or Rustoleum Lens Tint.. it works great, i did mine myself and took no longer than 30 minutes.. just let the paint dry for a couple hours. Then get SILVERSTAR bulbs for 10 bucks.. cops dont give you a hard time.

 

+1

These are my tail lights. I wanna say I put like 3 coats on..

 

Niteshades is really easy to apply and you can determine how dark you want it.

Click below my sig for the write up

 

These three options are the most common

1. Smoked vinyl - Like $7 on ebay for enough to cover the lights. Easy to apply and remove for inspection. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SMOK...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e60497056

2. Nightshade - Doesn't always turn out right for the guy doing it for the first time. Might get a run or heavy spots. Doesn't always turn out real glossy either.

3. Bodyshop - Have someone you know with a body shop get clearcoat and put a couple drops of black paint and spray them. Get an awesome glossy even finish that matches the clearcoat of the truck.

I did #3 lightly on my last truck and they turned out awesome and never had the cops bother me...

 

nightshades

 

My buddy had his done with the clear coat.. looked amazing

 

This was my last truck with the clear coat done





Most the time the painter will do it for free. When they finish up a car they can put black in the remaining clear and spray them down and your done.

 

Used Niteshades on mine. 2 light coats of tint spray and 4 coats of clear. Wet sanded and polished them to a mirror finish.

Don't forget to do the third brake light.......

 

Mine with niteshades

 

I want to tint mine also but will it effect the lights itself?

 

Had mine done by a local body shop, $60.00.

 

it will effect light output but it depends on how much you tint. You can also tape off the reverse light section to keep them bright.

 

Bus Driver, I have read your excellent write up and am wondering why the lens have to be sanded down before the Nite Shade application. Can't you just spray it on to the lens without sanding?

 

Won't adhere as good and will run bad

 

^Correct

The viscosity of the VHT is way thinner than regular spray paint due to its transparent properties so the sanded surface will give the first layer something to grab to, leaving texture for the next couple of coats.

 

I agree about wet sanding the lens prior to tinting.

After wet sanding the lens, I put on 2 lights coats of tint, 3 coats of clear, wet sanded, applied 1 more of clear, wet sanded again, then polished with Turtle wax liquid polishing compound using a battery drill with a Mothers Powerball. They shined like glass.....

 

Thanks for clearing that up everyone!

 

im going to lightly tint mine soon too. here is bus drivers write up :http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/84694-how-tinting-tail-lights-right-way-pics.html