questions about lightly smoked tails

[chanke4252]

hey everyone, I just have a couple of questions about smoking tail-lights since I've never done it before. First though, I really don't want to smoke them too darkly so that I am a cop magnet or people cannot see my lights. Just a little bit to take some of the very red color out of them when they aren't lit up, and in the areas that aren't lit when they are lit up.

1. Where can I get the products I need to do this? I've found kits and stuff on ebay, but this stuff is usually a lot darker than I want to go and there is rarely something available in the shape needed for the 06-07's.

2. Does it require my taking my tail lights apart or is the material put on the outside of the housing?

3. Are there any durability issues with this stuff. Will I have to redo it in a couple years or will it last?

That's about it. Any help, or pictures of your car with this done would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Demonik]

the best stuff I have heard of is called "nightshades" a local shop might have some but your best bet is online. If you dont want it too dark just get one can. Its like spray paint so application is easy, just sweeping motion back and forth, not too close.

While you dont need to remove the headlights from the car, it does make it alot easier and you dont have to worry about taping off the car in any way.

The nightshades stuff is supposed to be awesome in terms of durability as long as you let it dry for the right amount of time.

[chanke4252]

aren't there issues with getting it on evenly? I don't want to make it blotchy.

[Demonik]

not really, but it is best to practice, so maybe buying 2 cans, finding something to try it out on would be the best...but I have heard its not that hard at all....

obviously dont leave the can in one spot to long while your spraying

[chanke4252]

are there any other options that don't involve spraying?

[HCF]

http://www.decalstyling.com/smoked_tail_light_film.html

Haven't tried this myself.. but from what I understand.. use a heat gun or a blow dryer and strech it over the back of the lens. The ebay is cut to fit exactly.. and peels because of the seam. If you stretch it around the back.., in theory it should stay in place.. also.. this is not permanent.. it could be removed.

Again, haven't done this myself yet.. but my neighbors look awesome! He said it took about an hour a lens to get all of the air bubbles out and he wrapped it around the back.. it has survived the winter so far with out any peeling or anything.

Keep us posted on what you go with.. pictures would be appreciated.

[KunalPatel87]

You should divide the taillight into 3 parts (turn signal, led cluster & reflector/reverse light) and tint (in a strip, end to end) the entire turn signal and reflector/reverse light areas only. I saw this once on someone's car in NY and it looked GREAT. The non-tinted led cluster will flow better with your 3rd brake light (unless you're tinting that too) and would be safer overall.

I heard "vinyl" tint is best for tinting taillights, but it's real dark. See:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/KunalPatel87/2608857_4_full.jpg

[chanke4252]

yah, that's REALLY dark. I'd be concerned with being pulled over and having it pulled off. that would be really annoying. plus there is the issue of the brake lights being much less visible that I don't really want to deal with. arrg. I guess nightshades is my best option in terms of flexibility of how dark it is, though I'd rather lay a film than spray. Would a tint shop have other options in terms of darkness of the tint?

[josh52382]

Why not just go to walmart or something and buy tint as light as you want it and put it on your car. I thin kthat would work and that way you can find out better way to secure it so it will not come off.

[chanke4252]

that's one option, though the tint that is made for windows isn't going to be very durable and will scratch REALLY easily. Unless they carry a different kind. thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out tomorrow.

[KunalPatel87]

That can stuff is almost guaranteed to turn purple when exposed to sunlight.

Call around tint shops and ask what they can offer you. It's just like window tinting and clear bras so it's best to be done professionally with some kind of warranty included.