[naha_music]

i've been wanting to tint out my headlights and taill lights for awhile now, but i'm kinda wary about them online headlight film stores, ie. [url]http://headlightfilms.com/osc/ford-fusion-smoked-headlight-film-protection-p-406.html [/url] .  i don't wanna spend $40+ and end up with some cheap window tint that i could have gotten at autozone or something.  anyone have any experience with any of these places or experiment themselves with regular window tint? 

 

[bassnutz]

I just ordered a set. I also sent out an email asking about brake light tints.

 

[swoop1156]

Why would you want to tint your brake lights? Stupid, if you ask me. I want people to SEE me stopping.

 

[ming321]

I just bought a smoke tint set from Rvinyl.com. Personally I think it looks really nice and makes the car unique (I'm not a huge fan of the chrome taillights). The tint looks dark enough, but not so much that you can't see the brakelights. I considered buying window tint at Autozone, but did some reading and it says DO NOT apply to plastics, etc. It didn't explain why, but just stated it was for glass application only. Rvinyl says their tint is removable and won't damage the plastic. It applies to the outside so you don't have to crack open the lens to get inside. I don't plan on tinting my 3rd light.

 

[lammer]

[quote author=ming321 link=topic=54069.msg898306#msg898306 date=1155953167]
I just bought a smoke tint set from Rvinyl.com.  Personally I think it looks really nice and makes the car unique (I'm not a huge fan of the chrome taillights).  The tint looks dark enough, but not so much that you can't see the brakelights.  I considered buying window tint at Autozone, but did some reading and it says DO NOT apply to plastics, etc.  It didn't explain why, but just stated it was for glass application only.  Rvinyl says their tint is removable and won't damage the plastic.  It applies to the outside so you don't have to crack open the lens to get inside.  I don't plan on tinting my 3rd light.
[/quote]
I'd love to see how it all turns out. Be sure to post some pix

 

[ming321]

I wish I had some good pictures to post, but my experiment didn't work. The vinyl film seemed to be a good quality, but the problem is our taillights (and the installer- me). I tried heating it with a hairdryer and I used soapy water so I could work with it, but the curve of the light makes it almost impossible. A professional tinter might be able to make the curve, but not an amatuer. If we had flat taillights, or if the curve was constant, it would be do-able. The way the curve is angled makes it not work. When I realized it wasn't going to work, I went ahead and cut it to the edges and it looked great (except for the wrinkles). I wish I could have made it work- I think it would have looked awesome.

 

[naha_music]

i was experimenting using regular window tint (35%) with the headlights today.  i kept on getting creases on the top of the headlights, so i decided to cut it where the high beams end.  i think i'm gonna try again with something alittle darker and do the whole headlight using two pieces (seperating them headlight and the high beams) to avoid any creases.  let me know what you all think...

                                        BEFORE...                                                                                                    AFTER.....

 

[Metallicat]

Why don't you try VHT NiteShades coating. You basically spray it on in layers on the outside of the lights, more coats = darker tinting.

"VHT's Nite Shades coating is a transparent black taillight lens coating for creating a custom look. When applied to taillights, fog lights, or turn indicators, VHT Nite Shades appears black--until the lights are lit. Then the natural color appears; red, in the case of taillights. It's recommended for off-road use only, as it may not be legal in some areas."

 

[naha_music]

[quote author=Metallicat link=topic=54069.msg900014#msg900014 date=1156085508]
Why don't you try VHT NiteShades coating.  You basically spray it on in layers on the outside of the lights, more coats = darker tinting. 
[/quote]

i haven't tryed using VHT NiteShades yet, but i have used other similiar products in the past with other cars. the problem with those is that it's almost impossible to spray an even coat out of the can. when the lights are off, they look fine, but as soon as you turn the lights on, you can see the oversprays, undersprays, etc...

 

[swoop1156]

Hey Naha_Music... What is your username about?

Naha is the capitol city of Okinawa, Japan. They had cool Kimutaka music there, as well as Eisa. Can you share what your name means?

 

[ming321]

I'd thought about the nightshades and even looked for it at local auto parts stores (didn't find it). My main concern was getting an even coat, and it looking consistent over the entire lens. I did find a use for the leftover tint- I used it on the amber side marker lights by the front wheelwell. I don't know if it's technically legal- it still looks somewhat amber, and it still lights up well. Looks pretty good on a tungsten silver car.

 

[naha_music]

[quote author=swoop1156 link=topic=54069.msg900189#msg900189 date=1156099380]
Hey Naha_Music...  What is your username about?

Naha is the capitol city of Okinawa, Japan.  They had cool Kimutaka music there, as well as Eisa.  Can you share what your name means?
[/quote]
i'm not sure if its still there, but it's the real name for 'the stage'... i'm sure if it's still open, you'd know the place i was talk'n about!

 

[swoop1156]

Haha, yeah -- I know that place! Pfft, the stage, lol. Whew, the memories.

 

[Boggus]

I used the Nightshades on my SRT-4 taillights some time ago. It went on well and once I sprayed it with clear the finish turned out excellent.

* Most any car performance place will carry it *