Howdy guys and gals.

I'm thinking of tinting my rear lights. I pressume I just get tint spray, clean and dry them, and then apply a light coating or two?

Any tips or recommendations for which tint/make to use??

Is it easy to get a good finish DIY? Windows tints were rather tricky to do!

Also, I presume its pretty much irreversible?


Cheers,

Kristian

i used a tinting spray on my lights, its easy to do as long as you clean up your lenses well. let each coat dry before applying another coat. i used 4-5 coats n they went pitch black but still passed mot . the tint i used was called savage, and if you change your mind after applying tint it can be removed, it tells you what 2 do on the back of the spray can

we sell tint spray in our shop and its good!

dont put it on too thick as it will run (from experience) and also it does darken as it dries! so take your time and do a thin coat at a time!

EDIT also let them dry in a warm place. i left mine outside in middle of feb and they spray went a frosty white as it dried.

i tinted my own lights last saturday, you must have seen them at the stoke meet ;-)

i kept the lights on when i did it, i just covered the car in newspaper so i didnt tint my boot lol. just do light even coats and let them dry before the next one because it'll run and end up looking pants. i did about 5 coats and they look smart, imo anyway! it'll be easier to take the lights off.. but i couldnt be bothered at the time.

I saw your lights at the stoke meet, thats the final stray for me deciding to do it

I got the savage stuff in the end. I'll follow your tips and the instructions and fingers crossed it looks good

Post piccies once I've finally done it

Cheers,

Kristian

do you need to apply lacquer to the lights after the tint spray? and *squints* ow much fer a can of that gear?

ooppsss, no reply from me lol

I'll take a pic tomo!

No laquer for me, but it looks nice matt imho

Halfords is £14 but they had none in stock, so £11 delivered off ebay....got loads left though

Kristian

666weasel said:

do you need to apply lacquer to the lights after the tint spray? and *squints* ow much fer a can of that gear?

Click to expand...

Your possibly best to but on my old mk1 I just cleaned up any imperfections with a gentle t-cut - choice is entirely yours!

Oppsss, late as ever lol.

Here is a pic I just took, thats 4 coats, its not solid black, but is very dark, but the light output is fine

I may laquer at some point, not sure if i like it matt or gloss.

Anyways, enjoy

That looks so stealthy...I <3 it

Looks good.

Your best to clean your lights firstly with an alcohol solution of some kinda to really make sure they have been cleaned, but you'll need to leave it to dry overnight to make sure it doesnt react.

Im planning on doing some cinq ones, to see how they come out.

Ross

I gave them a good scrubbing with isopropynol, but only left it about 10 mins, not overnight....seemed to work fine

Kristian

The best way is to use light tinting spray sold at most car shops such as halfords and apply a few coats then get some very fine sandpaper and give them a quick rub down clean them and give another couple of coats
but remember to ensure that the reflector part of your lights is still visible and reflects otherwise they are illegal

chris punto 55s

fiat55s said:

The best way is to use light tinting spray sold at most car shops such as halfords and apply a few coats then get some very fine sandpaper and give them a quick rub down clean them and give another couple of coats
but remember to ensure that the reflector part of your lights is still visible and reflects otherwise they are illegal

chris punto 55s

Click to expand...

as long as theres a reflector on the back of your car its ok to make teh one in the light not visable!

Okies, the tinting does look good, I'm satisfied now, and I'm also happy the coats are even and not too dark, but still noticeable.

however...I love the mat look but its not practical! Whenever I wax, i get some on the lights, and as they are "pitted" due to the tint, they are a pain to clean.

Here comes lacquer!

What kind though? Regular car paint lacquer or a special plastics one?

i guess i can give a good 4-5 coats of the stuff to make sure it survives over time.

One last thing before I do it, tint doesn't fade dramatically does it?? Presume not, but if I lacquer, last thing i want is to strip it all off



Kristian

i am thinking about doing mine! how reversible is the process if i do not like the look of them once they are done? or they are too bright?? thanks

jamesgamby1989 said:

i am thinking about doing mine! how reversible is the process if i do not like the look of them once they are done? or they are too bright?? thanks

Click to expand...

if i do mine, im going to lacquer them afterwards

i think i am going to attempt it but have some back up cash to buy the aftermarket black ones if i do not like how they come out and look against the car.