Window Tint as overlay or Nite Shades?

[AccordWarrior]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about tinting a set of tail lights (not my 92-93 red/clears), but I'm torn on how to do it. I want red/black, but I don't want to make it so the signals aren't visible.

In the past I had a set of 90-91 red/black tails that looked amazing, but I had used RC Car Spray window tint. It was a really glossy look and I was really imrpessed with it. The problem lies in the person I sold them to hit it with a high pressure hose and it all came off, so I don't want to do that again and have that happen. In addition, my friends said it was hard to see my signal at night.

I've seen VHT Niteshades, but it seems like that leaves a very very dull finish, which I don't want. Also i don't know if I would be able to get a dark color that's consistent throughout and have it still look nice.

So, I was thinking about using some 35%-higher window tint from a place like Walmart and just using that as an overlay, similar to what is advertised for newer cars. I figure it doesn't have to last all that long, and if I bought a whole roll, I could always re-apply after the winter in case it gets scraped off.

Any thoughts on doing this? If I recall correctly, Prez808 used window tint. I just remember what my old tail lights looked like and I want to have those done for a longer period of time than they lasted. I'm only doing the amber section, but I don't want the lights to not be visible either.

[cp[mike]]

well as long as you lay an even coat, any spray-on tint can be made to be glossy by polishing (preceded by a fine grit wetsand if its that bad), but if i were you id just throw a layer of film on. if you clean the lenses really well beforehand and dont leave any loose edges of film overhanging (which will make it peel easily) itll probably stay for a good long while, itll be perfectly even, its removable, less hassle, and its cheap.

id try 35%, would probably be just enough to tint it dark but still be transparent enough.

[Ralphie]

yea 35% would be a good deal. The rolls are like 40$ and its a cheap easy way to keep those tails looking pimpin. I do like this look. Dont see it all too often.

[MikeW]

i would think black would be hard to do w/o sacrificing turn signal visibilty. A friend used spary tint, think it was VHT, or something, it came in this tiny, 6in tall can, and we just took the lights off and gave it a few even coats. He didnt want a real dark tint, just anice shade or two darker. He had a 00 accord and we did the whole rear lights, the light on the wing, and his 2 rear sidemarkers with one can so... Id go with spray and like mke said you could always polish it. As far as actual tint film goes, i would think that it would peel or someone could pull it off and youd have to keep replacing it more than once or twice a year

[CustomLowz]

i would think black would be hard to do w/o sacrificing turn signal visibilty. A friend used spary tint, think it was VHT, or something, it came in this tiny, 6in tall can, and we just took the lights off and gave it a few even coats. He didnt want a real dark tint, just anice shade or two darker. He had a 00 accord and we did the whole rear lights, the light on the wing, and his 2 rear sidemarkers with one can so... Id go with spray and like mke said you could always polish it. As far as actual tint film goes, i would think that it would peel or someone could pull it off and youd have to keep replacing it more than once or twice a year

Thats the stuff I want to use on my truck tail lights. Black Blazer, with Black windows, and Black lights... Pimp! <-- Now gimme your panties.

[MikeW]

But im not wearing any....

[TypeG]

i've had good luck with the night shades. i didn't have any hazyness and didn't have to polish it. if you look closley, you can see a reflection of the ground in the blinker. later.

[AccordWarrior]

i've had good luck with the night shades. i didn't have any hazyness and didn't have to polish it. if you look closley, you can see a reflection of the ground in the blinker. later.

I can't look at the picture b/c work photo restrictions just came back up, but I'm sure since its you that it looks amazing. Have you had any issues with it coming off? Did you sand/scuff your lens first?

I tried this before and had amazing results, but it never saw any weather/water, and when it did it came off. The last thing I want to do is have it come off all weird after the weather. That's why I had initially thought about tint.

[blackoutt]

i would think black would be hard to do w/o sacrificing turn signal visibilty. A friend used spary tint, think it was VHT, or something, it came in this tiny, 6in tall can, and we just took the lights off and gave it a few even coats. He didnt want a real dark tint, just anice shade or two darker. He had a 00 accord and we did the whole rear lights, the light on the wing, and his 2 rear sidemarkers with one can so... Id go with spray and like mke said you could always polish it. As far as actual tint film goes, i would think that it would peel or someone could pull it off and youd have to keep replacing it more than once or twice a year

Yeah use the VHT paint I had done it on my old altima a while back and I still see the car now 5 yrs later and the taillights look just the way I did them then....just don't make any runs it will show up when u hit the brakes!!

[Boost_Lee]

Lamin-X...ive heard great things...

[accordtypeR]

hey buddy go for it...

[AccordWarrior]

Update...

I bought window thing, and to my dismay, its not a peel and stick kind, but a static cling type thing? It says right on it not to use on plastic, so I'm assuming that it won't work.

I odn't know if I want to go the nite shade route or not, since its not my car lol.

[phatdoughnut]

Just go with spray on

[HondaB18]

I dunno how people use the spray tint and have it come out nicely. Just yesterday I attempted to tint my friend's rear taillight and it came out nice and smooth. But when we went to install it with the brakes on, we could basically see patches of area where some parts were darker then others. Yes I was careful when painting.

[TypeG]

I can't look at the picture b/c work photo restrictions just came back up, but I'm sure since its you that it looks amazing. Have you had any issues with it coming off? Did you sand/scuff your lens first?

I tried this before and had amazing results, but it never saw any weather/water, and when it did it came off. The last thing I want to do is have it come off all weird after the weather. That's why I had initially thought about tint.

i have never had any problems with it peeling. i didn't sand, i just cleaned with rubbing alcohol and glass cleaner. it seems to bond to plastic very well.

i had to help my friend get it off his taillights and it was hard to get off. i tried to burn it off with polish and that didn't work. i finally ended up using brake cleaner. later.