Author Topic: DIY: Tail light tinting  (Read 6720 times)

September 08, 2009, 01:21:06 pm

catlin_cava

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DIY: Tail light tinting
« on: September 08, 2009, 01:21:06 pm »
So I got bored and decided to tint a set of MK3 Tail Lights for my new car. I know there are a few runs in them so TAKE YOUR TIME and Apply thin coats. Check Local Laws since this could be Illegal where you are at. I know it is here...But I couldn't care less they won't bother me.
You'll need a can of VHT Night Shade Light tint
2000 Grit Sand paper
and a sunny day, and a well ventalited place.
First you need to Sand down the light if you want to make it smooth as glass, I wet sanded with 2000 grit.

One on the left is not sanded, one on the right is


Now Start applying THIN coats and give it a few minutes to dry between coats.


Apply till you get the shade you want.(next to the one not shaded) BE CAREFUL NOT TO GO TOO DARK!


Then Let them dry good, about an hour to 3 hours in the sun will dry them good, and takes about 24 hours to cure properly
And your final result
Catlin

2012 VW Golf 2.5 5speed Deep Black Pearl
1999.5 VW Jetta TDI Bosch .216mm injectors and Malone stage 2, soon 11mm pump and vnt 22(parked for the winter)
2010 VW Golf City 2.0L "Hers"

Reply #1September 08, 2009, 01:36:34 pm

maxfax

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2009, 01:36:34 pm »
Very nice, but my Rabbit has built in tail light tinting..   At least for the left side  ;D

Reply #2September 09, 2009, 01:05:45 am

Op-Ivy

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2009, 01:05:45 am »
Don't forget to clearcoat!

Pactra also makes something that you can get in Canada. It's called "window tint".

Reply #3September 09, 2009, 05:30:08 am

catlin_cava

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2009, 05:30:08 am »
You can get vht in Canada , I'm in new Brunswick lol. You don't need clear coat with that stuff. I'm going to try another set later but will try clear coat then
Catlin

2012 VW Golf 2.5 5speed Deep Black Pearl
1999.5 VW Jetta TDI Bosch .216mm injectors and Malone stage 2, soon 11mm pump and vnt 22(parked for the winter)
2010 VW Golf City 2.0L "Hers"

Reply #4September 11, 2009, 11:52:51 am

Op-Ivy

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2009, 11:52:51 am »
Crazy! I know we can't get it anywhere here out west.

Clearcoat will protect the tint from being exposed to the elements. Rain and sun will fade it pretty quickly. Ask me how I know. :P

Plus the clearcoat will make it a little shinier. :)

Reply #5September 11, 2009, 06:21:10 pm

catlin_cava

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2009, 06:21:10 pm »
I have a new set of lights, that i'm going to redo and polish them, tint and clearcoat them.
Catlin

2012 VW Golf 2.5 5speed Deep Black Pearl
1999.5 VW Jetta TDI Bosch .216mm injectors and Malone stage 2, soon 11mm pump and vnt 22(parked for the winter)
2010 VW Golf City 2.0L "Hers"

Reply #6September 12, 2009, 08:34:31 am

Rabbit on Roids

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2009, 08:34:31 am »
Very nice, but my Rabbit has built in tail light tinting..   At least for the left side  ;D

amen to that. now we just need to start runnin duals, then we could have built in tinting all the way across.

Reply #7September 21, 2009, 05:35:39 am

mr.woods

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2009, 05:35:39 am »
I did mine yesterday. It didn't look so dark in the bright sun when I was spraying them, but do they look dark on the car. ::)  I cleared them also. I'll try to get a pick up later.
1.9 AAZ backed by a toyota tranny and dual cases, going into a rock crawler

Reply #8September 21, 2009, 02:19:48 pm

catlin_cava

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2009, 02:19:48 pm »
Heres a Picture of them on the car
Catlin

2012 VW Golf 2.5 5speed Deep Black Pearl
1999.5 VW Jetta TDI Bosch .216mm injectors and Malone stage 2, soon 11mm pump and vnt 22(parked for the winter)
2010 VW Golf City 2.0L "Hers"

Reply #9October 03, 2009, 03:58:35 pm

ashleyroe

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2009, 03:58:35 pm »
i perfer lamin-x



 ;D

Reply #10October 03, 2009, 04:36:58 pm

catlin_cava

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Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2009, 04:36:58 pm »
the lame X ones are nice, But I had headlight covers and blacked out front signal lights so I had to match the taillights lol....Even thou the light covers come off...and I had more signal lights in the barn ;D
Catlin

2012 VW Golf 2.5 5speed Deep Black Pearl
1999.5 VW Jetta TDI Bosch .216mm injectors and Malone stage 2, soon 11mm pump and vnt 22(parked for the winter)
2010 VW Golf City 2.0L "Hers"