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General Information => Upgrades (non engine related ) => Topic started by: catlin_cava on September 08, 2009, 01:21:06 pm

Title: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: catlin_cava 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.
(http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww344/calin_cava/IMG_0151.jpg)
One on the left is not sanded, one on the right is
(http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww344/calin_cava/IMG_0150.jpg)

Now Start applying THIN coats and give it a few minutes to dry between coats.
(http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww344/calin_cava/IMG_0153.jpg)

Apply till you get the shade you want.(next to the one not shaded) BE CAREFUL NOT TO GO TOO DARK!
(http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww344/calin_cava/IMG_0154.jpg)

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
(http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww344/calin_cava/IMG_0156.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: maxfax 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
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: Op-Ivy 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".
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: catlin_cava 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
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: Op-Ivy 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. :)
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: catlin_cava 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.
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on September 12, 2009, 08:34:31 am: Quote from: maxfax 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

amen to that. now we just need to start runnin duals, then we could have built in tinting all the way across.
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: mr.woods 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.
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: catlin_cava on September 21, 2009, 02:19:48 pm: Heres a Picture of them on the car
(http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww344/calin_cava/BackofGolf.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: ashleyroe on October 03, 2009, 03:58:35 pm: i perfer lamin-x

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/pointyourgun2/DSCN4127.jpg)

;D
Title: Re: DIY: Tail light tinting
Post by: catlin_cava 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