kcheng86

Hey guys, I just tint spray my tail lights. It looks darker in person. but, I didnt put any clear coat and I was wondering where i can get clear coat? what brand is good? Is it true I have to get a certain one that works on plastic? my friend said if i dont use one that works on plastic, it will ruin it or eat your plastic??is that true? the tint spray I used is a japanese brand. Thanks in advance

here some picture:

rlee02135

i would recommend you respray it..looks kind of splotchy
thats how it will look in direct sunlight...
if you go a little darker, it wont be as noticeable.

i got my clear from autozone..any brand should be fine

Boom vang

and you are doing this because....?




I've always thought that MB had the nicest coloured plastic lights with a great finish. They looked rich. Now you got rid of that nice finish and from your pictures they look blotchy.

Now it looks like a lens made in East Germany for a Wartburg or Trabant with that famous DDR quality

advans

I recommend him NOT respraying it but to add tint film instead. so it gives it the glossy look w/o F-ing up.

here, my lights with TINTS.

rlee02135

the 05+ tails look very nice, but the 01-04 look faded...

Boom vang

I've read that for 05 they changed the lights but for the life of me when I compare my 04 to a 06 or 07 C class at the dealer I can not see any differences. Can you elaborate

advans

lemme show you.



OLD



NEW

rlee02135

better comparison:

OLD



NEW

advans

yeap, better comparision.

the old tail lights look like it was dipped in water for a very long time. and the color came off. the facelift tails look more "LED"ish which is a better color!

W Cole

In my expierience its pretty much impossible to tint over these types of tint sprays. I dont know the exact brand you used but from my expierience pretty much any clear coat will melt the underlying tint spray.

Also it looks like you have a lot of orange peel. I would sand this with 2000 grit paper then apply a few more coats of paint and then polish them - no clearcoat.

advans

he'll need more than just a few more coats. he'll have to first buff it out, then paint, the buff and paint, etc!

I never suggest using spray paints for tails. I have painted my maxima markers with spray tints, and I did regret doing that.

I do suggest using tint film for the projects. he can still save his lights, use a high grit sand paper and buff out as much as he can, then use tint film, it'll give him the black color, gloss, protection. Ive been USING tint film for a long time. no problem. they still look brand new.

Arn560

Does your wife know you used her kitchen to spray your tail lights?

W Cole

Did you use the film from www.stickercity.com? How much should I order for 2 tail lights and the middle brake light (this is going to be on my E Class).

edit: What darkness tint did you use? I think I want slightly lighter...

advans

heres how it probably was.

"hunny! why are there black spots on the counter top!?"

response: the kids did it.

T.O_c240

Quote: ADVANS
I recommend him NOT respraying it but to add tint film instead. so it gives it the glossy look w/o F-ing up.

hey i too think using film to tint is a good way to go and i was actually looking to do that to my 03 c240. I just need to find a reputable site. I saw that W Cole put up a site but i could only find tints for an 06+ S class. does anyone know or have experience with a good place that sells tint films?
Heres what my bro's mustang looks like (he's using films)

advans

stickercity is a great place to buy tint film. what you can do is buy a bulk film. 12"x24" (2 pieces) then do a custom job. that was what was done to my car.

W Cole

So $60 for both?

Seems expensive for a sticker. I got the tails on my C230 professionally tinted for $100.. looked perfect.

Boom vang

Tinting or blacking out

Is this just a case of what the flavour of the day? I have been 'round enough to see all the trends and it sort of 'what is good today is old school tomorrow'

~1990-1996 people were applying white pinstriping close together on the lenses making it look like blinds and the tail lights from 20' looked all white

~1996-2002 next came clear tail-lights and that was the rage until car companies started offering them standard like Nissan Altima, Lexus. The cheap aftermarket conversions you could not see whether the person was braking or indicating a turn as the light output is week

2003-present Opposite of clear and white, now it blacked out or dark tinted which only looks good if you have a black car or other dark colour

2009-2015 Plaid or polka-dot design or perhaps someone will find a chrome look that will let light through. if it is in SEMA or on the Mod circuit that will be the next flavour of the moment

2016-2022 Return to Red taillights as this has a wow factor and considered unique




Oh by the way headlights went through a similar pattern, at the time of the white striping, it was smoked lens covers making the lights blend in. Now it is having a crystal clear lens showing off your projectors or Bi-xen.

Only problem as found with the smoked head light covers is that your light output was minimal and it will be the same with the film or spray on the rears. I don't know about you but I like to be seen when I brake and that they can see my tails in a snow storm not to mention having the reflectors actually reflect back as I am parked so no one runs in to the back of my car and saying they could not see the car.

Ryanr317

Either respray it or get some new tail lights. When i've done lights in the past there is a glossy finish even before i put the clear coat on. That looks a little foggy as it is right now. As for clear coat, just go to your local auto parts store. Go to your local hobby shop and buy Pactra Racing Finish Window Tint. I find it works very well. Oh yea, you can use a little bit of alcohol to take the tint you have on it now off.

advans

it depends what kind of tints. the tints that I have on my car are 17mm in thickness.

T.O_c240

dam i'd do that too but im afraid ill just screw it up cuz of the contours of the lenses. What kinda difficulty are we talking about here? on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the hardest)

do tint shops that do windows normally do tail lights as well? id rather leave it to a professional than spend the money and screw it up myself.

rlee02135

you use a hair dryer and the stuff shrinks to the shape...
window tint is too thin..

Benzo0573

i did the spray stuff on my Saab when i had it, it only looks good only when its applied heavily for a dark finish

advans

yeap, but its hard to shape. well, for the coupe light its a biznitch to shape. but for the sedan, i would say its easier.

on a scale from 1-10, I would say 7 or 8. if your a dee dee dee, then lol no way you can get it. but if you have any knowledge of doing things with your hands. your good to go.

like rlee said, heat it up with a hair dryer, apply it on the light.
wait for it to shrink and shape. then use a flexible metal ruler and a #2 xacto (i perfer) to trim the extra. and shape it then

C43AMG

Advans,any chance you can post a pic of the rear of your car with your foot on the brake so I can see how it looks with the brake lights activated?