How should I TINT my TAIL LIGHTS?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 581
Likes: 13
From: NJ
C350
How should I TINT my TAIL LIGHTS?
When I first had my car, I was playing around and put tint film on the middle of the reverse light (white part). I actually peeled the film off before it completely dried.
I'm looking to do that again actually...The photo attached is what it looked like.
What I did was basic...traced the light with a pencil and paper and then cut out the tint film accordingly, put windex on the light and placed it on the light
.
I wasnt sure whether the tint film would last because of the weather and the tint is for windows and that it usually inside...
What should I do? I heard tint spray is hard to remove
Please help!
I'm looking to do that again actually...The photo attached is what it looked like.
What I did was basic...traced the light with a pencil and paper and then cut out the tint film accordingly, put windex on the light and placed it on the light
.
I wasnt sure whether the tint film would last because of the weather and the tint is for windows and that it usually inside...
What should I do? I heard tint spray is hard to remove
Please help!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
2008 c300 4matic
i believe u have 3 options:
1) use the tint spray again but tape off everything but the part u want tinted or take the tail lights out and then do it with taping.
2)use vinyl tint film , use a air squeegee thingy and remove the air bubbles.
3)professional tinting...
DRAWBACK: option 1 and 3 and probably gonna be unable to be undone. You could buy new taillights if you wanted.
2 might be the best. ebay or any vinyl supply retailer should be able to get you tinited transparent films....
just my $.02
1) use the tint spray again but tape off everything but the part u want tinted or take the tail lights out and then do it with taping.
2)use vinyl tint film , use a air squeegee thingy and remove the air bubbles.
3)professional tinting...
DRAWBACK: option 1 and 3 and probably gonna be unable to be undone. You could buy new taillights if you wanted.
2 might be the best. ebay or any vinyl supply retailer should be able to get you tinited transparent films....
just my $.02
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 47
From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
lamin-x makes tail lights films sets. They are pre-cut for the entire light but you could modify as needed. They also sell generic sheets that can be custom cut (might be better if you are only doing the reverse lights). I want to tint the red but leave the white.
http://www.lamin-x.com/product-p/mb226.htm
http://www.lamin-x.com/product-p/mb226.htm
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 581
Likes: 13
From: NJ
C350
Thanks for the suggestions and help!
I'm really forward on getting the films.
Does it have to be a certain type?Can I just go to autozone or walmart and get some film?
Will it last well?
I'm really forward on getting the films.
Does it have to be a certain type?Can I just go to autozone or walmart and get some film?
Will it last well?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
C350 Sport 4M
paint or vinyl. But I'm not sure I'd do just the white part.... either whole or leave the white...
btw.. spray can be undone if you use something called "lens painter" ... basically you use isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) to take it off.. its basically a rattlecan.
http://www.k2motor.com/lenspainter.html
btw.. spray can be undone if you use something called "lens painter" ... basically you use isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) to take it off.. its basically a rattlecan.
http://www.k2motor.com/lenspainter.html
Last edited by german-anger; Jan 3, 2009 at 05:01 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC
2008 Mercedes C300 4Matic
paint or vinyl. But I'm not sure I'd do just the white part.... either whole or leave the white...
btw.. spray can be undone if you use something called "lens painter" ... basically you use isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) to take it off.. its basically a rattlecan.
http://www.k2motor.com/lenspainter.html
btw.. spray can be undone if you use something called "lens painter" ... basically you use isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) to take it off.. its basically a rattlecan.
http://www.k2motor.com/lenspainter.html
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
C300 4MATIC (w204)
For anyone looking for the middle part of the tint...
I own a graphics/plotter and i have the Vector file for the exact middle shape so a professional can cut it for you. You can go to your local graphics store and give them the file to cut it. Bring your own material though! Stickercity.com sells bulk-uncut sheets by the feet.
PM me if you would like the Vector File.
If a graphics shop tries to charge you for a setup fee, that is BS! All they have to do is put in the material, open the vector file, and cut it. They should only charge you to cut it. If they say otherwise, for instance: "we need to change the vector file to work with our software" thats BS! don't fall for it.
I would cut it for you guys but I dont have any smoke taillight film in stock and I dont think I'm aloud to sell on here with out being a sponsor.
I own a graphics/plotter and i have the Vector file for the exact middle shape so a professional can cut it for you. You can go to your local graphics store and give them the file to cut it. Bring your own material though! Stickercity.com sells bulk-uncut sheets by the feet.
PM me if you would like the Vector File.
If a graphics shop tries to charge you for a setup fee, that is BS! All they have to do is put in the material, open the vector file, and cut it. They should only charge you to cut it. If they say otherwise, for instance: "we need to change the vector file to work with our software" thats BS! don't fall for it.
I would cut it for you guys but I dont have any smoke taillight film in stock and I dont think I'm aloud to sell on here with out being a sponsor.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
C350 Sport 4M
For example with the 'lens painter' stuff its basically a smoke.. It will darken what you spray with a gray/black hue. Basically spray evenly and spray light layers and let it dry, worst thing is making the paint run, because it will run dark black =(. But yeah use masking tape and mask off the white part and then spray everything else. I also suggest masking off the body of the car with newspaper or something just so you don't end up overspraying the stuff onto the car. 
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
C300 4MATIC (w204)
smoked taillight protection film has an outdoor life of 10years. I dont think painting it is more durable 
.
BTW- Smoked Vinyl and Smoked Protection Film are two DIFFERENT things.
Vinyl is 1mm (micro).
Smoked Protection Film is usually 17mm (micro) but there are some cheap companies making 8mm too.
. BTW- Smoked Vinyl and Smoked Protection Film are two DIFFERENT things.
Vinyl is 1mm (micro).
Smoked Protection Film is usually 17mm (micro) but there are some cheap companies making 8mm too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
smoked taillight protection film has an outdoor life of 10years. I dont think painting it is more durable .
BTW- Smoked Vinyl and Smoked Protection Film are two DIFFERENT things.
Vinyl is 1mm (micro).
Smoked Protection Film is usually 17mm (micro) but there are some cheap companies making 8mm too.
. BTW- Smoked Vinyl and Smoked Protection Film are two DIFFERENT things.
Vinyl is 1mm (micro).
Smoked Protection Film is usually 17mm (micro) but there are some cheap companies making 8mm too.
learn to read. Vinyl has a general life of 2-4 years with a max of 7 years, thus painting is more durable. Then there's the added issue of film/vinyl is applies to the outside, and although this does protected the light housing, it does also expose it to scratches, chips, and all the other elements. With cheaper films you might find on ebay, there's a possibly of bubbling, cracking, peeling, and yellowing. Painting is on the inside and protected from those elements. Best would be painting, and using a clear protection film. And paint protection film can go down to 6mm (3M), which is what Nascar uses. JS Design Factory (http://www.jsdesignfactory.com/) runs their operation right out of our shop, so I know all the shortfalls of vinyl. Paint over vinyl. Paint vs Protection Film
Can make an argument either way.
Last edited by Azn_C300; Jan 5, 2009 at 04:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 581
Likes: 13
From: NJ
C350
how about these, does anyone know about them? any opinions?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/08-Me...3A1|240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/08-Me...3A1|240%3A1318
