Cycosis

I had my taillights tinted about 2 months ago and it cost me $140. The guy charged me a premium because he said it would be difficult to install with the grooves. Well, after one month, the right side bubbled. I had it fixed a few weeks ago, and now the left side is bubbeling.

Im not impressed at all. I have a feeling the guy is going to blame it on the hot sun but I know alot fo you guys are from california where its hot all year round and have no problems.

Has anyone else had this type of issue? If so, hwo did you get it resolved?

Azn_C300

From your explanation, it sounded like you went with film tinting? And you paid $140 for it? Get it painted and you won't have any issues like that and will look better.

Savage c-300

Agreed. Plus you can just paint it yourself and save on labor. It's not hard at all!

vic viper

Why tint at all?, looks rice IMO.

NJBNZ

I went to the same shop that tinted my bro's tailights on his E350. Guy said that he would do mine but couldn't promise anything because of the design of the tailights (the grooves along the out edge and how the red and while portions aren't level). He said he would charge me $120 but assured me once he gets it on it would stay on. I didn't want to risk wasting the $120 b/c he didn't seem to confident. Think I may try spraying them instead

Azn_C300

Doesn't look rice if it's well done. Sharper and less bland/washed out/pale than stock.

Illusive

C-Town, you mean Calgary? If so, which shop did you go to?

Cycosis

Refine Automotive Saloon. Its getting ridiculous. I mean, the guys at the shop are nice and professional, but that doesnt help when the problem keeps reoccuring.

tanktube67

Medium tint

Illusive

The guys at Refine are great, they did my 3M and tint. I don't think its Refine as much as it is the tint. It's difficult to ensure the tint will retain the shape of the taillight given the complexity of the contours and the relatively small size (compared to the bumper etc.). I've had problems with a simple curve in a headlight before. If its only a little bit, it's probably as good as it is going to get. The higher temperatures and sunshine will actually promote adhesion of the tint as it will evaporate the solution they use to give them time to adjust it. Personally, I think its the contours of the taillight that are causing the problem, when you stretch that material, it likes to return back to its original shape and I'm sure there is some stretching to cover the taillight.

NJBNZ

+1

That's exactly what I was told from the shop I went to

Derspeed

I like the looks of the older Cs that have tinted tails from the factory. My Volvo has tinted tails and so did a Saab I once owned. Both done by the manufacturer. I also had a VW with Hella tails and they came tinted from the factory. I think it's a good look when the white area is slightly tinted. I think the Altezzas look ricey.

CrAZyVeGAsBoY

+1 film always causes problems

TB5...

yup mine f'ed up too... cause of streching... thank goodness lamin x sent another set for free... great customer service... just hope my tint guy learned his lesson from last time and does it better.

Illusive

I wouldn't say film always causes problems, they are just being used in the wrong applications. Simpler shapes and dimensions are better suited to film and you can always replace it after a certain period of time.

2tonOfun

Just so you know, in the state of California it is ilegal to alter your tail lights in any way and if you get rear ended, it's going to be your fault, no matter how bad the guy behind you screws up.

It might be different in other states, I'd check if I were you

Azn_C300

Cops don't give you problems with medium tints. Complete black out, yeah, but several cars come stock with cherry shade of tint or smoked whites. And as for being rear ended, it's not 100% at fault all the time....from experience and observations.

2tonOfun

Stock is one thing altered is another. Look, I'm not saying don't do it or don't break the law, this car has got to be the first car I've ever owned that didn't have an ilegal mod done to it. My point is that most ilegal mods I've done were in the quest for more hp or torque, not some cosmetic "mod" so if it were me, I wouldn't be willing to risk it for some "look". And I did have two LEO's tell me the same thing about getting rear ended. Now if it was going to net me more power and speed, no question.

I had some smoked tails, they were done very well and looked great but I got pulled over three times in as many weeks and bailed on them. That was in a loud 500 hp ride that did tend to attract attention (both bad and good). I could see where a C class Merc could slip under the radar pretty easy.

Again, I'm just saying.

kinjal

you cant properly tint your taillights do to the curves. you have to get them sprayed

C300S 6MT

Is there a DIY out there that I haven't seen? I apologize for the ignorance, but, how and what do i need to paint it cherry red?

TB5...

damn so NO ONE has gotten hem tinted properly???

****.

tanktube67

Take a look at post #9 and tell me how ilegal it looks.

Asianguy

I literally just got mine today from jonstintedtails in NJ and I can still smell the fresh paint:

These will go to an iridium silver.

patrickkc

I was just looking at tinting taillights. I was at Pmall yesterday and saw those spray on tints for $20-$30. Anybody know how well they work?

rb23lb