Taillight tint problems! AGAIN!!!!!
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 147
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From: C-town and the Bridge
2008 C230
Taillight tint problems! AGAIN!!!!!
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?
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?
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
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.
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From: Irvine, CA
C300 Sport, MM, P1
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From: Fort Myers, FL
'09 C300 4Matic Sport
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
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
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From: Calgary, AB
2012 C63 AMG
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.
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From: Fort Myers, FL
'09 C300 4Matic Sport
That's exactly what I was told from the shop I went to
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From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
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.
Last edited by Derspeed; Aug 4, 2009 at 01:53 PM.
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From: Read the name
C300 4matic Sport, CBR 954
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From: Toronto
2009 C300 4Matic
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.
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From: Calgary, AB
2012 C63 AMG
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.
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From: Carlsbad California
C350 and a Lightning.
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
It might be different in other states, I'd check if I were you
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
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.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Carlsbad California
C350 and a Lightning.
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.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Charlotte, NC
Past: C350, 2015 CLS63, 2016 AMG GTS Current:2019 G63 AMG, 2022 Ram TRX, 2022 Maserati MC20
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?
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?
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Posts: 396
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From: Inland Empire, CA
C300, 330i, MDX
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From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Stock is one thing altered is another. Look, I'm not saying don't do it or don't break the law,
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.
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.
