SL/R230: DIY, AMG Style Tail Lights!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 132
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From: Sacramento, CA
SL500
DIY, AMG Style Tail Lights!
Last night I was depressed about the economy and could not sleep so I decided to get up and tint my tail lights. LoL! I am kinda a weird guy, but hey it got my mind off of things. 
To start, buy some VHT night shades paint, and a can of automotive clear coat paint.
Then, clean your tail lights really good. You want to get all excess wax or armor all off. I used lacquer thiner, and went over the light three times with a fresh rag to make sure I cleaned it well.
Next, lay out the area you want to tint, and mask it off good. Then mask the car for any extra over spray.
After that, start painting the VHT. Do one even coat at a time. Remember you don't want to go too dark, because then your lights wont show up well.
1st Coat,
2nd Coat,
I put down about three coats of VHT, then two good coat of Clear Coat.
Then, I waited until it dried and color sanded out any of the imperfections using 1500 grit sand paper and water.
Finally, I buffed them out by hand using a 3M rubbing compound. After that I waxed them with a good carnauba wax.
All Done!!
I know some people might not like this. But I wanted AMG style lights and I didn't want to part with $700.00. Plus even if I destroyed the lights I would have just bought the AMG ones anyways. So no harm in trying. I am really happy with them. And the best part, it didn't cost me anything.
-Chris
To start, buy some VHT night shades paint, and a can of automotive clear coat paint.
Then, clean your tail lights really good. You want to get all excess wax or armor all off. I used lacquer thiner, and went over the light three times with a fresh rag to make sure I cleaned it well.
Next, lay out the area you want to tint, and mask it off good. Then mask the car for any extra over spray.
After that, start painting the VHT. Do one even coat at a time. Remember you don't want to go too dark, because then your lights wont show up well.
1st Coat,
2nd Coat,
I put down about three coats of VHT, then two good coat of Clear Coat.
Then, I waited until it dried and color sanded out any of the imperfections using 1500 grit sand paper and water.
Finally, I buffed them out by hand using a 3M rubbing compound. After that I waxed them with a good carnauba wax.
All Done!!
I know some people might not like this. But I wanted AMG style lights and I didn't want to part with $700.00. Plus even if I destroyed the lights I would have just bought the AMG ones anyways. So no harm in trying. I am really happy with them. And the best part, it didn't cost me anything.
-Chris
Last edited by DeLorean00; Jan 31, 2009 at 11:48 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 132
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From: Sacramento, CA
SL500
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 132
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From: Sacramento, CA
SL500
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
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From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
I'm not a big fan of the darkened strip on the taillight, especially on the silver car. It looks much better with a black car. I would wonder how tinting the whole taillight would look though. Does anyone have any pics of smoked/tinted taillights on a silver SL?
Rook
Rook
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
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From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
I like the way this looks (since my car is black) but I'm concerned with how well this paint will hold up over time. Anyone have any experience with it? I think I may try this but start with the 3rd brake light first.
Last edited by mikeinsf; Feb 16, 2009 at 05:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 132
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From: Sacramento, CA
SL500
It holds up great, for years on end!! I have do it on many cars before. Plus its not catalyzed so if you dont like it later on you can remove it with lacquer thinner without damaging the light.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
excellent job...however one suggestion...if you want it to look exactly like AMG tails, you should tint the entire taillight with a light shade of tint then go and do the middle stripe like you did...it will look just like the AMG tails that way...
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From: In a VAN down by the river
His wifes head hard into the headboard nightly!!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
There was a prior thread that showed a really aggressive tint job on a silver SL:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...autosport.html
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 86
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From: Long Island. NY.
2005 SL500 BLK/Charcoal Sport, Porsche 2013 Turbo Cayenne
I wonder if a good window tinting guy could tint the same strip on the tail lights?
I guess the problem might be as someone suggested, that the window tint is not meant to be exposed to the weather.
I guess the problem might be as someone suggested, that the window tint is not meant to be exposed to the weather.
