Spray or tint to darken the rear lights?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: SoCal
a car that gets very poor gas mileage.
Spray or tint to darken the rear lights?
I'd like to darken my rear lights but not sure which way to go about doing it.
I've met some who like the tint method and have had no issues, while others tell me it can peel along the edges or fade. I've personally seen quite a few that have either faded or turned into a matte (flat) look.
Some have also suggested spraying the outside to give the lights the same effect and that washing will not affect the spray. It's not permanent because the spray can be removed with thinner or gas, but that sounds like it might cause a haze on the lens surface.
Anyway, I don't even know what materials/formula of spray people are using to do this.
Any feedback would be helpful.
Thanks.
I've met some who like the tint method and have had no issues, while others tell me it can peel along the edges or fade. I've personally seen quite a few that have either faded or turned into a matte (flat) look.
Some have also suggested spraying the outside to give the lights the same effect and that washing will not affect the spray. It's not permanent because the spray can be removed with thinner or gas, but that sounds like it might cause a haze on the lens surface.
Anyway, I don't even know what materials/formula of spray people are using to do this.
Any feedback would be helpful.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
a car that gets very poor gas mileage.
Thank you both for the replies.
EmE427, that's what I'm looking to do. Came out perfectly on your lights.
I can still see that there's a gloss on the surface.
Now, how did you keep from spraying the white portion of the lens so that the entire light assembly is not darkened? Painter's tape?
MBFLO, thanks. I see this product at Amazon bundled with a can of clear coat for $20. Not bad.
I guess the real trick is how to spray in even coats so that the lens are not completely black.
EmE427, that's what I'm looking to do. Came out perfectly on your lights.
I can still see that there's a gloss on the surface.
Now, how did you keep from spraying the white portion of the lens so that the entire light assembly is not darkened? Painter's tape?
MBFLO, thanks. I see this product at Amazon bundled with a can of clear coat for $20. Not bad.
I guess the real trick is how to spray in even coats so that the lens are not completely black.
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
Go to HMS in Orange County they will do a light coat of paint... they did this to my 997TT.
714 379 7770
Its cheap and they do an excellent job so you dont have to do it.
714 379 7770
Its cheap and they do an excellent job so you dont have to do it.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
a car that gets very poor gas mileage.
Thanks everyone for the input.
Sounds like spraying is the way to go.
Not one recommended tinting.
Definitely need someone who's done it many times before with proper gear to do this right as there's no way to control output from a spray can.
Sounds like spraying is the way to go.
Not one recommended tinting.
Definitely need someone who's done it many times before with proper gear to do this right as there's no way to control output from a spray can.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
1 for the Tint. Lol.
I had the red portion on my last 2 E's tinted, and the white portion on my newest one tinted.
I personally like the tint for the "cleanliness", as to not having to remove my tails to get them painted, or worse yet, having people paint them while on the car (anyone who would do that, run the hell away). I also like it because it can be removed easily, and seems more durable than paint, which needs to be waxed, and upkept just like regular paint.
I've never experienced peeling on any Tint, and any good shop with good materials will Warranty the tint for life, in regards to peeling or fading, etc. One negative of tint is that you can see the thick film around the edges of the tails, but it never bothered me and is hard to notice.
I had the red portion on my last 2 E's tinted, and the white portion on my newest one tinted.
I personally like the tint for the "cleanliness", as to not having to remove my tails to get them painted, or worse yet, having people paint them while on the car (anyone who would do that, run the hell away). I also like it because it can be removed easily, and seems more durable than paint, which needs to be waxed, and upkept just like regular paint.
I've never experienced peeling on any Tint, and any good shop with good materials will Warranty the tint for life, in regards to peeling or fading, etc. One negative of tint is that you can see the thick film around the edges of the tails, but it never bothered me and is hard to notice.
