View Full Version : Tinted tailights paint or tint


ambigyous2
03-17-2009, 07:08 PM
So i was talking to a couple of tint shops and they were reluctant at tinting my tailights, and one guy gave me a number to have them painted. I have never heard of that what do the scion professionals think. If you know of a good shop around the chicago area can you let me know.

tweetertc
03-17-2009, 07:56 PM
Xtreme Graphics can tint it i believe with some vinyl... always good work..

630 782 5400



then any paint shop should be able to mix black and clear to tint tails its just this might get kinda pricey...

plmars
03-17-2009, 08:20 PM
DONT TINT. Never looks good.

Paint is the way to go.

DONT PAY any shop to do that.

DO IT YOURSELF. Its not that hard.

Go visit Rays Electronics on Lake St in Addison and buy VHT paint for lights.

Paint them. Wet sand them. Looks amazing. If you would rather have someone else do it RIGHT. PM ragingbull78

ladyb_06tc
03-17-2009, 08:39 PM
you could always do it yourself. (painting, i mean).

if you check out this DIY, it will def. help.

sorry the link is so long. just copy and paste it in your browser. http://www.yoursciontc.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=27674&hl=tinted+tailights


hope this helps![/code]

burstaneurysm
03-18-2009, 03:13 AM
Xtreme tinted mine and I think they look great.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q44/burstaneurysm/Rack/7c67b765.jpg

teck22
03-18-2009, 07:10 AM
DONT TINT. Never looks good.

Paint is the way to go.

DONT PAY any shop to do that.

DO IT YOURSELF. Its not that hard.

Go visit Rays Electronics on Lake St in Addison and buy VHT paint for lights.

Paint them. Wet sand them. Looks amazing. If you would rather have someone else do it RIGHT. PM ragingbull78

ragingbull78, i second that.

plmars
03-18-2009, 03:42 PM
Xtreme tinted mine and I think they look great.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q44/burstaneurysm/Rack/7c67b765.jpg

IMHO its all about the details. The problem with tint is that there is no way to make it fit perfectly around the corners. From up close you can see the folds and the spacing. Paint when done right looks flawlessly like it came that way.

burstaneurysm
03-18-2009, 04:21 PM
Maybe on the tC tails, since they're curvier, but the xB tails don't have too much curve. No wrinkles on mine.

burstaneurysm
03-18-2009, 04:23 PM
Also, it's way easier to reverse it if you ever need/want to.

Mouse
03-18-2009, 04:35 PM
So i was talking to a couple of tint shops and they were reluctant at tinting my tailights, and one guy gave me a number to have them painted. I have never heard of that what do the scion professionals think. If you know of a good shop around the chicago area can you let me know.

3M makes a good film for lenses which is a few mm's thicker than standard film to be more resistant since it's applied on the outside of the vehicle. I had it on my 06 tC, looked great and held up very well.
Whether to tint or leave clear is all personal preference just like any other mod.

The law in my state says that at night, if you can see the tail lights reasonably well at 300 ft back then it's perfectly legal. You may want to check with your state to see. Just ask any police officer...they can tell you what is legal and what isnt there where you live.

Last but not least...I would suggest doing the 3M film instead of paint...that way if you go somewhere that it isnt legal OR you change your mind or scheme for your car it comes back off the same way as removing window tint film and wont damage the tail light lenses at all. If you paint...you're pretty much stuck with them.

ladyb_06tc
03-18-2009, 04:42 PM
where can you get this 3M film? i like that idea.

Mouse
03-18-2009, 04:52 PM
^^ ladyb.... just simply check with your local good quality auto window tinting places...they should be able to help you. On the tC I would suggest having them do it b/c with the curves in the rear lenses...its not easy to do unless you have a lot of experience doing it. I had it done on my 06 tC and it only cost me about 40 bucks and that included the film.

Ragingbull78
03-22-2009, 10:59 PM
I just did his Tail lights and 3rd brake light today.. came out great as usual.. I hope he post some pics for ya'll.. he also decided on some window tints as well..

Lets just say.. he left a happy man...

BlueFlamedScion
03-23-2009, 06:32 PM
Best thing to use is called VHT nightshades . You can order it from Summit !!!! But don't spray to much or the light won't shine threw !

GQQSE13
03-23-2009, 08:07 PM
might sound dumb, but whats odd of getting pulled over for tinting/painting tails?

plmars
03-23-2009, 09:40 PM
Never heard of anyone that did.

Mouse
03-23-2009, 09:49 PM
might sound dumb, but whats odd of getting pulled over for tinting/painting tails?


Like I posted earlier in this thread.... just ask a local police officer in your area on the matter. They can tell you the specific legalities for your area/state.
Just as an example...where I live in CO.... it is legal to tint your rear lenses as long as especially at night... the light can be seen a minimum of 300 ft. behind you. As long as you do that...it's perfectly legal and you can fight it if you follow the laws for your area.

Mouse
03-23-2009, 09:53 PM
oh I should toss this out there... the police in my area stated that they dont know of ANY state where it is legal to tint your front lenses. Now with that said.. I do know it is legal to have clear put on your front lenses. There is one from 3M that is really strong and optically clear.... it's great against rocks that fly up from a vehicle in front of you. It keeps the lenses from cracking unless you get a huge rock. So it can save you a decent amount of green of having to replace a broken headlight lens.

ambigyous2
03-24-2009, 07:04 PM
Ragingbull 78 did a sick job i told all my customers at sprint about him expect to be busy for the spring sir.[/img]

alenehan
04-22-2009, 04:23 AM
Hmmm... can i get said VHT stuff at autozone? or where can i get it....

captainlaziness
04-22-2009, 04:31 AM
Hmmm... can i get said VHT stuff at autozone? or where can i get it....

Best thing to use is called VHT nightshades . You can order it from Summit !!!! But don't spray to much or the light won't shine threw !

Linky (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=vht-sp999)

Ragingbull78
04-22-2009, 01:47 PM
i get it locally at a place by me.. and regular auto parts stores don't carry it..