Darkening taillights

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

I want to darken my taillights but I can't decide which is the best method - paint or tint. If paint, what kind is best? If tint, what percent? I want my lights pretty dark. I read the write-up on painting them with the Pactera R/C paint. I am just wondering for those that have painted/tinted, how is it holding up? Which looks the best, especially for someone wanting a very dark look? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Ranga14]

The write up that has the paint listed is hard to find. You can go to most any auto store like Auto Zone and find some good taillight tint spray and it will do the trick nicely. It depends upon how many coats you use and if you want a shiny or more matted look. I went for matted and didn't use clear coat. I applied about 2 1/2 coats and it's dark but there's still a hint of red visible. Maybe 15% red, 85% black. Spraying is the easiest if you know how to spray in coats, otherwise take it to get tinted or buy some vinyl overlays but be warned, the vinyl overlays are a b**** to put on.

[toxik]

I used this tutorial and mine came out really good, I suggest just following this:

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/How_to_Smoke_Taillights

[mike6562]

the only thing about painting if you get pulled over for it. you either have to know a cop that is cool that will sign it off or buy new tail lights. on my truck i used vht nightshade i love the look. i got a fix it ticket for them but luckily i know a cop that just signed it of for me.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Mine are sprayed now but I wish I used tint film for two reasons.

1) They are so dark its getting dangerous. I only used one coat of the Rustoleum and during the day you can barely see any light output (brakes AND turn signals). Even merging or changing lanes on the highway is tough in traffic. Im sure I could have sprayed a little lighter but I couldnt get an even coat very easily.
2) The spray tint actually scratches rather easily. Im not sure if tint film would be the same, but I put a gnarly cut into one of mine with a fingernail.

If you do spray and mess up or need to remove it you can with Laquer thinner or Goof Off, just be careful with it because it will start to eat plastic and sick things like that if its left to sit too long. I had 3 coats of spray tint on at one point anf Goof Off took it all off no problem.

[GrayCoupe]

Just use VHT niteshades, I've used the rotora tinting, but didn't like the outcome. once you begin painting, make sure that you stop before it's totally black, once the paint dries it goes darker!

[johnnir3volution]

I want to darken my taillights but I can't decide which is the best method - paint or tint. If paint, what kind is best? If tint, what percent? I want my lights pretty dark. I read the write-up on painting them with the Pactera R/C paint. I am just wondering for those that have painted/tinted, how is it holding up? Which looks the best, especially for someone wanting a very dark look? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Where are you located? If you're in the dfw tx area I can definitely help you out. I've done many cars and have a lot of the smoke vinyl at the house just incase the dealership wants me to work on their car

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

Thanks guys! I appreciate all the input.

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

Thanks man, but I'm in Nashville, TN.

[Ranga14]

I used this tutorial and mine came out really good, I suggest just following this:

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/How_to_Smoke_Taillights

Yeah, uh, DON'T' spray them while they're still installed on the car like that tutorial shows, never a good idea.

I only used one coat of the Rustoleum

lol, damn, really? That's pretty hardcore. I have to look up the brand I got at Auto Zone but I've tried scratching my tails and the paint stays on pretty good.

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

I used this tutorial and mine came out really good, I suggest just following this:

http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/How_to_Smoke_Taillights

Yeah, uh, DON'T' spray them while they're still installed on the car like that tutorial shows, never a good idea.

He removed them to spray the tint but did the wet sanding and buffing with them back on the car.

[Ranga14]

Oh, well I skimmed over it and it looked like he kept them on. yay for skimming

[toxik]

^ rather big fail

[elevate]

just use LBC tail light over lays. u can get either 30% or 60%!
he has different styles too, i installed the 60% gtr reverse cutout overlay and it looks very good. im going to install the second layer soon. and it is pretty dark. 1 layer looks cool, and 2 layers looks even better IMO. even if you do get pulled over (which i think you wont), you can just easily pull them off!
yay for vinyl!

longbeachcoupe-headlight-and-taillight- ... 67645.html

[dmbp]

Just BLACKED mine out today, I'll post pics tomorrow when there's light out

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

just use LBC tail light over lays. u can get either 30% or 60%!
he has different styles too, i installed the 60% gtr reverse cutout overlay and it looks very good. im going to install the second layer soon. and it is pretty dark. 1 layer looks cool, and 2 layers looks even better IMO. even if you do get pulled over (which i think you wont), you can just easily pull them off!
yay for vinyl!

longbeachcoupe-headlight-and-taillight- ... 67645.html

Thanks a lot! I just might go with this option. I'm just wondering if the 60% by itself is enough. I also don't want to make my car dangerous by having them too dark. I wonder what a 60% with a second layer of 30% would look like? I definitely want the overlay with the reverse cut-out.

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

Just BLACKED mine out today, I'll post pics tomorrow when there's light out

Did you use the vinyl overlays or the spray tint?

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

Just got a quote from the guy that did my window tint saying he would charge $85/hr to apply the vinyl overlays. Says it would be an hour - two hour job. Is it really worth it, financially over the spray tint???

[LongBeachCoupe]

Welcome Guys!

The overlays provide a tiered precise level of light blocking... Meaning you cant put them on and it be "too dark"

The 2 layer 60% makes em real dark, and is REMOVABLE!

Overlays provide an EXTRA layer of protection from the elements and is DESIGNED to protect what is under it... (think of a clear bra, or the plastic that comes on a new cell phone)

[toxik]

Just got a quote from the guy that did my window tint saying he would charge $85/hr to apply the vinyl overlays. Says it would be an hour - two hour job. Is it really worth it, financially over the spray tint???

he is ripping you off, $160 to apply taillight overlays? try to find someone else, i'm sure someone might know a place, depending where you live.

[dmbp]

I got mine done at maaco for 100 bucks flat. I think they mixed a black paint with a paint thinner but I'm not positive.

Here are some pics of it now and back when I had the vinyl (I believe at 60%)

now with paint:




back with the vinyl:

[R.]

I paid $100 flat for my spray job. They did them a little darker than I would have liked but they still look good.

$85/hr is really steep. I would definitely shop around a little.

[parkeroutlaw]

If you have a shop paint your tail lights they use clear coat and tint it with black paint. that is how mine was done. If you have the stock nissan black you can have them color matched. They don't scratch that easy if they are clear coated I have found. If you can find a paint shop to do it, it does not take very long. All they do is clean the tail lights, scuff then, spray them, and then polish them.

[johnnir3volution]

If you was to sell your car later on down the road, you would have to buy new taillights. Thats why i chose tint over paint. with tint you can take them off anytime and save money when youre trying to sell your car

[CrimsonBlackBrian]

If you was to sell your car later on down the road, you would have to buy new taillights. Thats why i chose tint over paint. with tint you can take them off anytime and save money when youre trying to sell your car

Good point

[GrayCoupe]

If you was to sell your car later on down the road, you would have to buy new taillights. Thats why i chose tint over paint. with tint you can take them off anytime and save money when youre trying to sell your car

Or you can always use paint remover, sand clear and they are as good as new!

[2010alticoupe]

i happen to have the same color as you do. and let me tell you that it looks sick with the tails blacked out.
i believe mine are painted. i didnt want to mess with my lights so i just bought some already painted on craigslist for 50 bucks.
the pic doesn't do it justice, it looks better in person.

[elevate]

Just got a quote from the guy that did my window tint saying he would charge $85/hr to apply the vinyl overlays. Says it would be an hour - two hour job. Is it really worth it, financially over the spray tint???

to tell you the truth it is not that hard installing them on yourself, i did it myself for the first time and it came out OK. i ordered an "oops" second set from LBC overlays, because the left tailight overlay got scratched in the process. The only hard part is the corners but you have to have patience
let me give you a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHx6U2BcRyU

so that video gives you an idea. keep in mind i did them myself and they came out good. the second layers im going to get someone to hold the blowdryer, so it'll be ALOT easier with 2 ppl.
as for the price it was only $32 for the first set ($64 for me because im putting a double layer) and $16 for the "oops" set. so that only comes out to only $48. which is almost half as much for getting them installed.
and you also get the satisfaction of saying "i did it myself" hahaha

[elevate]

I got mine done at maaco for 100 bucks flat. I think they mixed a black paint with a paint thinner but I'm not positive.

Here are some pics of it now and back when I had the vinyl (I believe at 60%)

now with paint:




back with the vinyl:

that looks sick bro!
just put on a second layer of 60% and ull b good haha
then again i got LED tails, so i can put 2 layers with no problem....

question: what size are ur rims!