Tail Light tinting?

hislop · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:40 pm

i couldnt find any threads on it, should i sand first? clear coat? VHT Nightshades?

Lord Helmet · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:22 pm

Everything I've read on the subject leans towards tinting them with film. Otherwise the spray tint keeps the heat inside the lens and the lens will melt. I'm planning on going the film tint route.

gjpollman · **Joined:** Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:49 pm **Posts:** 18

When I had my Cherokee SRT I tinted with NightShades and had zero problems even in the heat of the Virginia summers, if you decide to go this route just clean the lens really well and do very light coats, I did 3 light coats and it was dark enough to appear black at night but light enough to sow the tail lights

Jeepin_it_real · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:06 pm

if you use films you may not get the desired effect. as long as you do LIGHT coats ( and multiple coats) you will get a dark light that will let light shine through. To get the glossy effect and to preserve the light you add a light clear coat layer

hislop · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:56 pm

I ordered nightshades, so no sanding necessary?

Jeepin_it_real · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:15 am

nope just disocnnect the taillight... clean it, then spray away... DO LIGHT COATS... who cares if it take you 5 or 6 coats, you'll be doing it the right way and you'll be able to get the desired look... if you go too heavy on coats it will look crappy especially when the light shines through

Lord Helmet · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:50 am

This is where I first read it: viewtopic.php?f=88&t=55824&hilit=melting

DetroitKK · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:22 pm

Jeepin it real has it right.

I used VHT on mine as well and I think I went with the 3rd or 4th coat. Just do a light misting, let it dry, take a look at it, and then go again. I did mine last summer in South Florida and after a few months of 100º heat they still look fine. I think the key is to staying closer to the smoked look as opposed to a total black out.

hislop · **Posted:** Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:29 pm

yea i'm planning on doing only about 3 coats, and Detroitkk i just blacked out my headlights with the help of your post, thanks so much for that, perfect instructions

black and blue · **Posted:** Sat May 21, 2011 8:32 pm

Just got done tinting my tails. I went with the VHT Nightshades.

I didnt sand them first, just cleaned them up really well before painting.

I did about 5 coats of VHT i think. It feels like i may have used a little more than half a can on all three lights. I've heard of people going with a full can or even two cans, but i'm happy with the level of darkness.

About an hour after the last coat of VHT I laid down 4 good coats of a gloss clear coat a few minutes apart, and then i let them dry for almost a day.

I just got done wet sanding first with 1000 grit and then 1500 grit paper that i soaked in some water while i taped up the car around the lights. The sanding definitely lightened it up a little bit, and almost completely removed the VHT at the bends of the light, but i actually like how it looks with the lines of the rear end.

Then i took a whool buffing wheel i got in a Meguiar's head lamp restoration kit, attached it to my drill, and buffed the lights nice an smooth. I'm pretty happy with the results... Now for pics:

Before:

After:

Tail Light tinting?

Who is online