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Anybody DIY tinted tail lights?

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Old 02-28-2019, 03:08 PM
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Mbren1979
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Default Anybody DIY tinted tail lights?

So, I put a Turbo Deck lid and spoiler on my C4S. The deck lid came with tinted 3rd brake light. The PO of the deck lid said he DIY'd all of his rear lights. I really like the look and want to do my taillights as well. I saw some videos on youtube of people doing a product called VHT nightshade. Was wondering if anyone had any experience doing it. Some of the videos left the lights more of a matte finish. The 3rd light is already a high gloss and i think it looks better that way. Any Thoughts?
Old 02-28-2019, 04:55 PM
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cds72911
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Many years ago, I tinted the taillights of a vw gti (way back when I was in my 20’s). I got the paint from a “hobby shop” that sold paints for model cars, etc. Do stores like this still exist?? Maybe look on Amazon? It wasn’t difficult to do.
Old 02-28-2019, 05:18 PM
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Flat6Music
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I did it on my black CLS550 years ago using that stuff. I then used clear over that to ensure a glossy finish. It looked great for years, and still looked great years later when I sold it. Now I have a cracked tail light on my 99' cab and it's letting moisture into the interior of the taillight housing. So, I'm thinking I'm going to try a lightly tinted film this time instead of the spray as a last resort to replacement. Anyway, spray tint followed by clear will get you a glossy end result.
Old 02-28-2019, 06:20 PM
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Dranon
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https://www.suncoastporsche.com/suncoast-parts.htm
Tailight film from Suncoast . Comes in different shades from very light to dark
Old 02-28-2019, 08:55 PM
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tekkie
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Old 02-28-2019, 09:12 PM
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mrdeezy
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Great idea, to make it harder to see a safety device that lets people know you are stopping
Old 02-28-2019, 09:34 PM
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Mbren1979
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Originally Posted by mrdeezy
Great idea, to make it harder to see a safety device that lets people know you are stopping
let's assume you are just not familiar with the products, my response would be the brake lights illuminate just fine and some car manufacturers actually do it from the factory.

or your just a putz who needs to find another thread to **** on.
Old 02-28-2019, 10:44 PM
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808Bill
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I've got a cracked set (just replaced) that I was going to tint also.
Old 03-01-2019, 11:32 PM
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Mbren1979
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Well i did the VHT spray on. Looks good from far but far from good. I am.......eh......with the results.

with that being said i went ahead and ordered LED smoke tail lights from design911. $900 shipped. Is what it is.
Old 03-02-2019, 03:07 AM
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lowpue
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Maybe this is an option
https://rennlist.com/forums/991-turb...dip-smoke.html
Old 03-02-2019, 09:09 AM
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Mbren1979
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Fi
Final product. Not sure how i feel. The product sucked right into the typical cracks in the light. Dosent look good close up.
Old 03-02-2019, 10:42 AM
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TexSquirrel
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Back in the 80s a friend of mine had taillight covers on his car (as did I) and he got rear ended.
He ended up getting a ticket for “not having visible tail lights” and his insurance covered the car in back.
Then the insurance dropped him for ”failing to safely maintain vehicle.”
I removed mine after that and have never had any of my taillights tinted, even though I like the look.
Tinted from factory, sure.
Aftermarket tinting could cause you the same, especially if you live in a small town with hyperactive police.
Old 03-02-2019, 10:48 AM
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Mbren1979
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Originally Posted by TexSquirrel
Back in the 80s a friend of mine had taillight covers on his car (as did I) and he got rear ended.
He ended up getting a ticket for “not having visible tail lights” and his insurance covered the car in back.
Then the insurance dropped him for ”failing to safely maintain vehicle.”
I removed mine after that and have never had any of my taillights tinted, even though I like the look.
Tinted from factory, sure.
Tinting after the fact could cause you the same, especially if you live in a small town with hyperactive police.
As much as a small part of me likes the look. I agree it looks to 80's and again the up close looks like something a honda boy would be ok with. Not me. Last night after i did it I went ahead and ordered The LED conversions taillights from Design911. Figure i will be much happier with that and it gives it a 997 rear look. Not that i don't like the 996. But my intent was to change it up a little and i went back a generation instead of forward. I'm sure i will be happy with the LED's.
Old 03-02-2019, 10:51 AM
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TexSquirrel
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I’ve seen some 996 LED taillights in person, and they do in fact look nice.
It makes the car look a lot newer.
Old 03-02-2019, 10:57 AM
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Mbren1979
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Yeah, I talked to the owner of the car below. He has owned his Design911 lights for i think 3 or 4 years and had no LED issues. He says he still look great. I ordered the slightly smoked versions as i figured it would blend well with the grey car




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