Tinted headlights
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Tinted headlights
Just wanted to share a recent project (experiment)
Recently bought my 996 and while the weather was nice I performed the #1 project I had planned on trying. Slightly tinting the surround of the headlights and the turn signals. The turn signals were tinted with a thick plastic when I bought the car, but didn't like the application.
So I removed the headlights from the car, removed the plastic tint from the signals, cleaned up the lenses and masked off the headlight and driving lights. The sprayed with a 'tint' paint. My thought was to slightly tint the surround. Give the signals an extra coat if needed. And then spray with a clear coat.
Here are the results. I ended up with 2 coats. No extra on the signals. Signals are nice and bright when used.
The POC worked, but the spray paint spit a little and the spray pattern is so-so. I'll probably respray them in the spring with the black EOM color mixed with clear to achieve the same transparent look that the tint paint provided, but with the control of a professional spray gun.
Thoughts?
Jim
Recently bought my 996 and while the weather was nice I performed the #1 project I had planned on trying. Slightly tinting the surround of the headlights and the turn signals. The turn signals were tinted with a thick plastic when I bought the car, but didn't like the application.
So I removed the headlights from the car, removed the plastic tint from the signals, cleaned up the lenses and masked off the headlight and driving lights. The sprayed with a 'tint' paint. My thought was to slightly tint the surround. Give the signals an extra coat if needed. And then spray with a clear coat.
Here are the results. I ended up with 2 coats. No extra on the signals. Signals are nice and bright when used.
The POC worked, but the spray paint spit a little and the spray pattern is so-so. I'll probably respray them in the spring with the black EOM color mixed with clear to achieve the same transparent look that the tint paint provided, but with the control of a professional spray gun.
Thoughts?
Jim
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
It is interesting that the tint is slightly blueish. I recently sprayed a spoiler with black OEM paint and was curious to see if I thinned it, would it also be blueish. Sure enough it was. Very similar.
If you try this, clean the lens real good. Also practice spraying on some something else to get a feel of the spray pattern. Cardboard will work.
The nice thing is if you don't like it, just wet sand with 600, 1500. Then polish with high speed wool buffer & 3M polish.
#5
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
For a bunch of guys who claim that the "headlights don't matter" you are obsessed with how they look. Any tint will result in less bright lighting at night. In fact, application of that stuff violates US DOT lighting standards.
#6
Team Owner
I kinda like it.
#7
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
My only concern is that in today's economy, the authorities are looking for any opportunity to ticket (income!) and when you alter lighting it becomes a safety issue. Trust me, your turn signals are now darker than before. (I personally like that look, but it's not me you have to talk your way through!)
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#8
I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think a cop would ever even notice, unless he's a 996 aficionado and has a big bug up his butt going out looking to be a d*ck.
There's so many ricers runnin around So Cal with their coffee can exhausts and blacked out rear lights and headlights, and I don't see them in the fixit-ticket lines.
I like the look! I'm with Dave, it has to be on the right color car for it to look right. And you have that color, 15psi!
There's so many ricers runnin around So Cal with their coffee can exhausts and blacked out rear lights and headlights, and I don't see them in the fixit-ticket lines.
I like the look! I'm with Dave, it has to be on the right color car for it to look right. And you have that color, 15psi!
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Not really obsessed about lights- but I am obsessed about cars.
This was a "what if". You might notice that the headlight and fog/driving lights are not covered at all. I masked them off. So they are as bright as ever. I was concerned about the brightness of the signal, I want people to know I'm turning. I checked it agains the stock one as I sprayed coats. Virtually no difference- was surprised how bright they are. The concept was to put on as little tint as possible and see through it. I didn't want black covers.
#14
Instructor
Thread Starter
#15
Instructor
Thread Starter
I painted and clear coated the Taco. With all the angles it is fun to have good coverage, and not have runs on the clear. Over the weekend, I wet sanded it and will spray one more clearcoat. Looked nice.