Tail light tinting

**89stang** · 06-06-2010, 11:24 AM

Any one know how to do this? Or could help me do it?

**scott5** · 06-06-2010, 11:29 AM

I'm getting ready to do it once I get another set of lx taillights.. its not that hard at all. I had my 95 ggt done professionally but did a set on a ram and they came out great... do a search on here and a long thread should come up on how to do it.

**no1sirbutler** · 06-06-2010, 12:42 PM

I did mine by tinting some clear coat and spraying them w/ that. It is way more durable than theat VT Niteshades crap and definitely has a better and smoother texture. Let me know if you have any questions.

**95V6** · 06-06-2010, 10:18 PM

I thought tail light tinting was illegal or is it just not really enforced? I like the look but that has kept me from doing it. I know headlight tinting is I believe.

**cwh19** · 06-07-2010, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by 95V6

I thought tail light tinting was illegal or is it just not really enforced? I like the look but that has kept me from doing it. I know headlight tinting is I believe.

Yea its illegal. But unless you do something to get pulled over like speeding or careless driving, your going to be ok. Just don't push your luck.

**PaxtonShelby** · 06-07-2010, 05:40 PM

Many garages will NOT pass a car for inspection if it has tinted taillights.

Ask me how I know...it was Jason's 1990 SuperCoupe that lived in your garage! :D He sprayed on some tint - and it would NOT come off.

I'd pass on the tint - especially on your sweet GT with LX tails. The car is red and the red tails look great!

**Steve-0** · 06-07-2010, 05:50 PM

Eh, Ive never had a problem with police (state or local) with tinted tails, and have been pulled over multiple times by both for other reasons. I have all of my vehicles tail lights tinted. the cobra has the vinyl tint, but they are going to be coming off soon for a new set since they have bubbles and look like hell.

Do what you want and what you think will look good. Its not up to the state inspector to pass or fail a vehicle for tinted tail lights. as long as the lights work and light shines through and is visible at night and day they can not say anything. And if they DO fail your car for it, take it somewhere else that knows what they are talking about, it is clearly stated in the inspection handbook that it is not up to us to make that decision. It is the same way for tinted windows etc. Hope this helps.

**PaxtonShelby** · 06-07-2010, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by Steve-0

Eh, Ive never had a problem with police (state or local) with tinted tails, and have been pulled over multiple times by both for other reasons. I have all of my vehicles tail lights tinted. the cobra has the vinyl tint, but they are going to be coming off soon for a new set since they have bubbles and look like hell.

Do what you want and what you think will look good. Its not up to the state inspector to pass or fail a vehicle for tinted tail lights. as long as the lights work and light shines through and is visible at night and day they can not say anything. And if they DO fail your car for it, take it somewhere else that knows what they are talking about, it is clearly stated in the inspection handbook that it is not up to us to make that decision. It is the same way for tinted windows etc. Hope this helps.

The key is that the taillight is visible at night, and the taillights still must reflect oncoming lights. If you spray tint over the lenses you may still be able to see the taillights, but remember - you have to be able to see them clearly from a distance - and I'm not talking 2 carlengths. Also - the taillights will not reflect much light at all if you spray tint them. With all the awful drivers out there, I don't want to make it any easier for them not to see my taillights when they're screaming up behind me at a stop sign or red light. Factor in some fog or rain and tinted tails' visibility decreases even more.

I'm not saying that the tinted lights don't look nice. They do. But the garages who don't want to put themselves at risk will absolutely fail a car that has tinted lights. If in their opinion the lights are not bright enough the car fails. And if you take it somewhere else for inspection just so it will pass, what other items are they overlooking? I take my cars to a place that really goes over everything with a fine tooth comb. My family is almost always along for the ride, and I want to be sure that everything is up to par.

**Steve-0** · 06-07-2010, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by PaxtonShelby

The key is that the taillight is visible at night, and the taillights still must reflect oncoming lights. If you spray tint over the lenses you may still be able to see the taillights, but remember - you have to be able to see them clearly from a distance - and I'm not talking 2 carlengths. Also - the taillights will not reflect much light at all if you spray tint them. With all the awful drivers out there, I don't want to make it any easier for them not to see my taillights when they're screaming up behind me at a stop sign or red light. Factor in some fog or rain and tinted tails' visibility decreases even more.

I'm not saying that the tinted lights don't look nice. They do. But the garages who don't want to put themselves at risk will absolutely fail a car that has tinted lights. If in their opinion the lights are not bright enough the car fails. And if you take it somewhere else for inspection just so it will pass, what other items are they overlooking? I take my cars to a place that really goes over everything with a fine tooth comb. My family is almost always along for the ride, and I want to be sure that everything is up to par.

I understand where you are coming from, and agree with the safety portion of it. I was a state inspector for a few years till I got out of the business and into something else that actually made money. Honestly though, my own vehicles were the only ones that I ever had to inspect that had this done... I'm still not sure what I would have done with someone elses. I was only stating what we were taught to do if this was ever brought up. And in the end the inspector can pass/fail a vehicle for whatever he wants to deem safe or not.

**scott5** · 06-07-2010, 06:44 PM

I can say when i had mine professionally done. They were as bright as night with the tint as they were without.. And they were dark

**scott5** · 06-07-2010, 06:46 PM

the second pic is just with the lights on.. When you hit the brakes they lit up even better.

**Psycho5_0** · 06-07-2010, 07:21 PM

I did my S-10 and Honda Tailights, Well my body shop guy did but i got the formula and its all in the number of coats usually 2 coats maybe 3 and there perfectly visable. I drive with my daytime lights on the help with someone behind me! The third Brake light on the truck has currently been tinted too!

**89stang** · 06-07-2010, 07:41 PM

How much did he charge you psycho5 0?

**Psycho5_0** · 06-07-2010, 08:03 PM

Well he's my buddy, and i work for a dealership so it was kinda free, but i would ask for you if he would do it and what he'd charge? i would say paint, materials and a labor fee. wouldn't think that much. Obviuosly if you supply the taillights.

Originally Posted by 89stang

How much did he charge you psycho5 0?