Tinted tailight pictures, s4 and s5
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 237
From: Twin Cities, MN
I don't know if its legal or not. Cops are not too picky up here about that kind of stuff. I had a forum member do them for me. He'll chime in if he wants to.
i am legendary
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,478
Likes: 1
From: Kirkland, WA
I've tinted tails before, it's easy. This is how I always do it:
First you can wetsand with some 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. This is optional, though I believe it helps a lot. It takes off the factor clearcoat and scuffs up the surface which will let the tinting paint adhere better. Though I have done some lights before without this and it turned out fine.
Clean them with 3m adhesive/wax remover to get rid of any residue on them. Then wipe them down and clean them with some car window cleaner and wipe it down again. Now it's ready to paint.
I have found two kinds of paint that work well. Night shade, which is made for tinting tail lights, works great. And a cheaper, easier to get, paint is called "Testors Transparent Black Gloss Paint." This can be found at hobby shops, I've been able to find it at HobbyTown USA every time I've needed it. This is made for tinting windows of model/RC cars, so it works great.
I always do enough coats to where I can faintly see the color in the lenses still. You can always do more, which I have also done, but I've found that if you do it to where you can still see a faint hint of the lense color you will be assured of having no visibility problems. I have taken it darker before and had no visibility problems with light shining through, but then again I've also dont it further and had problems. So this part is up to you. Remember, if you do it to much you can always wetsand the tail lights again back down to nothing and start over (which I've had to do
)
After the painting is done let it sit and dry fully. Now it's time for clearcoat. Remember, this is paint and it should have a coat of clear over it to protect. I just use some normal duplicolor clear coat, about 4-5 coats has worked well for me. You can get away with 2 or 3 probably, I've just done that many to be safe. I do not know, however, if the more clearcoat effects light shining through, so this is up to you.
Again let them sit and dry fully before putting them back on. Now you're good to go!
That's how I've done it every time and it's worked great. I've also heard of people doing like 1 or 2 light coats of just normal black paint (not transparent) with no problems, but I've never done that myself.
First you can wetsand with some 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. This is optional, though I believe it helps a lot. It takes off the factor clearcoat and scuffs up the surface which will let the tinting paint adhere better. Though I have done some lights before without this and it turned out fine.
Clean them with 3m adhesive/wax remover to get rid of any residue on them. Then wipe them down and clean them with some car window cleaner and wipe it down again. Now it's ready to paint.
I have found two kinds of paint that work well. Night shade, which is made for tinting tail lights, works great. And a cheaper, easier to get, paint is called "Testors Transparent Black Gloss Paint." This can be found at hobby shops, I've been able to find it at HobbyTown USA every time I've needed it. This is made for tinting windows of model/RC cars, so it works great.
I always do enough coats to where I can faintly see the color in the lenses still. You can always do more, which I have also done, but I've found that if you do it to where you can still see a faint hint of the lense color you will be assured of having no visibility problems. I have taken it darker before and had no visibility problems with light shining through, but then again I've also dont it further and had problems. So this part is up to you. Remember, if you do it to much you can always wetsand the tail lights again back down to nothing and start over (which I've had to do
)After the painting is done let it sit and dry fully. Now it's time for clearcoat. Remember, this is paint and it should have a coat of clear over it to protect. I just use some normal duplicolor clear coat, about 4-5 coats has worked well for me. You can get away with 2 or 3 probably, I've just done that many to be safe. I do not know, however, if the more clearcoat effects light shining through, so this is up to you.
Again let them sit and dry fully before putting them back on. Now you're good to go!
That's how I've done it every time and it's worked great. I've also heard of people doing like 1 or 2 light coats of just normal black paint (not transparent) with no problems, but I've never done that myself.
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Ive wanted to do that to my S5 lights for a while..but Im scared of messing up a $200+ taillight set 
S4s are a dime a dozen , so if you mess it up go pick up another set. Anyone have any pics of tinted S5 tails?
S4s are a dime a dozen , so if you mess it up go pick up another set. Anyone have any pics of tinted S5 tails?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,174
Likes: 237
From: Twin Cities, MN
Originally posted by Rxmfn7
Ive wanted to do that to my S5 lights for a while..but Im scared of messing up a $200+ taillight set S4s are a dime a dozen , so if you mess it up go pick up another set. Anyone have any pics of tinted S5 tails?
Ive wanted to do that to my S5 lights for a while..but Im scared of messing up a $200+ taillight set
S4s are a dime a dozen , so if you mess it up go pick up another set. Anyone have any pics of tinted S5 tails?
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: CA
very nice.. hmm wondering if my bro mind me using his set of s4's huh.?!!?. he now has a pair of s5's on so lets see.. still.. those pictures looks madly nice!! sweet! sUper sweet.. but yea. i too for one. wonder how do they shine/work/look during the night time.?!?!? any pictures.. is pissoble.. still great job. love the collection yard too!..