Tail light tint with window tint?

g0ldm4g3

g0ldm4g3

Would ya just look at it
iS VIP
Location
Richmond, TX
Car
2006 FX35 RWD
Name
Nnaji
So I've been researching on tinting my tail lights.
My decision is to use film instead of the VHT spray, because I don't want a permanent look.

I went to Wally World and picked up 35% tint Black Magic window tint (<$10).
I went to YouTube on how to apply tint on tail lights with film... and well..

I failed. I just can't seem to get it lol and this is JUST the inner part (reverse light part).

Has anyone ever attempted to do this?
 
the tint is never going to conform to the shape, not happening, only would work on relatively flat surfaces. the tint film you see some using on lights is a translucent vinyl, this can stretch & conform a bit better, still not going to work great for the tails but at least you'd have half a shot with that, no chance of getting this to work with window tint....
 
turbocad6 said:
the tint is never going to conform to the shape, not happening, only would work on relatively flat surfaces. the tint film you see some using on lights is a translucent vinyl, this can stretch & conform a bit better, still not going to work great for the tails but at least you'd have half a shot with that, no chance of getting this to work with window tint....
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Fml, so I pretty much bought window tint and a kit for no reason lol well that's just lovely. At least I'll have tint in case my driver side window starts peeling. Thanks for the quick reply!
 
Like turbo said not gonna work. I tried it on the reflectors which are flat but still have a curve and it still don't work as clean as I wanted.
 
have you considered using a clear coat with black or charcoal flake in it. it keeps the gloss of the tails and looks good as well. i would wetsand inbetween coats.
 
I would go with the paint, every time I see someone with the translucent vinyl tubocad mentioned it always looks a bit sloppy no matter how professionally it was installed. You can always see bubbles where the tint gave the installer a hard time. The paint job is not too expensive and you can always ask the painter to show you samples of the different shades so you get exactly what you want.
 
neva4self said:
I would go with the paint, every time I see someone with the translucent vinyl tubocad mentioned it always looks a bit sloppy no matter how professionally it was installed. You can always see bubbles where the tint gave the installer a hard time. The paint job is not too expensive and you can always ask the painter to show you samples of the different shades so you get exactly what you want.
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I was thinking about that, but I want to be able to remove the tint just in case I want to trade it in. If I were to remove it, I want the tails to still look new.
 
The taillights on the FX cannot be tinted properly w/ film much less window tint. FWIW, window tint isn't designed to conform much, it's why you see so many hack tint jobs where they 2 piece the rear glass. Even with taillight film, the FX's taillights protrude too much and have too many curves/angles to be covered in film. No matter how much heat you add, the film just won't stretch right and it will start distorting before you get where you need to. You could cut the film (it's how Aerotect sent a kit for my old IS350 which had much less contour than the FX), but that leaves lines. There are very few cars where you can use vinyl to tint the taillights and the FX isn't one of them. I had mine painted at a body shop just like I eventually had the taillights on my old IS painted after trying film. Worst case is you swap the taillights out before trading it in; it beats driving around with taillights that look like a 3rd grader tinted them.
 
If you REALLY want the lenses tinted, it's not that difficult to get it looking professional. You will not be able to remove it though - nor should you even worry about removing it when it comes time to trade or sell. There are three different types of tail lights for the FX - have you considered buying one of the other styles? The sport tails come looking tinted, IMO.

If you want to try spray tint, check this post for the process. I did this on a different car but would not hesitate to do it to the FX if that's what I wanted.

https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=11812-Member-s-other-Modded-rides?p=206367#post206367
 
jumbosrule said:
If you REALLY want the lenses tinted, it's not that difficult to get it looking professional. You will not be able to remove it though - nor should you even worry about removing it when it comes time to trade or sell. There are three different types of tail lights for the FX - have you considered buying one of the other styles? The sport tails come looking tinted, IMO.

If you want to try spray tint, check this post for the process. I did this on a different car but would not hesitate to do it to the FX if that's what I wanted.

https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=11812-Member-s-other-Modded-rides?p=206367#post206367
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Yeah, I was thinking about getting the sport tails, they look pretty sick. My neighbor bought hers as the Sport trim, but she has a silver FX.
I looked online for them, but then I saw how much they were and thought that spray tinting them would be a cheaper way around to satisfy me.

After reading everyone's posts, I believe that spray tinting them is the way to go. I'm not trying to get it black, I just want that deep Burgundy color, which is about 35% tint film.

I saw this DIY on how to remove the tint if I need to, I like the way it still comes out shiny:
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128899

Btw, do I HAVE to sand my tail light before spraying it?

---------- Post added at 12:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:52 PM ----------
shadow191 said:
The taillights on the FX cannot be tinted properly w/ film much less window tint. FWIW, window tint isn't designed to conform much, it's why you see so many hack tint jobs where they 2 piece the rear glass. Even with taillight film, the FX's taillights protrude too much and have too many curves/angles to be covered in film. No matter how much heat you add, the film just won't stretch right and it will start distorting before you get where you need to. You could cut the film (it's how Aerotect sent a kit for my old IS350 which had much less contour than the FX), but that leaves lines. There are very few cars where you can use vinyl to tint the taillights and the FX isn't one of them. I had mine painted at a body shop just like I eventually had the taillights on my old IS painted after trying film. Worst case is you swap the taillights out before trading it in; it beats driving around with taillights that look like a 3rd grader tinted them.
Click to expand...

Yeah, when I tried the window tint film, all I got were lines. Even the reflectors frustrated me because I had to get the perfect cut before applying and I don't know the dimensions for it.
 
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