by "sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
Published 02/06/2017 at 14:22
by "sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
Published 02/06/2017 at 14:22
No Tags
STARS: 3
So I bought some Lamin-X gunsmoke (lightest) taillight tint this week...I’ve actually been pretty against this practice in the past - mostly because people with already dim taillights tend to make the one thing preventing them from being rear-ended harder to see.
However, Lamin-X doesn’t require me basically spray-painting my lights (cough cough VHT Nightshade), and with my taillights being LED, these don’t seem to have much of an impact on my visibility of my taillights.
So the results:
Before:
After:
Overall, I think I like it....it’s not obnoxious and looks pretty similar in color to new Audi’s.
Installation: Lamin-X gave good directions and have a good product. I strongly recommend installing with another person...not alone. It required a decent amount of manipulation and stretching for a good fit. The contour on the rear tails was the hardest part and the entire project took us 30 minutes or so.
The driver’s side turned out a bit worse - I suppose it’s because we saved the hard part (the contour) for last, rather than just doing that part first. Lamin-X is sending me a replacement for $12.
What do you guys think?
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
02/06/2017 at 14:29, STARS: 0
I like it. I’l always done something similar to our cars.
"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
02/06/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0
I had Lamin-X smoke on a previous vehicle. I didn’t think they were dark, and the light passed through decently in my book. It probably does cut down some on the natural “reflectiveness” of the lens, though.
I’ve been thinking of installing the clear protectors on the headlights of the Taco.
"Honeybunchesofgoats" (honeybunche0fgoats)
02/06/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 8
I’ll be honest, I don’t get it. I like my turn indicators to be amber and my taillights to be bright. I like my cars to look like cars. Cars look like cars because they’re cars and they do car things and and are designed with car-specific priorities, and I don’t really get the whole trying to hide those car attributes like red taillights.
"Nibby" (nibby68)
02/06/2017 at 14:32, STARS: 6
NOT DARK ENOUGH
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
02/06/2017 at 14:34, STARS: 0
Looks like a hard candy
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
02/06/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 1
Can I see your taillights clearly (not just brake lights)? Tint away. Can’t see your lights? You’re being an asshole.
I think what you’ve got there is fine. Carry on sir.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
02/06/2017 at 14:38, STARS: 6
My thought is never. I lost a cousin in Texas when a large trash truck ran over his Subaru with tint. He was having engine problems in the the Spring-Cypress area. It was at night with rain and because of decreased visibility the truck didn’t see the stopped car until it was too late to stop. In some states its illegal. In Pennsylvania I saw a Mustang driver being forced to remove his taillight tint or get a ticket on the spot. It was at a rest area and a state patrolman gave him the option. He had out of state plates and didn’t know the local laws. If you travel its another thing to consider.
"for Michigan" (formichigan)
02/06/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 0
Probably wouldn’t even notice they weren’t some kind of stock “sport package” assembly if I didn’t know.
I’d like to see how it affects the reflectors and daytime visibility. No doubt the LEDs are light enough to show up through the tint at night, but in my experience, tinted lights are usually more of a problem in daylight than in the dark.
"fourvalleys" (fourvalleys)
02/06/2017 at 14:51, STARS: 5
I’ll take that one step further - can I see your reflectors inside the light housing?
There’s a reason those reflectors are there - if you park on the shoulder or break down and lose power for some reason, nobody will be able to see you. Most people don’t carry a triangle, either.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
02/06/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 0
I’d expect that if the lights can be clearly seen through the tint the reflectors should be working. But good point and agreed.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
02/06/2017 at 15:01, STARS: 0
I think you should put nightshade over the vinyl tint.
"Jetstreamer" (jetstreamer)
02/06/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 1
I’m firm on the side of “not an improvement”. Not because of reduced visibility of your lights, though that is important, but it just doesn’t not look good in my opinion. Perhaps if your car was not a dark color already it would look better, but I really prefer the bright red putting in some good contrast.
"jkm7680" (jkm7680)
02/06/2017 at 16:03, STARS: 0
I like it!
"Quadradeuce" (quadradeuce)
02/06/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 3
No offense intended (really), but tinting taillights or headlights is auto-CP for me. It’s just a bad safety practice and IMHO makes a car look trashier, maybe because I mostly see it on ratted out 3 series...
Edit: I’d also like to add that I feel the shape of the taillights helps define the look of a car. Tinting them obscures that design element, making the car look more generic. Maybe that’s why I dislike it...it makes the car more boring to my eye.
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
02/06/2017 at 16:42, STARS: 0
What’s next? Spinners, underglow? That S4 was pretty much perfect when it left the factory, why make it look cheaper?
"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
02/06/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
Just did the same thing to my accord, only mine was just for the turn signal/reverse light
See how it’s that smoked grey? Used to be white.
And they don’t mess with any light output. So I’m very happy.
Yours looks great too
"victor" (victor)
02/06/2017 at 17:33, STARS: 0
Nice car, but why the plate frame? Free advertising?
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
02/07/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 0
I like the oracal 3000 lt gray color for the right darkness, but looks nice. Black car with led tails needs to be tinted, it just looks right. It could go a shade darker though.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
02/07/2017 at 13:07, STARS: 1
Very true, I’ve done tails both ways, the vht or tinted vinyl. But both times I make sure the lights still reflect red when a light hits them.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
02/07/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 0
To each their own right? I’m a fan, but it’s not for everyone. To me, a black car looks nice with the blacked out lights, and at least the owner did it in a fashion that is easily reversible. And, I’d argue that it is tastefully done as well. I’m not a fan of some folks mods, but when they are done tastefully I can appreciate the effort and the effect.
As an enthusiast, I don’t have to agree with what folks do to their cars, but I can appreciate their efforts to make them their own.
"sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
02/07/2017 at 22:21, STARS: 0
I’ve been too lazy to take it off. Otherwise, they’ve probably been the most professional dealership I’ve ever been to with a great service dept.
"sellphones2493" (sellphones2493)
02/07/2017 at 22:22, STARS: 0
Looks a bit darker from a distance.