Spray tint?

If you look at my perasonal page and view my photos, you'll notice that i have chrome taillights. 3rd led brake light is smoked...so for my question.

Has anyone used this so called "SPRAY TINT" on their lights? i dont want to buy another set of tails and i'm curious to know if this spray tint is for real...if so...what are the steps...i've never done anything like this before...i know theres some prep that needs to be done...to ensure it sticks and what not...HELP!!!

I've seen people do it on other cars, some have good results, but most complain that it comes out milky after clearcoating. Supposedly some good buffing will work, but I prefer to just have my bodyshop do my light tinting. I had my taillights tinted and the door handles repainted on my 370Z and it cost me 400 for everything, including removal and reinstall. I'm guessing a body shop would charge you around 100-150 if you took them off and brought them to them for painting

so did they spray tint or did they film tint?

professional spray job, not the VHT nightshades that most people aren't happy with. I think they use a tinted clear, but they look OEM.

im going to do my tail lights with the VHT niteshades. they look good if you take your time. the times i hear that people arnt happy are when they rush or apply to thick of a coat or buy only 1 can. and you have to polish it when its done. theres 2 youtube videos on how to do it. just search it on youtube. and its like the 1st or 2nd video.

why not just take them to a local tint shop? maybe even get some of the extra tint they have left over?

i like your idea nvy...local tint shop to use that left over tint...then 2nd option would be professional shop.

nvycrmn said:

why not just take them to a local tint shop? maybe even get some of the extra tint they have left over?

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The problem with the tint that window places use is that its not flexible enough to be applied to a curved surface. I tried that once and it didnt work. they do make a flexible tint that you can buy off of ebay that may work but if you just take your time and are careful the nightshades works very well and you can make it as dark or as light as you want

Not to mention there is a chance of bubbles not going away if you use tint. The nightshade takes longer but there are tons of videos on how to do it and make it look great. I did a couple of tail lights with it here and there and most of the time they turned out great unless I rushed

I've seen people use nite shade with good results... key is to take your time and spray light even coats... google it and there are tons of people with F150s that have done it... I am just not a fan of "limiting" the amount of light your brakes emit... because what if someone rear ends you? It is illegal and courts might see it that way... I know some of my stuff isn't legal but I kinda want people to see my taillights.... just my .02... but niteshaded tails look good though... but so do black LED tails like mine...

i dont think that black goes well with my truck scheme even though my windows are dark...i'm just looking for a smoke tint...nothing dark...

my tails are smoke, but my 3rd brake isnt. so i need to tint that so it matches, or close to, the tails.

the niteshades allowed the light to pass threw. not so much limit it. yeah it dose limit it but its still pretty bright. but if your looking for a smoked look 1 super light coat of the nite shades will do the trick.

walnuts4x4 said:

I am just not a fan of "limiting" the amount of light your brakes emit... because what if someone rear ends you? It is illegal and courts might see it that way:

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In Georgia, you just have to see them from 500 feet. Fortunately my Nissan and I think my 10 Expo (only seen it the one day I was home between trips, but I am pretty sure) have LED tail lights. The stuff my body shop uses lets you see the lights as bright as not having tint. I had my old C6 vettes lights also done, they weren't led, but they were still visible.

When take to a professional paint shop, what they do is mix a little black with clear (the amount of black depends on how dark you want it), and spray it on. This comes out the best. This is how Expedition has his done.

There is also vinyl cutouts, like the ones on ebay.

I did my stock tails and my dad's tails with VHT Niteshades. There is wetsanding and polishing involved if you want it to look decent. All the people with milky or dull tails didn't bother with wetsanding.

Pretty much, it's:
-Clean headlights, and tape off anything you don't want darkened (usually reverse lights)
-Lightly scuff surface
-Clean again
-Do one light coat of Niteshades. Let dry 10 mins. Repeat until you get desired darkness.
-Let dry for a bit (maybe an hour). Wetsand with 1000, then 1500 to get a nice, even surface.
-Take off tape, and clean surface
-Spray clear, wait 10 minutes. Do 2-3 more times
-Let dry for about an hour.
-Wet sand with 1000, then 1500, then 2000. When you are at the 1500, there should be no orange peel left before moving on to the 2000. After 2000, polish with rubbing/polishing compound (much easier if you have machine with pads). Wax, and treat like car paint from now on.

These are my dad's. I think they are 2 coats of NS:




I think these are 2 coats as well. This was after I had re-sanded my tails, but not my 3rd brake light, hence why it is dull looking.

im hesitant when it comes to the wetsanding...never dont any...dont want to mess it up by pressing to much or not enough...i'll give it a shot...so buy 2 btls of ventshade and 2 btls of clear, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper from autozone...and tape...anything i'm missing?

bhsoulja said:

im hesitant when it comes to the wetsanding...never dont any...dont want to mess it up by pressing to much or not enough...i'll give it a shot...so buy 2 btls of ventshade and 2 btls of clear, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper from autozone...and tape...anything i'm missing?

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their chrome so i'm hoping they turn out very well

If this is the first time you're working with rattle canning something. I would not do it. Just take it to a shop and get them painted professionally. Honestly on your truck I would open the light up and paint the inside black and go from there to see how you like it.

Here's pics of mine:

Ya im with expedition on this open them up and spray the inside, that shit will look good!

yeah, spraying the inside would be a no-brainer if they are easily opened. Don't have to worry about the finish at all, just consistency.

Expedition, is that how you did yours on the current generation one?