Tinted Tail Lights

[16plati]

Post for those on here that are on the fence or haven’t tinted tail lights yet. Include what brand tint you used also for reference.

Rustoleum Lens Tint 3 coats
Taped off rest of the light and just tinted the edges

 

[LokiWolf]

Post for those on here that are on the fence or haven’t tinted tail lo ghts yet. Include what brand tint you used also for reference

Rustoleum Lens Tint 3 coats
Taped off rest of the light and just tinted the edges

View attachment 29639

Looks Good! I might try that, and go a little wider than you did...

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[TheFordFortress]

I found these guys online, not sure if I am going lighter or darker tint.

Trying to figure out cool factor vs light output factor?!

https://www.smokedouttaillights.com/expedition


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[16plati]

Looks Good! I might try that, and go a little wider than you did...

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I just followed the color separation line that was already there. Tht website looks legit though

 

[LokiWolf]

I found these guys online, not sure if I am going lighter or darker tint.

Trying to figure out cool factor vs light output factor?!

https://www.smokedouttaillights.com/expedition


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That is me. I don’t want to negatively affect light output...


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[16plati]

That is me. I don’t want to negatively affect light output...


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If you have LEDs in the tails it shouldn’t be too too bad. Halogens may be a little dark

 

[Plati]

Don't worry if you get rear ended its the other drivers fault. He might even pay for your injuries !!

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I found these guys online, not sure if I am going lighter or darker tint.

Trying to figure out cool factor vs light output factor?!

https://www.smokedouttaillights.com/expedition


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Those guys have been doing smoked out tails for awhile and do good work. They don't rattle can them; they paint them just like a body shop would.

I would go very light on tint (like smoked factory headlight light) unless you replace the bulbs with LEDs as above.

 

[TheFordFortress]

Don't worry if you get rear ended its the other drivers fault. He might even pay for your injuries !!

I would wonder if the rear end collision responsibility would be argued by using non DOT approved / modified tail lights though?! To be honest, as much as LEDs are brighter I wonder if what we think of as an “upgrade” when we change out incandescent/halogen stock bulbs to LED would again be arguable as non stock / non DOT approved.

I agree that with LED bulbs the output loss might not be as bad as if I smoked the taillights and left the halogen bulbs in there.


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[Plati]

Look I know nothing at all on this subject of modifying the tail lights with "smoking" or LED lights. Nor am I an expert on the law. I do have a degree in Optical Engineering though and worked at Xerox where I worked in that subject matter (and I'm staying at a Best Western tonight). Personally & its just my risk average nature. I would not be F'ing with the stock lighting on a motor vehickel for safety reliability and legal reasons. I do understand how people love to mess with their vehickel, its an American tradition!

There was a dude on here a few months back that blacked out his tail lights. I didn't get that one at all

 

[LokiWolf]

Look I know nothing at all on this subject of modifying the tail lights with "smoking" or LED lights. Nor am I an expert on the law. I do have a degree in Optical Engineering though and worked at Xerox where I worked in that subject matter (and I'm staying at a Best Western tonight). Personally & its just my risk average nature. I would not be F'ing with the stock lighting on a motor vehickel for safety reliability and legal reasons. I do understand how people love to mess with their vehickel, its an American tradition!

Respect that!


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[TheFordFortress]

Look I know nothing at all on this subject of modifying the tail lights with "smoking" or LED lights. Nor am I an expert on the law. I do have a degree in Optical Engineering though and worked at Xerox where I worked in that subject matter (and I'm staying at a Best Western tonight). Personally & its just my risk average nature. I would not be F'ing with the stock lighting on a motor vehickel for safety reliability and legal reasons. I do understand how people love to mess with their vehickel, its an American tradition!

There was a dude on here a few months back that blacked out his tail lights. I didn't get that one at all

I like the smoked look and I did see the pictures of that expedition with the completely blacked out taillights. That was way too dark for my taste when it comes to balancing safety versus looks!




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[TheFordFortress]

Post for those on here that are on the fence or haven’t tinted tail lo ghts yet. Include what brand tint you used also for reference

Rustoleum Lens Tint 3 coats
Taped off rest of the light and just tinted the edges

View attachment 29639

Looks awesome against the white of the body!


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[CyberVinnie]

In all honesty, I didn’t want them as dark as they turned out, but I have come to appreciate the look. With LEDs and the third taillight, I’m not too worried about much of an adverse impact on visibility. That said, I hope I don’t have to find out the answer to the question of liability though!

I certainly respect those who would never do what I did, but with all the distracted drivers around, and I see them everyday, I always check my rear view mirror when stopping even slightly hard regardless of which car I’m driving!

BTW, my Benz has smoked tails from the factory!

 

[TheFordFortress]

In all honesty, I didn’t want them as dark as they turned out, but I have come to appreciate the look. With LEDs and the third taillight, I’m not too worried about much of an adverse impact on visibility. That said, I hope I don’t have to find out the answer to the question of liability though!

I certainly respect those who would never do what I did, but with all the distracted drivers around, and I see them everyday, I always check my rear view mirror when stopping even slightly hard regardless of which car I’m driving!

BTW, my Benz has smoked tails from the factory!



View attachment 29699

Regardless...whether you want to call it Murder or Marauder, that black out job is awesome!


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[Mean_Dean]

The smoked tail lights can look cool, however I'm with MrSticker and do not want to impact the visibility of my vehicle. There are enough idiots on the road so I'll take every advantage I can get to avoid them.

Not to mention that insurance could deny a claim or Police officer could cite you (depending on state).

 

[Plati]

I think I figured out the desire for smoked or blacked out taillights. I'm kinda slow tell me if I got it right.

People want black if there is no tail light required, but a nice red light when its sposed to be lit.

If so. Someone should make an LCD tail light with LED illumination behind it. Just like a TV. Heck it could probably be a small tv screen, don't know if they are bright enough though. It would be totally black until needed.

 

[bobmbx]

I think I figured out the desire for smoked or blacked out taillights. I'm kinda slow tell me if I got it right.

People want black if there is no tail light required, but a nice red light when its sposed to be lit.

If so. Someone should make an LCD tail light with LED illumination behind it. Just like a TV. Heck it could probably be a small tv screen, don't know if they are bright enough though. It would be totally black until needed.

Just bolt a couple of iPads back there

 

[LokiWolf]

Just bolt a couple of iPads back there

[emoji1787][emoji23][emoji41][emoji1787][emoji23][emoji481]


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[CaptOchs]

I've done this to my Dodge Charger. I ended up with 3 light coats to keep it a good mix of red/black.

I tested it on an old trailer light. I did 1 coat at a time. I then tested it on a battery to make sure the light output was still good. I used the trailer light so I didn't mess up the tail light.