Blackout guys in here please
10-09-2012, 11:25 AM
#21
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http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&b...7&tx=127&ty=65
10-09-2012, 12:19 PM
#26
I actually have the Florida state exemption for my window tint. After many tickets I played the game and got it. From what highway patrol has told me, all of the lights except for the headlights can be tinted. The light just has to show thru x-amount. I am going to go very dark with all of the lights. Leaving the headlights alone though as far as the light output goes.
10-09-2012, 12:38 PM
#27
When I first bought my car, the tail lights were tinted beyond visible. The first thing I did the day I got it home was rip the tail lights off of the car and wet sand them back down to the original red. I couldn't stand how they were so dark that you could barely tell the tail lights from the body of the car, it just gave the rear end a big unappealing look.
Before...
After...
Before...
After...
10-09-2012, 12:46 PM
#28
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I actually have the Florida state exemption for my window tint. After many tickets I played the game and got it. From what highway patrol has told me, all of the lights except for the headlights can be tinted. The light just has to show thru x-amount. I am going to go very dark with all of the lights. Leaving the headlights alone though as far as the light output goes.
RCW 46.37.030
Visibility distance and mounted height of lamps.
(2) No additional lamp, reflective device, tint or other motor vehicle equipment shall be added which impairs the effectiveness of the standard.
10-09-2012, 12:50 PM
#30
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When I first bought my car, the tail lights were tinted beyond visible. The first thing I did the day I got it home was rip the tail lights off of the car and wet sand them back down to the original red. I couldn't stand how they were so dark that you could barely tell the tail lights from the body of the car, it just gave the rear end a big unappealing look.
Also that is the downside of having a body shop spray it, you have to sand it off! Also true if clear over the VHT though..
10-09-2012, 01:05 PM
#31
I started with about 800 IIRC, then worked my way up to about 2000 grit all while making sure I kept the sandpaper wet and had a splash of dish soap to add some lubricant. I then polished them and added a sealer over the top to keep them from hazing or fading.
10-09-2012, 02:17 PM
#32
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One thing which may or may not be helpful, after a few close calls from people not seeing that I am reversing due to my completely black reverse lights, I wired a few led's to the underside of my bumper that give an indication I'm in reverse. They also light up the ground really well for my reverse camera to see.
Got 5 of these guys, mounted on bottom edge of bumper where you can't really see them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x3W-LED-Ult...ab8243&vxp=mtr
Got 5 of these guys, mounted on bottom edge of bumper where you can't really see them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x3W-LED-Ult...ab8243&vxp=mtr
10-09-2012, 02:33 PM
#33
One thing which may or may not be helpful, after a few close calls from people not seeing that I am reversing due to my completely black reverse lights, I wired a few led's to the underside of my bumper that give an indication I'm in reverse. They also light up the ground really well for my reverse camera to see.
Got 5 of these guys, mounted on bottom edge of bumper where you can't really see them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x3W-LED-Ult...ab8243&vxp=mtr
Got 5 of these guys, mounted on bottom edge of bumper where you can't really see them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x3W-LED-Ult...ab8243&vxp=mtr
10-09-2012, 02:39 PM
#34
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I have yet to see a VHT job that looks this good up close..
10-09-2012, 03:14 PM
#35
I'd like to see a shot of those tail lights from more than a few inches away. While I agree with you that it would take a lot more time than it's worth to get VHT to look like that, I just can't imagine the light output would be enough on a bright sunny day.
If you have another picture from say, 10 feet back during a bright day, that would be ideal.
If you have another picture from say, 10 feet back during a bright day, that would be ideal.
10-09-2012, 03:29 PM
#36
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My point was regarding the finish itself.. The darkness is irrelevant, as that quality of finish can be obtained with ANY level of tint when you have a shop do the work.
That being said, I freely admit that my lights are a bit too dark, even for my own liking, but I haven't had any problems with them yet (knock on wood).. If it becomes an issue at any point down the road, you can bet your *** that I'll sand them back down to bare plastic and have a shop re-tint them all to a slightly lighter shade, extra cost be damned..
I'll get a pic of them lit in the daytime if anyone's interested, but I don't suspect it will show anything that we don't already expect. The light output will be visible I'm sure, but less than optimal by most standards.
That being said, I freely admit that my lights are a bit too dark, even for my own liking, but I haven't had any problems with them yet (knock on wood).. If it becomes an issue at any point down the road, you can bet your *** that I'll sand them back down to bare plastic and have a shop re-tint them all to a slightly lighter shade, extra cost be damned..
I'll get a pic of them lit in the daytime if anyone's interested, but I don't suspect it will show anything that we don't already expect. The light output will be visible I'm sure, but less than optimal by most standards.
10-09-2012, 09:43 PM
#40
I see alot of apples and oranges going on here.
These are the correct way to do it.
A shop can spray them as light or dark that you want and looks factory.
If you replace the bulbs with red bulbs, it helps with the brightness.
I have tried VHT many times and it has it's uses, but on a more expensive car, I would do it correctl.
Powdercoating prices depoend on the area that you are in. It is going to be more expensive in some areas than others. It's about $300 to get a set of wheels done in Houston, Texas.
AGREED, but I have seen a guy professionally clear over VHT and it looked great.
Had headlights, tails, 3rd light, markers, and signals sprayed with a translucent black and a couple coats of clear for $150 at a body shop. Powdercoating goes for $200 for four wheels around here. But plastidip is looking like a good option right now. Probably get a dirty pic in a min.
I'd recommend just getting them sprayed by a shop... I did the VHT Nightshades and it looked ok but a little foggy, but after sometime being in the sun and the car getting washed, it started to fade away in a few months.
The first pic is after I took them to the shop, the second is VHT. If you want a pic of the tail lights with VHT just let me know. As for the plasti dip, I use it for my grille and chrome strip on the hood...still hasn't chipped.
The first pic is after I took them to the shop, the second is VHT. If you want a pic of the tail lights with VHT just let me know. As for the plasti dip, I use it for my grille and chrome strip on the hood...still hasn't chipped.
A shop can spray them as light or dark that you want and looks factory.
If you replace the bulbs with red bulbs, it helps with the brightness.
I have tried VHT many times and it has it's uses, but on a more expensive car, I would do it correctl.
AGREED, but I have seen a guy professionally clear over VHT and it looked great.
