exterior lighting question

[fishdonotbounce]

I blacked out my headlights the other day and even though it was a lot of work since half the time i barely knew what i was doing, it turned out great in the end. I was wondering though if I could get a couple of opinions.

I was thinking about blacking out the side markers with the vht stuff to kinda make it match a little more with the theme of the car (since black and white theme + AMBER marker dont go together very well). As you see in the sig, which is an older pic, I have a white P5. So would the blacked out marker look better in your opinion or no?

Also, I was planning on buying a set of the black altezzas off of ebay. I think they'd look great but if anyone has pics of their car with them on Id love to see em. Also, if anyone is selling theirs for cheaper than 100 shipped which is ebay price, hit me up.

The last question concerns the fogs. I've been messing around with the idea of buying tinted rock blockers for them and i think theyd look good but once again id like your opinion.

Thanks a lot guys and keep the suggestions for future mods comin.

 

[JoshP5]

I always thought the black tintblotch on each corner looked weird. I'd go for clear corners from the Celica or RX7.

Altezzas are sub-oem quality. They don't fit quite right.

 

[CTt3P5]

Josh is correct in that the alteezas don't fit like the OEM.

I can post up some pics tonight of my tinted markers, smoked fogs, and black alteezas w/BlueBatmobile smoked overlays.

 

[5PADZAM]

I was thinking about blacking out the side markers with the vht stuff to kinda make it match a little more with the theme of the car (since black and white theme + AMBER marker dont go together very well). As you see in the sig, which is an older pic, I have a white P5. So would the blacked out marker look better in your opinion or no?

I would avoid blacking out the side markers unless you want to get harassed by the cops. The only legal color you can have for those is amber. You can have a clear lens with an amber bulb. They also make bulbs that look silver when off, but light up amber. But even if it was legal to black them out, I agree with josh that it would look weird.

As far as altezzas go, just say no!

 

[CTt3P5]

I would avoid blacking out the side markers unless you want to get harassed by the cops. The only legal color you can have for those is amber. You can have a clear lens with an amber bulb. They also make bulbs that look silver when off, but light up amber. But even if it was legal to black them out, I agree with josh that it would look weird.

As far as altezzas go, just say no!

I have never had any problems with the cops concerning my blacked out markers. The key is to do light coats....my stock bulbs still shine amber when the lights are on. Also went thru state inspection with nothing said about them or the smoked overlays over my reverse and rear signals. Again they still light white and amber respectively when engaged.

 

[5PADZAM]

As long as they still light up the correct color, you should be OK. Although you can still be ticketed if they are too dim because of the tint. But it also depends on how the lenient the local law enforcement is. Around here they will pull you over for the slightest thing. Sure, you won't get a ticket if the lights light up the correct color, but it's still a hassle getting pulled over. I was merely pointing out that it's something he should be aware of.

 

[Demoniam]

I've had tinted turn signals on my last 2 cars. In the last 5 years, I have always passed inspection, and have not been harassed by the cops. I say yes to tinting the turn signals, No to the Altezas, and Yes to tinting the stock tails!

 

[Kpg2713]

Altezza's=junk. If you want lamin-x makes smoked vinyl for lights that looks great and lets light pass through np. You could do the tails with that if you wanted. The amber signals would be fine clear or smoked. I had a white miata that i used the lamin-x stuff on the signals and tails and it looked great and I never had an issue with he law.

 

[fishdonotbounce]

alright thanks for the input guys. I think what Im gonna do is get the turn signals tinted but as far as the stock tails, Im not sure yet. Anyone have pictures of tinted stock tails on white p5? I know bkjt or whatever has them tinted so maybe ill ask him.

 

[CTt3P5]

Here are those pics...

1. Fogs w/smoked Rockblocker's
2. Tinted bumper markers
3. Black alteeza's
4. Black alteeza's w/BlueBatmobile smoked overlays
5. Same as #4 but with chrome bulbs in place of stockers (still light amber but no egg yolk effect).

 

[fishdonotbounce]

hmmmm so whats the whole fitment issue that people are talking about? your tails look like they fit perfect

 

[CTt3P5]

hmmmm so whats the whole fitment issue that people are talking about? your tails look like they fit perfect

Take a look at pic #5 and compare the gap to the gap you have w/the stockers. It is definitely larger. I have no issues with them rattling or ever being loose, just poor fitment. One thing I did have to do was drill some holes in the PS light on the bottom. Whenever it rained water was getting inside and the lens would be fogged. Since I did this, I have had no more fogging, even when sprayed directly with the hose when washing.

 

[CTt3P5]

I was merely pointing out that it's something he should be aware of.

I understand and very nice of you to point it out. I was just saying I have had no issues since doing mine. Guess it depends on your local police and what kind of day they are having. lol

But if you do tint them......light coats!!!!! (ask me how I know)

 

[5PADZAM]

I understand and very nice of you to point it out. I was just saying I have had no issues since doing mine. Guess it depends on your local police and what kind of day they are having. lol

But if you do tint them......light coats!!!!! (ask me how I know)

No worries. I wish the law around here didn't have such a big stick up their butts. Notice the front corners on my Tahoe in my avatar? They are clear in the picture. I had to get OEM amber ones right after this picture was taken or I would have to pay a fine.

 

[redpr5]

JDM taillights FTW
tinted fogs yes
blacked out side markers ehhh i wouldnt. id shave them off instead (they dont blink so technically you cant get in trouble for not having them, at least not here)

 

[L8R]

Look up 'ghost' His white Protege 5 was a clean example of how a protege 5 should look. IMO.

 

[fishdonotbounce]

ok now if anyone wants to trade jdm tails for my tails plus cash I'd love to do so

 

[mx-p5]

Bumping back up for any info on clear front bumper markers.

Anybody got links? I ebay'd em but came up with the same cheap crap I can get at my local autozone. Is there one that fits nicely and looks good? I havn't heard of anyone taking them off an RX-7. Anybody got info on that?

Tylor

 

[MonkeyBone]

My answer for front bumper markers: Get rid of the bulbs and to not think of it for the rest of my life. Same thing with the license plate lights.

Best thing I've done to this car.

I don't know where you guys live but here..cops won't bother you for the lights unless you have snowplow low bumpers or 160 db exhaust.

 

[murda79]

Forget about celica and rx7 markers, ive had the rx7 ones and they don't look good, they stick out too far. My favorite recent mod is 94-02 accord marker lights, you need to cut the bumper to get them to fit and also get couplers which I purchased at the honda dealership. They have the marker light in smoke too, which was perfect for my theme. There is a how-to post on toprotege; http://www.toprotege.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17501