POLL: Lamin-X Tail Light Color

[Silentnoise713]

I've been wanting to buy Lamin-X tint for my tail lights but can't decide on color. I was about to pull the trigger for ‘Red’ but then though since I already have 20% tint (otherwise stock silver car), Red vertical tail lights might break up the flow from the rear quarter panel window to rear hatch window being tinted. Now I’m torn on three colors, Red, Tint, and Gun smoke…

Anyone good with Photoshop who can help me make 3 iterations for a better visual?

http://www.lamin-x.com/Mazda-5-05-10-Tail-Light-Covers-p/m221.htm

 

[hurschel]

I'll watch this, I too would like to tone down the big honking lights that dominate and break up the good looks of the rest of the 5. I vote for the Smoke, don't like the really dark and doesn't look like the Tint would tame it down much.

 

[DKaz]

I too vote for smoke. Gun smoke and tint don't look strong enough. Combine with new generation Cree LED lights and your tail/brake lights will look brighter than ever.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I too vote for smoke...

Well you can't vote for something that's not an option

I'm not a fan of the knight rider look. I like Red but have concerns with reverse light being red. I saw a 330 on the road yesterday with a light’er’ Lamin-X tint (gun smoke or smoke) and it looks good. However, I like a shade lighter. As much as I don't want the tail lights to create separation, I don't want it to be the same darkness as my windows.

 

[DKaz]

Haha.

The red would be good but ask if there is a cutout for the reverse lights. Seems the Bimmer 3 has it but the 5 doesn't?

 

[hurschel]

Where's flcruising when you need him, he did a fantastic job with PS on the front bumper and grill on a red 5, bet he could do the rear lights in each of the colors. Here's a corner shot, maybe he'll pick up in the hint....

 

[slyderdai]

on the '10 I have to say red. Why? Because it looks effing dope! I actually do this for a living (vinyl wraps and crap) if your car was white or red I would say either of the other colors would compliment it very well.

 

[flcruising]

Where's flcruising when you need him, he did a fantastic job with PS on the front bumper and grill on a red 5, bet he could do the rear lights in each of the colors. Here's a corner shot, maybe he'll pick up in the hint....

Haha, this is the first day I've seen this post. I'll tint them once I get to a computer with PS.

 

[BPboiler3]

I attempted doing my tails with the 'tint' color...epic fail...too large of an area for my skill set I guess....good luck with whatever choice you end up making!

 

[Silentnoise713]

Please share how you 'failed'. What was hard and lessons learned? Do you have any experience tinting a car? I can't imagine this being more difficult but the 'pre cut' part might be tricky bc it has to be aan exact fit/alignment. I recall you got the RED color right? Can you confirm if the whole piece was red or is there a cut out or clear section for the reverse light? Excluding the difficult part, would you choose the same color? Thanks.



Edit: fail for not seeing that you had 'tint' color. Doh!

 

[BPboiler3]

yeah I had the tint version...ive never tinted car windows before but its the curves and height on this one that really got me

basically what I can say about it was I think I wasnt quick enough and maybe used too much water..I started at the top of the tail light and worked down and by the time I got all of the wrinkles out (for the most part that is) and got down to the bottom of the housing the film was not adhering and had lost its tack so it was peeling up on the bottom edge...I may have exaggerated when I say epic fail...it wasnt that epic...but I wasnt happy with how it turned out and the peeling up so I just scrapped it and saved the other side for extra material next time I get bored ill have some around

hope that helps...def wouldnt hurt to have a 2nd set of hands imo

did a 'quick' chop of the red for you with the sport tails....should look pretty dope in red also

 

[Silentnoise713]

Thanks for the PS chop. So this leads me to conclude that it is a solid red piece WITHOUT any cutout for the reverse lights, correct? I may have concerns with that for inspection... Also, did the tint paper come with anything else (solution or squeegee)? Did it come with instructions to use a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the tint to bend and conform to curves? I though this stuff was very flexible.

I've been noticing new Audi's have all red tails (except reverse) and it does look pretty hot.

 

[flcruising]

Edit: sorry, posted the first set before looking at the Lamin-X link posted. See if this is more accurate??

 

[Silentnoise713]

(wow) where can I place my order!?!?

 

[DKaz]

You may have to cut it out yourself. The cutout location would be different from the 06-07, 08-10 non LEDs, and the 08-10 LEDs. But I say skip the Red and go Gun Smoke.

 

[red headz]

on the '10 I have to say red. Why? Because it looks effing dope! I actually do this for a living (vinyl wraps and crap) if your car was white or red I would say either of the other colors would compliment it very well.

slyderdai -

I still have your Oracal 8300 film ready to install, but the wife has sorta lost enthusiasm. When I get the job done, I will post picts.
michael.

 

[coolmazda5]

Tint! Oh, sorry too late

 

[hurschel]

Thanks flcruising, I'll have to change my vote to Red, I like it

 

[Robotazky]

Tint gets my vote.

 

[flcruising]

Yea, tint gets my vote too. Ours has the LED tails, and if you've ever driven behind one at night, those brakes are almost obnoxiously bright point lights. Hopefully the tint would help diffuse it somewhat.