Taillights - tint or paint

[nastynogales]

not sure which is best, any recommendations which is better?

One shop says paint is better because of the grooves our tails have.

I know some already had theirs tinted, any reason not to paint it?

 

[DarkSpeed3]

Im sure you have seen mine... but in case you havent, there they are. The film worked just fine for me (I wrapped the edges around the back of the lights to prevent any lifting.

 

[DarkSpeed3]

any reason not to paint it?

Only problem would be if the cops pulled you over, you would have to worry about getting the paint off. The film is removable.

 

[nynhex]

Only problem would be if the cops pulled you over, you would have to worry about getting the paint off. The film is removable.

I still think your film job looks sick. I'm going to pull mine off when I go to redo the vinyl. The installer said we need 70f weather so they will cure properly so I'm having to wait until our weather in Houston warms up a bit.

 

[nastynogales]

thanks guys, when you used the film, did you remove the entire tail light, or just applied it right on?

 

[ProtoType5]

Remove the light. It will make it much easier to tuck the film around the edges to help hold it in place.

 

[Raymo853]

Looks great, but so unsafe.

 

[nynhex]

Looks great, but so unsafe.

As long as the film allows you to display light at a distance of 400-500ft it's safe. I've had no problems with people seeing me so far (including cops).

 

[meicalnissyen]

As long as the film allows you to display light at a distance of 400-500ft it's safe. I've had no problems with people seeing me so far (including cops).

Yeah, I have not been pulled for my nightshade, but its a off disgression call, so on any given day......
objectively, highend LED, will get you the needed punch.

and an advantage of night shade is I was quite a bit thinner in the middle of the lens

 

[shingojr]

I still think your film job looks sick. I'm going to pull mine off when I go to redo the vinyl. The installer said we need 70f weather so they will cure properly so I'm having to wait until our weather in Houston warms up a bit.

Just wonder where you got ur done at? I live in Houston too and thinking about tinting the tail light.

 

[nynhex]

Just wonder where you got ur done at? I live in Houston too and thinking about tinting the tail light.

At Underground Graphics off of Dunvale/Daffodil in the Westchase area. They are expensive but do good work. I'm still waiting for the weather to warm up so I can go back in and have it redone.

 

[JS + MS3]

why the hell would you want to paint your tailight??

 

[tunersteve]

First things first, pick up a set of these:

http://www.corksport.com/mazda-oem-j-spec-mazdaspeed-axela-tail-lights.html

Then tint them. DarkSpeed's lights look fantastic.

 

[nastynogales]

^^i already did, but won't they're on back order until March

I might just keep led lights clear or just tint the clear parts, leaving the red as-is....

 

[tunersteve]

^^i already did, but won't they're on back order until March

I might just keep led lights clear or just tint the clear parts, leaving the red as-is....

I like what you did there...

The nice thing is that they'll be much brighter at night with those LEDs than the stock tails. I'd still throw a tint on them, there's too much white shining through on the 2010s.

 

[nynhex]

I like what you did there...

The nice thing is that they'll be much brighter at night with those LEDs than the stock tails. I'd still throw a tint on them, there's too much white shining through on the 2010s.

Only problem with the J-spec lights are are you only get the outter tails with them. If you want a set of inside tails you'd have to source them from Mazda or an OEM supplier.

 

[shingojr]

any DIY on how to wrap the film on the corner, DarkSpeed? I kinda wanna do it myself..

 

[gogogomoveit]

Ever thought about making red ones, Darkspeed?

 

[nynhex]

any DIY on how to wrap the film on the corner, DarkSpeed? I kinda wanna do it myself..

There's no specific DIY that I've seen yet. Darkspeed3 might be able to give you some tips, but let's just say it's not easy. The videos on DecalFX's youtube channel will really help you get started.

Some tips:

1.) Don't use 3M Film/Vinyl its way thin and you have to use 2 layers to get it dark.

2.) Pull the lights off the car to wrap them.

3.) Buy more material than you need, you'll want to wrap the all the way to the end of the housing.

4.) Use wet method, it's trickier but can make things easier for you.

5.) BE PATIENT. This takes time, get a friend or two to hold the lights and the heat gun while you're stretching/wrapping.

I'm about to do my own pretty soon, my vendor isn't holding up to their side by redoing mine that peeled bad.

Btw, red would look great! I'm considering it myself actually.

 

[DarkSpeed3]

You will find some helpful tips on these vids....
http://www.youtube.com/user/DecalfxVideos