My tailight tint is TOO DARK!!

[BlacknBlues]

so i tinted my tail lights the other day...more like blacked them out. I checked early in the morning to see if the lights would show through, even tho they barely did, i thought it would be cool. That is until i was backing out of a parking space and some lady almost hit me because she didnt see my reverse lights.

ANY ideas on how to lighten up the tint?? or would LEDs work?

 

[Preloader]

You are SOOO SCREWED!!

If you tinted with vinyl tint, just remove it. If you sprayed tint, you are pretty much SOL. You can buy a pair of replacement tails for about $150 each.

 

[BKamp613]

I've removed VHT with goof-off before if thats what you tinted with. Give that a shot. Not like you have anything to lose.

 

[sonic007]

Nothing a good wetsand cant fix. Gonna take some time though. Ive done it before.

 

[BlacknBlues]

I used rustoleom lense tint..i've heard paint thinner works as well..ill figure something out before I just fork over $400 for new tails

 

[Stew]

Here's a tip from the modeling world if it's spray on tint, use the regular yellow cap oven cleaner. It'll remove paint but won't touch plastic. I would remove the tail lights from your car so you don't risk damaging your paint job.

 

[BlacknBlues]

I went ahead and used paint thinner and sand paper..now its kind of dull...can I just wax and polish it to restore it?

 

[423]

Here's a tip from the modeling world if it's spray on tint, use the regular yellow cap oven cleaner. It'll remove paint but won't touch plastic. I would remove the tail lights from your car so you don't risk damaging your paint job.

I like that! Great idea!!

423

 

[sx sonic]

Bummer dude. No advise for the dull look, just a guess to use that headlight brightening stuff? might work.

Unfortunately paint thinner and plastics aren't very good friends, they tend to fight with paint thinner being the winner. I would have tried one of the other recommendations 1st, however sometimes you gotta get by "right now" and just give it your best guess.

If you can't find a solution for the dull lights, ask around here for the best place for replacements so you can maybe save some dollars.

 

[Beastlick]

if you used sand paper, its now scratched. Not the end of the world. Spray a clear coat on it and it will be as good as new. You can usually buy diplicolor can clear from autozone.

 

[MrSnuggles]

When you say blacked out as in no light could be seen at all? I know you already took care of this, but i was wondering if you had any pictures of before and well of the after?

 

[Dragcamaro]

when i tint tail lights, i like to over do them, then spend an hour or so with polishing compound wearing it down, you can take it all the way down or just a little for a smoked look. plus then theyre really smooth and some clear makes them look amazing

 

[Suavedom]

i did that to mines when i first them them used gas to get it off and it works GREAT

 

[SonicBoy24]

Also, I found this out by accident, if you use hi-solv on your tailight tint it will take the tint off as well.

 

[Patgt500]

Nail polish remover works like a champ as well, which is why the wife no longer has any...

 

[barch88]

This is why I'm using Lamin-X film. http://www.lamin-x.com/Chevy-Sonic-Hatch-12-Tail-Light-Covers-p/ch630.htm

 

[sonic24740]

This is why I'm using Lamin-X film. Chevy Sonic Hatch (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) Tail Light Tint Smoked Film Covers

wow wish i would've found that before i spray tinted mine..

 

[barch88]

wow wish i would've found that before i spray tinted mine..

Yeha a coworker has them on his bug eyed subaru, looks really good. Only thing I hate is that I don't have fog lights but in order to buy the headlight package it comes with foglight tint, so it's going to be a waste

 

[ahtoxa]

I pulled up behind a Camaro RS the other day and in bright daylight I could not see his brake lights until I was within 10 feet behind him coming to a stop.

I think that's idiotic, if you ask me. No way in hell would I want to reduce my visibility to others in a world of people texting and generally not paying attention behind the wheel. Often enough a change in peripheral vision is the only thing getting their attention. Remove that by them not seeing the lights come on and you're asking to get rear ended.

More so, you may be held liable if your brake lights did not meet DOT requirements, which heavily tinted lights surely do not. Not worth the hassle.

 

[SouthFLSonic]

Yeha a coworker has them on his bug eyed subaru, looks really good. Only thing I hate is that I don't have fog lights but in order to buy the headlight package it comes with foglight tint, so it's going to be a waste

I have been telling anyone I can find about Lamin-X film. That's what I put on my tails and couldn't be happier with light output and how easy it was to install, surprised more people here haven't tried it.

They have a whole front clear bra they sell and it includes the front turn signals and I've been wanting to email them and see if they can cut the turn signals in charcoal so I can tint my corners.