Tinting Tail Lights: Which Method Did You USe?

[QwikSHO]

Looks great!  How is the brightness on the tails... got any night pics.  This could look great on my tux black one too.

Best I could do without taking her out of the garage...

[BiGMaC]

I appreciate that!.... raining cats and dogs here.  Thanks for the pic... I love the definition the tint provided on the side marker. 

[steve142857]

2013's already has tinted headlights, so I am looking at matching that tint on the tail lights only.

This is not correct.

Tail lights are NOT tinted from the factory.

The attached images were all culled from FMC directly, or Ford Dealership Sales Lots as examples there of:

Mike: if you read his comment again, he was mentioning that the headlights were tinted from factory, not the tail lights...
I would believe they are indeed a bit darker on the recent model...

[bpd1151]

You're right. I misread. But either way, neither are tinted.

Ford wouldn't presume the liability of tinting either heads, or tails from the factory.

Hell, all one has to do, is to go out to any dealer lot for themselves and look.

Back on topic, local company I used to do my heads and tails, used a vinyl film. It wasn't Lamin-X, but IDK what mfg'er it was either.

I mentioned this in PM to dje624, when he posted about his (albeit negative) experience when removing the film from his heads, which he said damaged the exterior surface.

I noticed a bubble in/on one of my assemblies, which I took back to them, and they removed the original vinyl material, w/o any adverse side effects.

Hope that's of some help to the OP.

I've heard of people having used the VHT "nightshades" spray on stuff, but the results weren't nearly as good as with the film.

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[SRT82ECOBOOST]

It would be of incredible importance if people would just read the title of a thread. I just don't start a thread by saying "Tint: Not just for windows anymore!!!". I use the same methodology that I use for technical writing of a important email or proposal of Subject Heading: Subject Description. I would like to think by posting thread in this manner it actually concentrates efforts to stay on topic and also to help with the ability to search for this thread for future users.
Just to set the facts straight about the front headlights on a 2013, they might not be tinted but they are sure as hell smoked and this is what I want to match with my tail lights.

[bpd1151]

Well stated, & agreed. :clap1:

A constant challenge for everyone (in any/every community).

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[BiGMaC]

So..... Back on point:

Steve's car looks great, mj has it and told us it's easy to install, bpd wrapped his lighjts (even if it was possibly another brand), the website you posted at the start has all the details on light transmission, warranty, comparison with other methods, et.c.  .... SRT, I'm not sure what you'll decide, and I might like a few more testimonials from the community......

but I'm asking Santa right now to put a Charcoal  SHO Taillight kit in my stocking!   

[2Canches]

Didn't know we was on first name basis. Hello. My name is iJason

[Darkside]

The Lamin-x does not cut down the taillight output affect any safety issue.  The stock led's are overly bright and remain very bright even after the tint.  Someone mentioned nightshades which I've used in the past and never again.  If one wants to have lights tinted with paint its fairly simple.  Use some wet 2000 grit sand paper to scuff the lights, heavier paper if you want to sand off any numbers on the outside.  Have a bodyshop paint them with a 4/1 clear to black base.  Then have them shoot it with one or two coats depending on dark you want it.  Personally I will eventually go with one coat on the headlights, and 2 or 3 on the tails.

[2Canches]

Wow interesting. I have the carp old lights in my f150. I Wish I had bright L.E.D.s

[BiGMaC]

Suntek carbonxp has been recommended on another forum.

The Suntek Carbon XP (CXP) does look good on the website.  I couldn't find a place for the end user to purchase it... and I suspect it comes in large rolls for installer use. So you might need someone to sell you a little bit.   A comparison chart is on the website, but Lamin-X is not there.  Really intended for window tint and car bras I think.  Definitely worth knowing about. a good looking non fading and non-metallic (won't interfere with cellphone, wireless, blutooth) film .http://www.suntekfilms.com/automotive/automotive-cxp.aspx

I still think I'll go Laminex, Gunsmoke front and Charcoal tails... the precut is already tested for the curves and protrusions on HL and TL on the car. Just personal choice... and laziness.

I'd like to go with a brighter LED for the backup lights to go with the 30% reduction in light transmission.  Anyone have a suggestion for a "super bright" LED backup bulb mod?

[mjhpadi]

I have a pair of LED bulbs that are supposed to fit the '13 backup socket...they do not fit the 10-12's, so I would sell them to you for 20 bucks, I think they were around 20 a piece plus shipping....they are the same bulbs that Geswek used and are supposed to be super bright.

[StrawHatShinobi]

I tinted my old truck with a Rustoleum tint, to get the smoke look the overlays create just about makes the light totally invisible.  Luckily it hadn't cured completely so a little gas took it right off.  I pulled out my paint gun and grabbed some clear from a buddy of mine that has a body shop.  Turned out MUCH better, a few coats of that, some wet sanding and buffing and I was happy.  But honestly for the amount of time that took I'd have been better off just getting overlays, lol