Tinting tails: Spray or tint film?

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:22 pm

So, im bored today, its the first day that I have had off from work in the past 6 days and im going to tint my tails.

I really want to get the tint film that you buy from autozone or walmart instead of painting them, I think that the film will probably emit light better than the paint. What kind do you think would be good? the 20% kind? I have no idea.

But I have also seen painting the tails with good results also. What are your opinions?

-Jacob

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:25 pm

Personally, some days i wish i would of went with professional tint, because i just think it looks cleaner. But that's just it, -professional- not going to autozone and getting tint and doing it yourself.

Then again, if you're good with paint, you can make tinted tails look DAMN impressive. (look at lilsparkplugs SRT and neonon19s i believe)

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:56 pm

Using window tint isnt the right way to go. I dont think it will mold to the curves correctly.

http://www.decalfx.com

^^^I was guna use this stuff but it was out of my reach money wise. I went with Niteshades though. Check out my garage so you can see how mine came out.

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:02 pm

^^^

If you make a template and cut the tint correctly it could work, why wouldnt it?

-Jacob

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:08 pm

Ive handled the window tint from wally world and it seems so dam stiff. And yes i did the windex/soapy water thing. The stuff from that site is some vinyl shit. They have some that are pre-cut for the 03+ Tails. Theres a vid of how they apply it on a WRX. check it out

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:16 pm

yeh, i saw it, I have 00-02 tails so that site isnt really an option.

And actually, my walmart sells this vinyl like tint film, I took it out of the roll once and it seemed like it might work. If I buy it, and it doesnt seem like it will work than I can take it back I guess. Im still on the fence though.

any more opinions?

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:39 pm

Someone used a hobby spray paint that they said was better than Niteshades. I cant vouch tho. And if the film seems flexible enough then try it.

Niteshades and Duplicolor clear. Sanded and buffed

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:37 pm

I used nightshades and clearcoat on mine. And I'm a painter so it comes a bit easier for me. Ill post some pictures at the end of this. Window tinting film is not meant for exterior use since its mean to be applied to the inside of a window. Its not meant to handle the weather conditions of day to day life. Your best bet would be to spray them with hobby tint, nightshades, etc. Or even try something like www.rockblocker.com which is what I have on my foglights. Its VERY durable and thick, unlike tint.

Here are my tails, nice n glossy

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:26 pm

Crystal, how many coats did you apply?

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:38 pm

As as side note, I will have my OE '02 tails that I can give you. I won't need them with the SRT bumper. It would give you a set to experiment on.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:08 pm

Too many actually LOL. They are damn near black. I took all of the old nightshades off and re-shaded them because something scratched one. There is probably 6+ coats on them. And then 3 wet coats of clear.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:23 pm

I need another coat or two of clear on these (maybe tomorrow). But come on, leaving the reverse white just looks uber sexy.

glasswars · Post by **glasswars** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:57 pm

Personally,

www.rockblocker.com
www.lamin-x.com

Rockblockers 20%.

I think I'm gonna do 35% this time around.

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:08 pm

^^^

Yeh, your old car is the one that made me want to use a vinyl overlay. I don't see overlays for 00-02 tails though where did yours?

-Jacob

glasswars · Post by **glasswars** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:24 pm

I had buy the bulk sheets, then just cut off the excess.

onewickedkid05 · Post by **onewickedkid05** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:48 am

<-----hobby town spray tint for model cars the one i used was enamel based so i had to use an enamel clear but i sprayed that sucker on THICK and it didnt run in about 85 degree weather.

I think mine came out better then my buddys and he used the VHT.

when i tried using VHT the first time it ran easy.....i would say use spray just take your time it isnt that hard

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 4:06 pm

ZeroChad wrote:I need another coat or two of clear on these (maybe tomorrow). But come on, leaving the reverse white just looks uber sexy.

Not only does it look better, you can actually see when backing up.

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:10 pm

^^^Mine are perfectly visible and theyre completely black

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:11 pm

Ebay has a taillight overlay for the 00-02 for about $25. I bought some so I'll see how the quality is when it arrives next week. I think they only do the smoked color though, but that's plenty dark for me.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:52 pm

jetas wrote:^^^Mine are perfectly visible and theyre completely black

Really? My friend's SRTs that have them totally nightshaded they look yellowish when lit up and very dim. Thats where I formed my opinion from.

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:01 pm

Well, I think I'm going to get Jon's taillights and nightshade them, then If I don't like it, I can always buy the film.

Sounds like a good plan to me.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:03 pm

There you go! And if you do like it, sell your stockers...or vice versa if you don't like it. That works perfectly.

Post pictures when you're done.

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:12 pm

Yep

and just so I dont have to search, where can you buy the UPOL clear?

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:14 pm

Autobody supply stores in your area. Or a quick google search for UPOL Clear No. 1 will bring up a bunch of online stores that sell it.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:21 pm

Just got the ebay film tint in the mail today: Taillight Tint film
It's not cheap static film, it's nice quality adhesive film. I expected a much cheaper product being from ebay. Took me a while to get it right, but much easier than spraying and sanding. It's not too dark, so I'm not worried about cops.

I prefer installing the tint with as little soapy water as possible, it's easier to stretch and manipulate, and sticks faster. I used my fingers and a bondo mixer for a squeegee.

onewickedkid05 · Post by **onewickedkid05** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:07 pm

very nice

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:38 pm

They came out good man. Can you get a close up shot of them? And you should have done a How-to...

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:15 pm

Here are some close up shots:

Left-
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/ ... 0_2107.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/ ... 0_2108.jpg

Right-
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/ ... 0_2109.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/ ... 0_2112.jpg

There isn't really much of a how-to to make, there is a link in the auction that covers installation. It's the same as doing vinyl or any other tint, it just takes a little patience. I'm sure google has a bunch of articles covering it.

I think spraying it might look a bit cleaner since the clear coat shines and reflects a little more. I would have, but I did enough sanding in auto body to last a lifetime and I avoid it like the plague.

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:50 pm

They look good. Im going that route if i choose to redo mine.

Mat00ES · Post by **Mat00ES** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:02 am

I used the RC car tint, I effed up the clear though. Whats a safe way to strip them of the tint and clear?

Thats before I cleared them.