Smoked tail lights

[TDIESEL]

I was debating on whether to buy some R32 smoked tail lights or OEM LED one's but then came cross this http://www.lamin-x.com/VW-Golf-GTI-R...2009-s/747.htm

Anyone tried it? Heaps cheaper than $500 plus for new tails. Tinted headlights would look good on CW too.

[Maverick]

Isn't the purpose of the headlights to enable you to see and and the tail lights to enable those behind to see you brake etc? Those films cut the light output by adding another layer, the oem units are designed to emit the same amount of light despite the darker look.

The tail lights are very curved, I doubt that without a lot of experience you can fit them without blowing $100 worth of adhesive, I've seen a few people post about trying to fit them to the Mark 5 tail lights and they've had no luck and given up. Search golfmkv.com and vwvortex as it was on one of those sites.

[Treza360]

Tinted/Smoked tail lights look good when you see them on another car (sometimes) but I reckon it gets old pretty quick when and you come to realise that the VW or whoever the manufacturer is got it right in the first place and I'm always glad I've stuck with my OEM lights.
One discrepancy with this though is the US spec MkIV R32 tail lights look ass in comparison to the Euro spec lights that everyone else got including us.
However if you're looking at changing your lights, it might be worth heading to a tinters and seeing if they can tint your lights that way. Even if you just do it to see if you like the look, it's going to be cheaper than the lamin-x stuff and definitely replacement lights.
Cheers,
Trent

[TDIESEL]

Isn't the purpose of the headlights to enable you to see and and the tail lights to enable those behind to see you brake etc?
Those films cut the light output by adding another layer, the oem units are designed to emit the same amount of light despite the darker look.

You feeling a bit off today Mav? I thought you would have quoted the ADR's which tell me I'm a naughty boy if I go ahead with this

The tail lights are very curved, I doubt that without a lot of experience you can fit them without blowing $100 worth of adhesive, I've seen a few people post about trying to fit them to the Mark 5 tail lights and they've had no luck and given up. Search golfmkv.com and vwvortex as it was on one of those sites.

I actually found them on golfmkv.com and the consensus was pretty much anyone could do it and end product was very effective. Just wanted to share my find here and see if anyone here has actually done it.

[Russ59]

I think dark tint on the rear tail lights is an excellent idea.... especially if you are planning on having the rear end of your car modified by another driver because they didn't see your brake lights

[TDIESEL]

I think dark tint on the rear tail lights is an excellent idea.... especially if you are planning on having the rear end of your car modified by another driver because they didn't see your brake lights

LOL. Perhaps I should have added that I'd only consider the lightest tint (they offer a few different shades). Seen plenty of cars with tinted lights and can still clearly see their, tail, indicator and brake lights when operating. Maybe my eyesight is exceptional for a 40yo

[Russ59]

LOL. Perhaps I should have added that I'd only consider the lightest tint (they offer a few different shades). Seen plenty of cars with tinted lights and can still clearly see their, tail, indicator and brake lights when operating. Maybe my eyesight is exceptional for a 40yo

I'm pushing 50 mate and I don't honestly see the sense it making a car any more difficult for other drivers to see what direction you're planning on going in it That's just my personal preference, hey, it's your car and your rear end

[Greg Roles]

I've got an unused rear set, after the absolute SAGA I had trying to fit a front one, I came to the conclusion after about an hour and a half that stickers, curved surfaces, and no amount of heat and soap solution was going to make a nice job. The film is awesome quality, but the golf is just so curved, it has to bunch somewhere. I wish you all the very, very best of luck man!

[TDIESEL]

I don't honestly see the sense it making a car any more difficult for other drivers to see what direction you're planning on going in it

Assuming everyone actually uses their indicators

[TDIESEL]

I've got an unused rear set, after the absolute SAGA I had trying to fit a front one, I came to the conclusion after about an hour and a half that stickers, curved surfaces, and no amount of heat and soap solution was going to make a nice job. The film is waesome quality, but the golf is just so curved, it has to bunch somewhere. I wish you all the very, very best of luck man!

Yay!! Some real life feedback I haven't actually decided on using it yet, was just seeing if there were any aussie guinea pigs who had.

[benough]

Yeah I want to get the headlightarmour.com ones but upon contemplation applying them to a multicurved surface sounds well hard.

I always seem to bugger up my rego sticker so I doubt my skill would do me any favours for the tail lights.

I did hear a mention once of having the tint film applied porfessionally?

I'm with you TDIESEL, a tint is much cheaper than a new set of tailights and who is gonna buy your old set anyway?

[maca]

Whaaaat about for the Jetta.. I rather like the tail lights on the R36, would they fit? They're a little smoked around the edges but still leaves the LED circles clear as day.

[aristocrat]

Mate, I reckon the best way to 'tint' those lights would be to get a lens tint spray can from your modelling shop, try it on some clear film plastic, then put this on top of your lens to see the amount/degree of tint, and if its suitable.

As mentioned by others, a light tint makes it look nice, and too dark a tint will obviously obliterate light emitting from your brake lights, which can be a hazard.

I would suggest if the tint suits you, you can prep the surface by preferably removing the whole taillight unit, wash it with some soapy water, then lightly rub the surface with a fine scotchbrite, then spray the tint on. Afterwards, take it over to a bodyworks whereby they can put 2-3 coats of 2-pack clear on top of it. I've done it in the past in my garage (sans active charcoal mask), but I figured I only sprayed 2 lenses and I have access to all the 2-pack stuff.....

Ideally if its sprayed in the spray booth, its dustless and the end result will be a hard wearing 'smoked' lens. Why don't you ask around some bodyworks and see if they're happy to do this for you?

Good luck

[sixfootchoc]

Just picked up a pair of mkV R32 tails. $600 inc.

Will post some pics once they're on - R32 owners, please remain silent while i wallow in my own crapulence.