Taillights

[geralis32]

Hey all if have seen my car before i have done a terrible job of blackening out my taillights on my r32, i have used layer
upon layer of black spray paint, to nightshade, to clear gloss. i hit the wall today and have had enough and decided to
try and get rid of it, Ben on the forum here had his bora tailights tinted and used wet sandpaper to slowly remove
the paint, and the gloss of the original taillights as well, but with a bit of polish they have come up alright, so i
decided to go out on a leg and try something a little different


applying it with a cloth, it rubbed straight off, both tail lights done in less than 10mins

they are usually a bit darker, but look bad in direct sunlight

after one rub you can see it starting to remove the paint ontop



Halfway



finished product

look as good as they did i bought the car

i am still interested in blackening them out again, but would probably do some research before i go ahead and start spraying things
looking at applying possibly a film tint or something like that
open to any suggestions

Cheers
Alex

[gregozedobe]

i am still interested in blackening them out again, but would probably do some research before i go ahead and start spraying things looking at applying possibly a film tint or something like that
open to any suggestions

How much would that reduce the brightness of your lights (and therefore visibility to driver's following you) ?

I would be concerned that you are leaving yourself open to a claim by a driver who has just rear-ended you to tell the police he/she couldn't see your tail lights and/or brake lights because they were tinted ?

If the police check your lights you could end up being regarded as the "at fault" driver, and getting booked as well for being unroadworthy. Then your insrance company could deny your claim (becuase your car was unroadworthy) and you end up liable to pay for repairs to both cars out of your pocket

[geralis32]

i have been pulled over by police many times and had my car searched, they have never said anything about the taillights, i have photos of before and after blackening them out, and there is no difference at all in the amount of light coming though the lens. and plus if i put a tint or get them properly tinted it filters less light than the spray did

[Maverick]

i have been pulled over by police many times and had my car searched, they have never said anything about the taillights, i have photos of before and after blackening them out, and there is no difference at all in the amount of light coming though the lens. and plus if i put a tint or get them properly tinted it filters less light than the spray did

BS! Did you measure them by using a light meter? You can't add layers and layers of black paint without reducing the amount of light that can be transmitted through the lense. Argue it isn't so all you like but common sense should tell you the answer and you contradict yourself with "there is no difference at all in the amount of light coming through" and immediately in the same sentence say "plus if I get a tint it filters less light than the spray does"!

I'll make it simple for you to understand. Windows tint works on reducing the light that be transmitted through the glass/plastic, this makes what is behind the glass/plastic appear darker. There is no magical way that light from the bulbs and also the reflectors (which is a big issue as you removed the other reflectors) can pass through this tint without being affected. The R32 tails are already borderline as far as ADR's go and this is why the fit the extra reflectors on the rear bumper, by you making them darker and removing the lower reflectors you're making your car unroadworthy. Just because the police haven't picked it up yet doesn't mean they're legal in any way as you will find out if you've involved in a serious or fatal accident.

An unroadworthy car means no or limited insurance cover in the event of an accident.

[NabzGTI]

Try looking into a product called "VHT Nightshade Spray". Check http://www.caswellplating.com/vht/vht_spec.htm# and scroll down to the Nightshade Spray section about half way down the page.

A helpful link: http://www.smokedtaillightstint.com/

But again, I'm not sure how legal tail light tinting is.. specially when it comes to insurance claims.

Being a P-plater who drives an R32 im sure you can afford to experiment, so you can even buy an eBay set of tail lights that you like which are DOT approved (you'd be surprised at the variety you can find which might suit your needs).. and then you can send me your current lights

[geralis32]

hahah yeah i have tried the night shade, i found it really hard to apply, very very runny when you spray and struggles to come out the nozzle at the right constancy to do an even coat

[NabzGTI]

Ahh well that sucks! Might need to look into film tint then.. or ebay

[scotty1991]

Window tinting film, keep adding layers till its dark enough

[Silver dub]

Pm wabit about tinting your taillights. He used spray tint on his passat but he used the correct method to do so and there not a matt finish. From what he told me I think it involves wet sanding a few times and clear coating. You would think his are oem,

[Getti]

The R32 tails are already borderline as far as ADR's go and this is why the fit the extra reflectors on the rear bumper, by you making them darker and removing the lower reflectors you're making your car unroadworthy.

I am considering fitting R32 lights to my GTI (I like the OEM look). Without the extra reflectors on the bumper like the R32 has, this is possibly not legal?

Maverick, you mentioned that R32 tails are already borderline as far as ADR's go. Curious on how you know it is boarderline and whether you think the same lights fitted to a GTI is potentially an issue. Thanks.

[NabzGTI]

I am considering fitting R32 lights to my GTI (I like the OEM look). Without the extra reflectors on the bumper like the R32 has, this is possibly not legal?

Maverick, you mentioned that R32 tails are already borderline as far as ADR's go. Curious on how you know it is boarderline and whether you think the same lights fitted to a GTI is potentially an issue. Thanks.

Thats why I asked geralis32 to get a new set of tail lights and send me his current ones. I want R32 tails.. and no they wouldnt be illegal because they are an OEM item.

[Pharkus]

I think you may have missed the point. Maverick was trying to point out that darkening OEM R32 taillights may be borderline in terms of legality in accordance with the relevant ADR. This is the reason why there are additional rear reflectors on the rear bumper of an R32 as opposed to none on a GTI (whose tailights are OEM but UNTINTED).

Therefore, whilst the tinted R32 OEM taillights are acceptable on an R32 (due to extra reflectors) they may not be so fitted to a GTI that doesn't have them. Personally, I would rather some one be able to see my car better at night from behind. Also, without the reflectors the cut outs where they used to sit look out of place.

[Getti]

Therefore, whilst the tinted R32 OEM taillights are acceptable on an R32 (due to extra reflectors) they may not be so fitted to a GTI that doesn't have them.

That would suggest that the Pirelli GTI is not acceptable. I understand that the Pirelli GTI has the same tinted lights as the R32, but obviously does not have the extra reflectors. Therefore, I assume it is ok with ADR's since there are 400 on Australian roads...

[NabzGTI]

I'm pretty sure the reflector on the bumper has nothing to do with the legality of tinted tail lights. Its the light being emitted from behind the tint that is the issue.

If your statement is true, I could potentially have BLACK tail lights, as long as I have a bicycle reflected taped to my bumper?

[geralis32]

and don't forget the 3rd brake light across the top.