vertmustang98gt Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Just got my stock 17's powder coated today, gloss black. Car looks great, as the title eludes too, what should I do? Plus does anyone know where I can find a film to cover the lights that isn't completely blacking them out. I'd say I just need to make them a little less red. Right now they are bursting red while the rest of the car is dark lol. Thanks for the help (I attached the picture I took today so you guys could give some advice, sorry for the semi-crappy resolution). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunareclipse02 Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I personally like the factory look the best!! I never cared for they headlight covers or the tailight covers, it always looked tacky! But everyone has their own opinion!! I personally think you car looks great now!! Love the color choice!!! Thats my favorite color on cars!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vertmustang98gt Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 Thanks for the reply, I really like the color a lot. Anyone else have any thoughts? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Thanks for the reply, I really like the color a lot. Anyone else have any thoughts? Since you asked - yes. Tinting tail lights is a terrible idea in addition to being illegal in most states. It's never a good idea to reduce visibility (even if only slightly). It could be the difference between getting hit from behind and not - especially in daylight. Also - if you do get hit from behind you could be found at least partially at fault in the accident. Don't sacrifice safety for looks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vertmustang98gt Posted February 24, 2012 Author Share Posted February 24, 2012 So you're saying you like tinted lights? I'd compensate for tinted tail lights with LED bulbs. I completely understand sacrificing safety for looks, but from the sounds of it. You seem like you think they'd look good tinted? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabige Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) Since you asked - yes. Tinting tail lights is a terrible idea in addition to being illegal in most states. It's never a good idea to reduce visibility (even if only slightly). It could be the difference between getting hit from behind and not - especially in daylight. Also - if you do get hit from behind you could be found at least partially at fault in the accident. Don't sacrifice safety for looks. Ditto. Even where it is legal, proving that it's tinted within legal limits can be a PITA. Edited February 25, 2012 by dabige 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billm0066 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 I just dont understand darkening something that people use to determine if your car is braking. I also think it looks tacky. They were cool back when the fox body mustangs were new, but I think it's played out now. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick 2010 Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 VHT, professional painter, or over lays (nice pre cut film) I've seen a few cars that look sick. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vertmustang98gt Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 VHT, professional painter, or over lays (nice pre cut film) I've seen a few cars that look sick. Do you know where I can find these overlays? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick 2010 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Do you know where I can find these overlays? Ill try to dig up the site soon. I VHT'd my 98 GT, buddies 04 Ram, and his Malibu tails and they looked good. He also gave me the idea for the over lays. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick 2010 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 http://www.lamin-x.com/Ford-Fusion-10-Tail-Light-Covers-p/f229.htm 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vertmustang98gt Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Can't decide between Gun Smoke or Smoke. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboothsociety Posted July 15, 2012 Share Posted July 15, 2012 did you end up going with the tint? any pics? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFSoccer2k6 Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) I saw a fusion at our local zoo with a very poorly done overlay, but it was like a very very light smoke and looked really really good and has had me thinking about that. It was dark enough to make it flow better but light enough light output wasn't messed with Edited July 19, 2012 by LFSoccer2k6 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nswjanik Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) This is Lamin-X Charcoal on the Taillights and 3rd Brake Edited July 20, 2012 by nswjanik 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFSoccer2k6 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 man that is WAY to dark for me. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nswjanik Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 This is the same tint, direct sunlight. I can do night pics if you want -- used to use VHT but definitely prefer these. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 That is way too dark for anybody in their right mind. I know you think that people can still see the lights but people have a hard enough time seeing you without the tint. Why make it harder just to look cool? If you get rearended don't be surprised if you're found partially at fault. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 That is way too dark for anybody in their right mind. I know you think that people can still see the lights but people have a hard enough time seeing you without the tint. Why make it harder just to look cool? If you get rearended don't be surprised if you're found partially at fault. As Billy Crystal said, "Remember, my friends, it's better to look good than to feel good." Looking "cool" trumps safety for some. There's no vehicle safety inspection in SC. It would never pass where in any state that has one, aside from violating federal standards. SC vehicle lighting law: It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale or use any device or equipment which tends to change the original design or performance of any head lamps or any other lamps or reflectors required by law to be attached to motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers unless the equipment or device has been approved by the director of the department. At the very least, this is risking a ticket for equipment violation. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nswjanik Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 Safety as in how? Not being able to see the brake lights? You can see them as if there was nothing covering them, one of the reasons I picked the vinyl over the sprays. In SC they only care about brake lights during the day -- even the stock '13 mustangs have their lights tinted darker than mine but as long as you can see reflectors under direct light and running lights are visible at night you're fine. I'll agree that having it sprayed so that reflectors are no longer visible, brakes are dim, and running lights are barely visible is silly but this simply doesn't do that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 So you're saying the brightness of the brake and tail lamps isn't reduced at all and they are exactly as bright as stock? No way. And any reduction in visibility is bad - they don't have to be "barely visible" - just less bright than others. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nswjanik Posted July 21, 2012 Share Posted July 21, 2012 I'm saying I'll gladly put it next to another Fusion at night and blur everything but lamps and brakes and you tell me the difference. Anything you add on top of the lens will of course reduce visibility, no disputing that. Only saying it's negligible at worst and legal in SC. The reflectors shine through as if nothing is blocking it, hell even the vinyl shines when light is applied. I'm not an employee of Lamin-X so I won't go to bat any more than I have for their product. As far as legality is concerned, it is and has been confirmed by local PD before and after I bought the vinyl (roommate is law enforcement). Visibility is of course reduced but I have yet to have any issues in normal conditions. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orezona Posted January 7, 2013 Share Posted January 7, 2013 I'm going to play thread necromancer and bring this sucker back from the dead. I live in Arizona, specifically the Phoenix valley area. In the Summer months the temps get upwards of 115˚...I've been thinking about applying some sort of overlay onto my tail lights (hate the '06-'09 look) but keep holding off because I just have doubts about a thin plastic film surviving outside in the conditions we have out here in the desert. Tons of people around here have tinted tail and headlights but I couldn't say if they are DIY or done at a tinting shop. Anyone else live somewhere with extreme heat/cold that has experience with films from places like lamin-x...? /enquiring customizers want to know 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewdingemans Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I have a buddy with an impala here in toronto (a cop) and he has the gun smoke lamin-x on the tails and some kind of clear on the headlights (to prevent fading and stone chips) and there has been no problems at either extremes of temperature -40C all the way up to 35C 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 point 5 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Tinting tail lights in no way is a bad thing. Even if you tint them so dark with VHT you cant even see the red you will still be able to them very clearly when they are on at night. I am a professional painter and I did mine. They look great and you can not tell what so ever that they are tinted at night. Akirby all you do on this forum is act like you know it all. Keep your mouth shut for once. From your attitude on other subjects you seem to not like any modification to vehicles. You think they are "unsafe"... People are going to do this weather you like it or not so get over it... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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