Has anyone had any luck with the smoke paint (both from RC shop or from auto shop)? I'm thinking of smoking my TL tail light & the side markers . The only kit I saw is the tail light kit by roadblock. I have not seen any kit for the rest.

I saw these smoke paint for $20 on an auto shop with some japanese prints on it. I'm not sure how good it turns out (I'm used to using spray paints and painted my old car's center console by myself). Please comment.

 

to be honest, i'll look nice in the beginning. if you know what you are doing. painting a dash is a little bit different then a tail light. i've done both. you need to be careful to have a completely even surface that isn't too thick. you have to be careful so that the light shines through the same way all around.

the bad thing is that paint will dull. it's inevitable. there isn't anything you can do about it. after about a year or 2 max, it doesnt look good.

 

Word to the wise about the Pactra RC Smoke Tint Paint. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO USE AND GET GOOD RESULTS!!! I cannot emphasize this enough.... Even on a flat surface lying down, the final look is only OK, unless you absolutely know what you're doing. On a curved EXPENSIVE lens, no chance for a beginner to make it look good.

The Pactra RC tint paint is very runny and has to be applied super slow and very misted, although the can nozzle makes that hard. (Otherwise it runs immediately into corners and pools. Did I mention it melts all the other shades of Pactra paint when applied as well! You need many backing coats to protect your main finish.) I've used it many times on my RC cars, and have seen 100's of people that have used it on their RC cars at races and meets... If you're an airbrush God or can get one, go for it. Otherwise, film tint is removeable if you mess it up.

Sorry to ramble, but that RC tint stuff is TRICKY!!! If you google search and read some RC car forums, specifically HERE:

http://forums.radiocontrolzone.com/f...?=&forumid=114

You can read a TON about the tint paint (and know NOT TO USE IT on your $$$ car!)

Hope this helps.

 

isnt this illegal in the state of California?

 

Good luck! Please take pics when you are done!!!!

 

Yes, it is illegal to make any alterations to the tail lights that inhibits the light from coming through clearly. That being said, I don't think that a mild application of tint would get you much attention, but you never know.

I also sent you a PM with details about a place that a bunch of us on the forum have used to get our headlights cleared/tinted/etc...they may be able to work on the taillights for you if you want....

 

Forgot to tell you to check out Lokius' post on the same topic

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/what-factory-speaker-sizes-107066/

 

Hope this helps. www.tintedtails.com
This guys hangs out on the Passat forums (wife has one) and he does them. From what I hear from people I talk to he does one heck of a job. Looks pretty thorough. Stand up guy on the forum. Good luck.

Will

 

i was thinking about doing the same thing but if you dont like it there is no way to remove the tint. so instead i am going to use window tint on the taillights. at least it will be smooth and the same amount in every spot and is removable.

 

I suggest you guys use the film that Rockblocker is selling, it works great, it is easily removable if a cop gives you some trouble, and it looks great.. check out this thread, its alot cheaper than paying someone to spray your tail lights, because they have to take them apart and spray the inside...

Rockblocker is currently running a sale on the light kits, check out this thread for details, and PM him for the exact price of the smoked tail lights..

https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/back-popular-demand-light-kits-272506/

 

Thank you guys for the input. I saw Lokius Pics and I was like "sahhhh---weet"... From what I see that people post, I'd refrain from painting it myself... And regarding the CA law, does it matter if you only put a tint partially (put one line that's not tinted)?

I'm thinking more of extending the line on the side door all the way to the tail light and that section will not be tinted.

 

Alrighty, you could leave a portion untinted, but personally it wouldnt look to great. The tint that rockblocker sells isnt that dark, and honestly the 20% stuff looks ruby red in the sunlight and you shouldnt have any problem in CA with it, if you drive smartly and dont get too intense..

That being said, if you are looking to partially tint one part, and leave another part untint, you should go here http://www.smokinlights.net/ These guys make signature series smoked lights on pontiacs, and until I saw the price, something like $300 not including installation I was going to do this.. Very unique, but you'd have to design the tint pattern for them ahead of time.. Best of luck, heres a shot of the pontiac tint/no tint combination...

 

Thank Lokius for the info. I appreciate it. You rock!

 

I 2nd that Lokius!!! He da man. Let me know when you get some clean pics when the car is clean. We will use them for the site.


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