jspagna1

Do you guys notice how the rear reflectors on the TL appear to be a brighter red than the actual tail lights? The tail lights have a darker tint to them.
I have been playing with the idea of getting the Lamin-x universal film covers and cut it myself to cover those reflectors with the lightest tint in order to match the tail lights and mellow them out a bit. What do you guys think?
Sorry for the BIG picture!

kingofire

It would look sharp especially on WDP

prepreludesh

You know what I'd like to see done? Filling in the area where the reflectors are and then making it flush with the bumper and then painting the whole thing over so there are no more reflectors anymore. Just my

CleanCL

iTrader: (4)

I was going to do this, but my body shop guy said if anyone were to just ding the bumper anywhere, it's going to flex and crack where it got filled. Not worth it.

Instead 2 options, do a light tint on the reflector, or paint the reflector the body color.

George Knighton

I don't think you're going to like the visuals if you remove the 'flectors.

You're going to have a huge visually unbroken mass at the rear.

4G Express

That 4G TL from Japan with the flectors that light up was the best move ive seen

mugen_kid

Here are some PS versions for you

Tinted overlay:


Color overlay:


Filled in:

Pete2010

Naw they didn't light up, just the reflection from the flash. I think someone else took some photos of rear reflectors on cars and showed how they lit up. We all had thought that guy lit them, but it's just a trick of the camera.

jspagna1

I think a light tint overlay is the way to go. It does look good filled in too, but man that's a lot of body surface and one tap would be an expensive fix.
I'll bet you that the Automotive aftermarket will come out with clear/smoked reflectors for the car just like they have for a lot of other cars.
I would assume that the reflectors should just pop out?

4G Express

Damn it!

FAST4DR

I'm going to tint mine with a light window tint. I think they are too bright also. You could use nightshades tinting in the spraycan, but it's tough to get it perfect.

Covering them of course would block the reflector. Do the factory tailights have any reflectors in them?

jspagna1

I think tinting them is the way to go. Spraying them would be a pain and I want to be able to take off & replace in future if necessary.
Still not sure if they pop off? Got under the car last night and saw a couple of screws? Man they don't make working on these cars easy at all!

Yes the tail lights have reflectors but they are on the side not in the back.

CJITTY

thats some damn good photochoppin...

jspagna1

I just ordered some Protective Film from Lamin-X for the car. I will probably wait for the weather to get better and we'll see how this stuff is to work with.

George Knighton

Q.E.D., if you ask me. But what do I know.

jspagna1

I ordered the light tint material for the rear reflectors. I also think doing away with them completely is way too much bumper surface...

NOX 3.2

bumper looks too cheap with no reflectors, way too much surface looking the same. like a Nissan Altima

I would like to have a two tone reflector (maybe orange/red or white/red ) similar to the previous 3 series.
I think I saw somebody here posting some pictures like that.

jspagna1

Clear reflectors would look cool with red LED lights! Maybe someday?

Kingmeow

+1. Reminds me of the older Mitsu Eclipse with the bubble rear ass.

jspagna1

Ok I got the Lamin-X material this week and the weather was 50+ outside so I cut the material and fitted it to the reflectors. It's not bad to work with and cuts pretty easy. It would have been easier to take them off if possible. Here are a couple of pictures.
The first picture shows just the drivers side done. The second picture shows them both done. Now they appear to match the taillights much better and are still reflective when headlights shine on them.
I think they came out pretty nice.
Acura .


059Edit Picture
Add to Group
Report Picture




Picture Added Today 6:04 PM

Pete2010

Wow, that looks great, I should try that on my CBP.

jspagna1

Ya I bet it would look even better on your car. I ordered the 8" x 16" Universal sheet because I wanted the lightest tint they had which seems to match the talilights exactly, only $19.95.

http://www.lamin-x.com/One-Universal...er-p/1-816.htm

You could choose the whole kit, but I didn't want to do my taillights. And the lightest tint the kit comes is "Gunsmoke" which is darker.
The kit is probably an easier install because it comes pre-cut.

http://www.lamin-x.com/Acura-TL-09-T...rs-p/ac214.htm

I also ordered the "Clear" headlight kit from these guys and might install those today since it's going to be another nice day.

scv76_

Looks nice; that matches more the color of the tails, and is what Acura should have done in the first place.
Get a picture with the sun on the rear so we can get a better idea of the color match

SmokeTL

Is there a way to remove the reflectors and place the film behind it? That way its not subjected to the elements.

scv76_

Ahh, this is why Acura added those reflectors in the back...no rear facing reflectors in the tail lights.
Be careful what you do to those existing reflectors so you don't violate your states(governments) laws, you could get a ticket.
Here is part of the criteria for rear reflectors in California:

Reflectors on Rear

24607. Every vehicle subject to registration under this code shall at all times be equipped with red reflectors mounted on the rear as follows:

(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with at least one reflector so maintained as to be plainly visible at night from all distances within 350 to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of the lawful upper headlamp beams.
from the vehicle when directly in front of the lawful upper headlamp beams.
(b) Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle or a low-speed vehicle , manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1965, shall be equipped with at least two reflectors meeting the visibility requirements of subdivision
(d) When more than one reflector is required, at least one shall be mounted at the left side and one at the right side, respectively, at the same level. Required reflectors shall be mounted not lower than 15 inches nor higher than 60 inches. Additional reflectors of a type meeting requirements established by the department may be mounted at any height.

Doesn't seem like a light tint like the one you are using would keep anyone from seeing the reflector at 350 feet, but you might want to check it just in case

PhoenixUnit

Do they have these tint's for the lights right above the fog lights that strech all the way to the center on the FWD?

I looked around but i couldn't seem to find it.

buckvegas

Bluebatmobile.net sells the precut overlays for tails, rear reflectors, side mirrors, fogs, and the fwd front turn signal piece. He is also a site vendor.

PhoenixUnit

Thanks for the help

jspagna1

I was hopeing they would pop out, but no luck. Then I got underneath the car and I felt a couple of scews but hell if I could get to them. They make it very hard to do the simplest things to these cars.

BigBunks

i definitly want to darken the reflectors. would it be possible for the guys at tint king in boston to use window tint on these? or should i just go with the ones from bluebatmobile?

jspagna1

I had that in mind as well, that is why I purposely ordered the Universal kit instead of the kit because the lightest tint the kit came with was Gun Metal which is a darker tint and was worried that it would be darker than the taillights.
The lightest tint is right on and at night when shineing the headlights from my other vehicle the reflectors look normal.
They only appear tinted during the day, so I think I'll be ok.

jspagna1

This is what I ordered and applied it myself. Was'nt bad at all. They supplied me with a squeegee and cutting tool. You could also use an exacto knife as well. I got the tint which is the lightest.

http://www.lamin-x.com/One-Universal...er-p/1-816.htm

jspagna1

I also did the front fog lights and turn signals above the fogs. I ordered the clear because I didn't want to tint my fronts, but you can choose whatever you want. All you have to do is take the measurements and order what you need.

http://www.lamin-x.com/Universal-Covers-s/289.htm

blkaspec

you probably have to take off the bumper in order to easily remove the reflectors

jspagna1

That's all I've been hearing about these cars is that you have to take of the bumpers in order to get to anything.
No wonder they kill you on Labor costs when these cars need service!

blkaspec

there are often ways around it, but not always. never done it myself, but from what i have read it is much easier with a buddy. good luck!

Pete2010

Yea, taking the bumper off you could do yourself, it's not too bad, if you know what you're doing (and have done it before) you could do it in 20 min or so. Putting it back on, and extra set of hands help.