So I want to tint my tail lights and it seems the recommended method is using Lamin-X.

I'm leaning towards the gunsmoke (light) tint but I'm debating the Smoke as well.

If anyone has any pics of either that they can throw up, that would be appreciated.

Here's a link to the product w/ a flash file (attempting to) show the differences.

http://www.lamin-x.com/Mini-Cooper-0...rs-p/mn207.htm

Which do you think? Here's a pic of the boot right now:

 

I had the gunsmoke, it was actually darker than their smoke IMO.

 

Why do you want to make your tail/brake lights harder to see?

 

I used VHT Night Shades spray tint. It was about $13 at AutoZone. Worked great, looks even better. You can spray as little or as much as you want to keep it light or go really dark. According to some online forums it's pretty easy to get off if you need to. I have to admit my tail lights are a bit harder to see during the day but at night I can't even tell they're tinted at all.

Let me know if these 2 pictures don't show up:

 

If you've ever followed another R56 you'd know our tail light bulbs are bright as hell.....especially when applying the brake....in fact my friend following me didn't realize my amber blinker was on last weekend because he said the bright brake lights made the blinker "disappear".

Those pics are hard to see and I actually have VHT already...I used it to tint my wheel arches 2 years ago but since it is liquid, the stuff runs constantly so I'd prefer not to use it.....I do agree that it comes off with rubbing alcohol / nail polish remover / paint thinner.

I appreciate the replies, but I'm still on the fence!

 

Neither, unless your car is a trailer queen and is pulled to shows and never driven on the street. Darkening your taillights is illegal, and if I need to explain why, then you probably shouldn't have a driver's license.

 

I say let the owner of the car do what he wants. He doesn't wanna argue why he wants to make it darker or about if
it's legal and why it isn't legal. Back to the topic, go with the Lamin-x instead of a spray.

 

It depends what state you are in. Some states, like California, its illegal to tint your tail lights at all. But in other states, as long as your car can be seen from xxx amount of feet than it's legal.

 

+1

I've been hit in the rear a few times in my life. If anything I would like more and brighter lights.

 

Thank you. I know blacked out lights look nice, but the fact of the matter is applying anything to the lights will lessen their brightness. And that is silly and illegal, and who wants higher their changes of getting rear ended?!

 

What he said. Its your decision. I havent done my Mini yet, but I had my Denali done by a painter who did a very transparent black and cleared ontop. Never got rear ended and I had it for years and live in Houston. We have some of the worst traffic in the country. Ive read good things of Lamin-x and plan on going that route for my Mini.

Also, here in Texas its not illegal to tint / smoke tails. Just because its illegal where you are doesnt mean it is where this guy is. Im sure youve done things to your car that he would oppose as well. Be supportive.

 

ok let's get back on topic and pretend your car was never going to be driven on any road.....

which color would you choose?

 

I think Smoke on yours. It may look better with the black wheels and black trim around the lights.

 

I'd say smoke. I wasn't expecting mine to be so dark but they're still mostly transparent. It's definitely illegal in NY, but so is having your windows tinted as dark as mine, and I haven't been pulled over for either yet.

I only used VHT because I had the lamin-x tints and I couldn't get the film to look good around the sharp curve on the edge of the lenses. Could have just been me but the VHT was a lot easier and I think it looks great.

No matter how dark you go or what you use it'll look sweet.

 

And what will you say to someone who is injured running into him because he couldn't see his brake lights? C'mon, kids, grow up.

 

I think I'm going to try gunsmoke first and see what the actual color is. If I don't like it, I'll order the smoke....it's only $40 either way.

For NY:

Stop Lamps 40. Stop lamps. (a) Every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, operated or driven upon the public highways of the state, if manufactured prior to January first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp which shall display a red to amber light visible at least five hundred feet from the rear of the vehicle when the brake of such vehicle is applied.
(b) Every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, operated or driven upon the public highways of the state, if manufactured on or after January first, nineteen hundred fifty-two, shall be equipped with at least two stop lamps, one on each side, each of which shall display a red to amber light visible at least five hundred feet from the rear of the vehicle when the brake of such vehicle is applied.

 

Here is Gunsmoke on front and back i hope the pics help

 

thanks for the pics. maybe i'll see you on the road....

 

Jcarlos914,

is that a joey mod under your smoked lenses? ...or does the smoked lense just give that effect?

 

It's not the Joey mod. As bad as I wanted to do the Joey mod I thought I would try the easier way with the lamin-x and I actually like it a lot without having to open the housing. I do still think about doing the Joey mod but I haven't built up enough courage

 

I tint tail lights on the side with VHT nightshades...works great but i do a light smoke followed by a 1200 grit wetsand and 2 coats of clear which is compounded to a shine...looks like it came like that. If you would like it done professionally I'm right on Long Island and theres a 50% discount for MINI's

 

Hey thanks for the offer - it is appreciated. I think for now I'm going to leave it as it even though it's a little too dark for my liking. You can see my car fine at night when it's dark - the only thing I don't like so much is when it's twilight b/c the lights don't show up as much as I'd prefer....the brake lights are bright as hell any time, but the tail lights are a little dull in the early evenings....






and this is gunsmoke...their lightest color.