Im looking into getting my windows tinted professionally and I was also looking into tinting the taillights. Any suggestions regarding the taillights? I have seen several smoke film kits online for the lights but I was not sure if this is the best method for tinting the taillights. I also want to have the door handles and the gas cap painted black. Any suggestions?

 

Your best bet for the door handles and the gas cap is probably to take them somewhere and have them powder coated, it is usually pretty enexpensive adn will have an OEM look if done proper (you will be with out door handles during that time period though). You could also rattle can them, but the handles take some time to disassemble/assemble. depends on where you like your trade off....

good luck though

 

I agree with the powder coating idea. Maybe even get factory replacements and get those done. Spray paint's gonna look like $#!+ Maybe not today, but soon, and for the rest of the car's life. The powder coating folks will be able to prep the metal so that the coating won't flake off.

As for the taillights -- tint shops might have some advice there, but I'm under the impression that it's generally illegal in most places, and what people do is put film on the inside of the taillamp assembly, or use shields that can be removed. That's not advice, that's just what I've read.

 

The tailights can be sprayed with Night Shade, its a spray tint. To make it look real good I'd have a bodyshop spray them with Night Shade and then have them add some clear to the mix to make them look good.


As far as painting the fuel door and handles, I'd stay away from that as the pieces are already plated and no matter how much sanding you do its going to peel off and look like garbage, something I'm sure you don't want your Mini to look like. I used to have a 2000 Contour SVT and we had a guy who treated the chrome grill rings in muratic acid and it took about 2 days and the only thing you were left with was a light grey oval and then we were able to have them painted properly w/o any chips. I've seen others try and skip this step and after awhile all you'd see is chrome and painted areas throught.


Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do

 

what ever you do be sure to post pics .... its sounds like a great idea

 

haha yeah i want to see how they turn out :D haha goodluck!