Hey guys,

I'm sure theres been many of times posted about this but I can't be bothered looking through. I am planning to tint the tail lights of my Series 2 and perhaps the head lights as well and are looking for some advice.

I see VHT Niteshades is the most convenient method, however how do I go about to achieve a perfect result? By perfect I mean still clear visible but a noticeable tint (to avoid defect), like how many coatings and how thick the coating should be?

Is it possible to use Niteshades for headlights? Has anyone actually tried it before? I don't want to purchase VRX headlights from Mitsubishi as they cost around the $400 mark and could save myself a few bucks. If Niteshades aren't successful, then what is?

Second hand set of parabolic headlights should set you back 250ish on ebay or here. DO NOT TINT YOUR HEADLIGHTS.

As for tail lights, get them done by a pro... jesse_james does excellent work, flick him a PM.

nevermind, didn't read it was in the 380 section...

Tinting your headlights is a ****ing stupid thing to do. If you really want to do it, I'd coat a set of headlight protectors instead.

Not sure precisely what the difference is between the ES and the VR-X (barring a rudimentary Google Image Search), but can you take apart your headlights and paint the surrounds black?

Ok WTF are you trying to get him to get paras when he quite cleary has a series 2 380

ES has chrome surrounds VRX/GT has Charcoal surrounds

Haha did not read that! My bad... Damn you Whats New button.

Hey guys, thanks for quick reply.

Yeah I got confused about the para's =/ The headlights for the VR-X are factory tinted and I own a white series 2 so I need all the cosmetic work I need to make it look sexy. I read that it was difficult to remove the headlight cover, otherwise I would paint the surrounds black so any useful info would be appreciated!

I think I might get my friend to do the tail lights with a light coating only and see how that turns out.

I'll keep you guys posted!

Update: I've finally gotten stuck into tinting the tail lights after all these weeks. I have smoked the brake lights..well all the red parts of the tail light to a very dark color. I'm actually expecting to be defected, but some people seem to have gotten away with it for years so I'll try my luck. All I need to do is to sand the clear coat and buff to give it shine, will upload pics!

P.S Curious if any other 380 owner has smoked there tail lights on here?

I got the tupperware lights so nope

Dan did on his TMR prototype clone looked great

Sanded back one light after the clearcoating, gonna do the other now.

http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/physicx92/1b9a933d.jpg

mmmmmmm.......this might look good done on my GT tails.....

mmmmmmm.......this might look good done on my GT tails.....

You mean your Galant tails!

Holy hell... I thought you were only tinting them, no straight up painting them. lol

Sanded back one light after the clearcoating, gonna do the other now.

http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/physicx92/1b9a933d.jpg

Ummmmm...... Good luck for anyone driving behind you. You shall have NO insurance if someone rearends you....

How'd we finish up with this project?

End result is poor visibility! Haha, I tinted them too dark obviously, but I reckon it looks good with the white paint. The finish feels good because of the sanding job so I'm fairly happy with it. Great $50 alternative for everyone who has chrome housing and doesn't want to buy VR-X taillights!

I'm gonna be honest, i don't mind the look at all. I'd consider something similar, though obviously a few shades lighter lol
what product did you end up using? If you want the series 2 vrx tail lights and a boot lid spoiler, you'd be looking between $500-700, depending on which dealer you go to and if you can get a trade price. Really can't justify that price

I can do Brand new Tail Lights and secondhand wing for $470.00 plus shipping

Personally I would not tint headlights, I would rather see where I am going. I will soon be getting my lenses removed and some custom work done to the backings.

If you want the series 2 vrx tail lights and a boot lid spoiler, you'd be looking between $500-700, depending on which dealer you go to and if you can get a trade price. Really can't justify that price

And if you want the correct bootlid to mount the spoiler too instead of hacking up your own, it's another $499.

....OR you can simply leave the stop light in the current lid, use a hole saw to do the larger hole and then drill the others as I have done and once touched up to stop rust you will never know

The std bootlid also has the holes in the backing to allow access to the nuts which hold on the wing anyway

Yeah, i know but a lot of people don't want to or simply aren't capable of doing it.
Cutting your own bootlid does save you a LOT of money, no need for a new lid and no need to paint it...i know what i'd be doing :)

Personally I would not tint headlights, I would rather see where I am going. I will soon be getting my lenses removed and some custom work done to the backings.

No way would i want to tint the headlights. I can of course do them but its not something i would do to my own car

Ooh what sort of custom work? :)

Sanded back one light after the clearcoating, gonna do the other now.

http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb450/physicx92/1b9a933d.jpg
I swear I saw this car and tails around 4pm Sunnyholt rd blacktown, was that you?
P plates too I think

No way would i want to tint the headlights. I can of course do them but its not something i would do to my own car

Ooh what sort of custom work? :)

I will be getting several things done to the headlights, all I will hint on is that all work needs to have the lense removed, after that all will be reveales once they are in the car and I eventually do my rides thread.

As for tinting headlights, it is very illegal, is dangerous and lets face it, for the cost of a new set even it is simply not worth the risk. If you have an accident at night, you may be automatically at fault as the other driver may claim he did not see you due to your tinted headlights