Tinting rear brake lights?

Vision Zetec · 09-07-2005, 04:16 PM

hey guys,

just wondering is tinting your brake lights black illegal?

if it isnt illegal how do you go about doing it?

cheers

Daniel

09-07-2005, 04:21 PM

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...t+brake+lights

merlin · 09-07-2005, 04:27 PM

Yes it's illegal.

DOC · 09-07-2005, 04:41 PM

Tinted my AU with the tint paint from new and never had a problem in 3 years, the first day i drove it had the boys follow me for some time, call it luck ? i think if your car is well maintained and clean, you drive properly there should be no probs

**Polyal** · 09-07-2005, 04:47 PM

thats looks hot!!!

im doing it now to my car as I got a high series rear garnish to match my tail lights and the amber parts were slightly different shades. Ill give it a couple of coats and you shouldn't even notice.

Although I am worried if someone runs up my bum and then the insurance company has a teary that there sight was obstructed are some poo like that.

DOC · 09-07-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

thats looks hot!!!

im doing it now to my car as I got a high series rear garnish to match my tail lights and the amber parts were slightly different shades. Ill give it a couple of coats and you shouldn't even notice.

Although I am worried if someone runs up my bum and then the insurance company has a teary that there sight was obstructed are some poo like that.

I just read the other thread on this and not wanting to get into a full on barney ( as i have sold the car and moved on ) but even with this dark tint i defy anyone to tell me it was not effective, in 99% of cases it was a lot clearer to see when the brakes were applied as the red light stood out a mile , same with indicators so IMO only on the saftey issues are unfounded and i believe if anything enhanced

Bash into me if you want but been there and done it, legal another matter

Quote:

im doing it now to my car as I got a high series rear garnish

what ride have u got at the moment ? AU ?

**Polyal** · 09-07-2005, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOC

I just read the other thread on this and not wanting to get into a full on barney ( as i have sold the car and moved on ) but even with this dark tint i defy anyone to tell me it was not effective, in 99% of cases it was a lot clearer to see when the brakes were applied as the red light stood out a mile , same with indicators so IMO only on the saftey issues are unfounded and i believe if anything enhanced

Bash into me if you want but been there and done it, legal another matter

what ride have u got at the moment ? AU ?

I wish I had an AU. Ive got the car in my sig/avatar. Its a bits 'n' pieces. I had a povo gli garnish inbetween the lights, now I have a fairmont one that matches the reflective stuff in the tail lights.

Ive seen those old looking Toyota Landcruisers that have tinted rear lights from factory; so I dont know whats going on there.

There are sooo many cars going around with tinted lights; even repeaters and front indicators so no one seems to be cracking down on it.

**DJM83** · 10-07-2005, 02:33 PM

each to their own but i think it looks cheap and nasty dont like the look at all

Keepleft · 10-07-2005, 03:16 PM

Hey, I want to mask my taillight-brightness too.

I never drive in the rain.

MITCHAY · 10-07-2005, 03:25 PM

My mate did it to his pulsar. Couldnt see barely anythn in fine conditions at night so could only imagine what it would be like in bad weather. I reckon it looks good but its difficult to see the lights.

LUXO_8 · 10-07-2005, 03:27 PM

i went through the tinted stage on my NC
now i think it looks pretty average to have them so dark ( the lights on the AU in this thread look way too dark IMO), though i will be tinting the indicator area on some headlight covers to match with my headlights black inserts.
they definatley need "something"
you can see what i mean by this pic
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...Wlights007.jpg

i'd ultimatley like to be able to get some indicators apart and paint some of the insert like in the headlights....

EDIT
an old shot with the old BMW headlights and tinted indicators
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...8/sinister.jpg

**Mechan1k** · 10-07-2005, 08:31 PM

This is what my Proton looked like with the tinted taillights.
Yes I was defected for them as well

10-07-2005, 08:35 PM

I've had the rear lights tinted on most my cars.. usually I carefully mask up the reverse-lights-section so my rear lights are tinted but with a clear section for reverse (just looks better than all-tinted in my opinion).. i've never had a problem with the boys in blue, and mine were as dark as the proton above.

On my laser I had a layer of clear-coat over the tint to make it look shinier and match the paint, as it makes it look a lot nicer.

LUXO_8 · 10-07-2005, 08:40 PM

i saw on the rear garnish of a VT once, the whole garnish except for the reverse light was body coloured. looked pretty cool

Bossxr8 · 10-07-2005, 09:07 PM

With an ED you can get away with a few light coats of spray tint without making it look like they have been tinted as they are already a bit darker than most cars to start with so it doesn't look to different. My EB Fairmont had a few coats and unless you parked it next to a stock one you wouldn't pick it as tinted.

Funny story. A guy I used to work with had an 81 LTD, the ones that came out with the factory tinted taillights, and he actually got fined by a copper for it. He was trying to explain to him it came like that from the factory but he didn't want a bar of it.

Feathers · 10-07-2005, 09:52 PM

I don't like the look at all. Maybe on a black car, but still I don't think it's a good look.
Plus if you're behind a car with tinted lights and the sun is shining from behind you, then you can't see if they brake. We almost ran up the back of someone in that situation.

10-07-2005, 11:30 PM

Don't think it neither looks good or is safe...jmo.

InitialD · 11-07-2005, 02:35 AM

Daniel, dont do it! looks meh IMO ;) and I know of people around my area being hassled for it.

better idea :P Clear EB tailights like mine ;) lol not that im biased

Vision Zetec · 11-07-2005, 04:03 PM

yer thanks guys, i wont get it done.

lol your never biased mick!............. NOT!!!

GlennBA · 11-07-2005, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00VenomXR

each to their own but i think it looks cheap and nasty dont like the look at all

werd...
depends on the car, though very few look ok.

PULLY6 · 11-07-2005, 04:15 PM

They look shocking IMO. Not a fan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Hey, I want to mask my taillight-brightness too.

I never drive in the rain.
__________________
Buy a hazard warning triangle for your vehicle for use at crash scenes (to prevent secondary) and breakdowns, store it in the boot. I suggest Hella
Part Number 2901, or BMW Spare Part Number 7160 1095 457. Each is superior to Australian Standard 3790 and 3790B type.

WHAT THE?!?!?!

Shonky · 11-07-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Ive seen those old looking Toyota Landcruisers that have tinted rear lights from factory; so I dont know whats going on there.

Some Landcruiser troop carriers come from the factory with lights recessed into the rear bumper (due to the fact that in the standard position they are obstructed by the spare wheel on the back) Due to this, there is no point in having the standard rear lights, so they just put a black plastic panel in their place.

The new Nissan Patrol has a similar thing, except that instead of a black plastic panel, they have 'fake lights'... the lens of the rear lamps, but no actual lights.

mcflux · 11-07-2005, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBII Falcon

hey guys,

just wondering is tinting your brake lights black illegal?

if it isnt illegal how do you go about doing it?

cheers

Daniel

Just as long as you tint your front brake lights to match ;)

Keepleft · 12-07-2005, 12:42 AM

Young 'un wrote: "The new Nissan Patrol has a similar thing, except that instead of a black plastic panel, they have 'fake lights'... the lens of the rear lamps, but no actual lights".

Yep, the current Patrol's lower red dummy lamps are coded "f00", which is codespeak for rear fog light, fitted standard on EU market vehicles. Our type contain no bulb holder nor 'hole' for them. Just cost cutting stuff.

geckoGT · 12-07-2005, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Young 'un wrote: "The new Nissan Patrol has a similar thing, except that instead of a black plastic panel, they have 'fake lights'... the lens of the rear lamps, but no actual lights".

Yep, the current Patrol's lower red dummy lamps are coded "f00", which is codespeak for rear fog light, fitted standard on EU market vehicles. Our type contain no bulb holder nor 'hole' for them. Just cost cutting stuff.

Why don't they make them functional? People see the lens and think they work only to discover that the piddly little ones in the bumper are the brake lights. Personally I think they should be swapped so the fog lights are in the bumper. Personally I think the whole setup is pathetic, if it has a lens it should work in my opinion

The MaDDeSTMaN · 12-07-2005, 01:07 AM

I personally like them tinted slightly darker, although not as dark as some of the pictures in this thread. I'd like to do it to the lights at the rear of the XF, but only really slightly, I think that would look sweet. I'm talking only as dark as stock ED tail-lights, not any darker. Personally, I'm not a fan of the clear tail lights, but as long as your happy with it and it doesn't reduce the visability of the lights by much, that is all that matters, I think anyway.

In fact, I think I might go and try photochopping a pic of my XF tail-lights to see how it would look...

**Polyal** · 12-07-2005, 08:18 PM

Just ive done my entire garnish and lights and it looks awesome..ill get a pic tomorrow.

KELDO_XR8 · 15-07-2005, 12:24 PM

It might depend on the product you use but sometimes i see cars with the tinted taillights and their indicators flash red. also it makes your lights dimmer. i dont care how cool it looks, visibility is one of the most important things on the road.
keldo

**Polyal** · 15-07-2005, 12:27 PM

I tell you what if you cant see my lights when they are on then you shouldn't be on the road...I plan to get some LEDs asap which will make it even easier to see aswell.

I did two very light coats, subtle but effective. Pic is coming ive been a bit busy and get gets to dark by the time I get home; wish daylight savings would hurry up.

KELDO_XR8 · 15-07-2005, 12:35 PM

Im not pointing the finger at anyone in particular, im simply rasing the fact that people are comprimising the visibility of their car simply to make it look cool. personally i think its a waste of time and money, but thats just me. I'l probably see it fine, but not as well as i would if it wasnt tinted. There's people out there who dont pay attention and may not notice a dimmer light. LED's are a good idea, that way u can have the look you want and keep it bright. Hey there's heaps of oldies out there who drive on overcast days....

Just my thoughts anyway.
keldo