Tinting bumper reflectors & side markers: spray or film?

[minameismud]

I've already got some film (can't remember the %, but it's dark), but the last time I tried to work with it, it wouldn't stick, and it looked like the orange of the bumper reflector would totally show around the edges. So, try again with the film or just go and pick up some spray tint?

[Mikey @ DTM]

i know people that use the spray, they get an uneven coat. so when they turn their lights on, one side is darker/lighter than the other. better to use the film. what kind of film are you using?

[minameismud]

i've got Gila 20%. i picked it up from Autozone or Advance Auto Parts (can't remember which). the box says it's got some sort of adhesive on it.

[whitevdub]

your better off using the film. i used the film for a while and it holds up amazing in all the different types of weather. and when you want to take it off, you just peel it right off. currently, i took mine off so i can color match my bumper lenses to my car to give it a cleaner look. the lenses are in the shop right now getting done

[cjonesgo]

i jut did film on my car (b6 avant) last weekend. it looks great from about 2 feet away, but up really close you can see a lot of tiny imperfections. if i were to do it again i would do spray, but i have experience painting and not worried about uneven spray etc. the only reason i went with film in the first place is that i cannot have any downtime with my car right now.



the b7 lights are smaller and less curvy so i imagine that it would be considerably easier.

i finished in an hour of so, and it looks pretty good. good enough to tide me over until my schedule eases up and i can do a proper spray.

[kevin2.0]

if you're concerned about the film not covering everything, you can take the reflectors out and wrap them with the film and use a heat gun to make sure it melts to the correct form.

[darin1274]

neither...!!!

pop them off and just get some color matched paint and paint them! it would look 10x's better than those clear/smoke reflectors. Plus, it will cost u about the same for the materials.

my $.02

[EuroA4]

I used Lamin-X smoked film. Although its a bit thicker than tint film it works great if cut neatly and applied straight.

[tarunpatel]

Can I see some pics of it on your guys car i'm tinting all my lights on Sat which include headlights,fog lights, tailights and rear bumper reflectors i'm prolly gunna do a light tint like 35%!~

[whitevdub]

old pic of the car but here you go


currently getting them color matched

[Phrost]

I bought smoked front reflectors, but sprayed my rear ones. Came out perfectly, want pics?

[minameismud]

I bought smoked front reflectors, but sprayed my rear ones. Came out perfectly, want pics?

yes please!

[Phrost]

Alright, bare with be as I'm using random old pictures.

Here is a night shot of my rear reflector, oem and not painted. My taillights are gunsmoke Laminx.


Here is the same shot, but with sprayed reflectors.


Here is a day shot. Paint is translucent, and makes them about the same shade as my "gunsmoke" taillights. They still reflect and everything. Sorry it's blurry


You can go as "dark" as you want with spray, that's why I used it. I tried to match my taillights, if I wanted them black I would have just used brilliant black paint and cleared it

[Spiff69]

I know this is old, but what spray is used to do this? Does anyone have any other pics?

I don't like the look of color matched sidemarkers as it looks like a hole in the body with no purpose. There's still nobody out there that offers pre-made smoked rear reflectors, is there?

[Phrost]

I haven't found any smoked rear reflectors yet.

The spray I (and most people) used it called VHT NiteShades. The can looks like this:


I've never found any store that carries it anymore, and it's getting hard to find. I bought my can from www.summitracing.com and it was about $15 or so after shipping

Here is how to remove the rear reflectors:

All one has to do is remove the 7 T25 torx screws from each fender liner, pull out the snaps, then easily snap out the reflector. I'm not even pulling the bumper out all the way in this picture

[Spiff69]

Wow, I ask for help and I get the whole kitchen sink, thanks! You still get reflection after you spray it, right?

One more question for anyone who knows - Where can I get the stock rear reflectors other than the dealer? One of mine is cracked.

[Phrost]

Wow, I ask for help and I get the whole kitchen sink, thanks!

That's what we're here for

With something as small as the reflector, you can just spray tint then clear coat it and it looks perfect. On larger parts like a taillight, you would need to wet sand to get it really glossy. Mine I picture above were never sanded, and look perfect in person.

Aside from the dealer, the only place I would think you could buy them from would be a parts dealer like www.genuineaudiparts.com I just looked and couldn't find the reflectors, but I bet if you e-mailed them they'd have them.