Tint tails on my Avant

[thebikedoctor33]

So, being that I'm pretty poor at the moment and have no money for legit mods, I figured I'd hit up some cheap DIYs. And to start it off, tinted tails. Used VHT Nightshades, some adhesion promoter, and clear coat. I need to get some good finishing compound to bring out the shine, all I had was crappy turtle wax polishing compound and it didnt work for shit. But over all they came out nice.

I wanted them to be just a bit darker than OEM, i'm going to be going for the OEM+ look, so nothing ridiculously not stock in appearance. I did one decent coat of tint over the entire lens, then taped off the clear reverse section and did another coat. Came out just how I wanted. The clear I used was absolute shit and came out with all different sized droplets even after warming the can in hot water and shaking for 5 minutes. So I ended up having to wet sand with 2000 to clean the clear coat up. I will eventually go back and really get them to shine, but the almost satin finish actually is growing on me. Idk.

Anyway, some before and after shots:

Before:





After:





Again, wasnt going for really dark. Just so that other enthusiasts will notice that they aren't stock. I'm just hoping they are the same shade, in the after photos one is in the sun and one isnt so they look off. But I'm hoping they are close, I didnt take a look in full sun.

Thanks for checking it out!

[dirtybrd]

Clean

[El_Chapusca]

Looks good

[kwimberly]

Looks great! I think you did just the right amount. I used VHT on my side markers to test it out before doing my tails - two coats was too much for the sides, so I'll probably do one coat for the tails.

[thebikedoctor33]

thanks guys!

I plan on doing the strip above the window once it gets warmer and I can do it on the car outside.

[Jbone29]

thinking of doing this to my avant aswell!! do you have any shots further away so you can see the entire back end?

[thebikedoctor33]

thinking of doing this to my avant aswell!! do you have any shots further away so you can see the entire back end?

i'll get some up tomorrow for ya. maybe hit up a mini shoot. haha

[Gom33]

looks good... where can you get the nightshades? can I go to kragen or anything like that? Looking to get this done as well...

[afozzie40]

looks nice, tint your windows

[dirtybrd]

looks good... where can you get the nightshades? can I go to kragen or anything like that? Looking to get this done as well...

Ebay

[1point8teeNW]

First of all. The satin look will always make them look “incomplete� Secondly, such a light coat, if not done properly, will result in pits upon closer inspection.

[thebikedoctor33]

First of all. The satin look will always make them look “incomplete� Secondly, such a light coat, if not done properly, will result in pits upon closer inspection.

they have 2 coats of tint and 3 of clear and were wet sanded with 2000grit, believe me, no pits. And if you have or do tint your own tails, you can decide what finish you want, so i'll decide mine, thanks!

[boy412]

thanks guys!

I plan on doing the strip above the window once it gets warmer and I can do it on the car outside.

What strip are you talking about?

Nice job...not too dark at all. Tinting the windows will really set off the look.

[thebikedoctor33]

What strip are you talking about?

Nice job...not too dark at all. Tinting the windows will really set off the look.

the 3rd brake light at the top of the hatch. it looks a bit out of place with the tails darker.

I will get a full shot of the rear for you guys today. Of course after a day of driving on jersey's nasty roads my car is covered in dust, but it will have to suffice.

[Tomek6]

Good that you didn't go too dark. Personally I would have just darkened up the clear part and left the red stock. Like the AMG cars.

[thebikedoctor33]

finally got around to uploading a couple full shots, please excuse the dirty car...

[forevraudi]

nice, not over done at all

[romell]

wanna help me do mine? i want to do all black like jet black and leave just the white. =)

[thebikedoctor33]

wanna help me do mine? i want to do all black like jet black and leave just the white. =)

sure, shoot me a pm.