Tints

**PKmode** · 03-07-2016 09:29 AM

First off, I had my windows tinted in the same fashion I do all my cars. That's 30% film all around and a sun visor strip of 5%. It looks good as is a nice functional upgrade for me.

Next, I decided to try out Headlight Armor Light Smoke tail light vinyl to try and mimic the facelift models slightly. Plus, I think it looks good with the darker colors in general as long as it is light enough that it could pass for OEM in terms of appearance. Worth mention is I have some vinyl experience and used to work for a vinyl sign company years ago. I did proper prep which included wash, claybar, then clean with 50/50 mix of distilled water and denatured alcohol.

Compare

Note the bumps in the finish. Even with care, it is hard to get a perfect finish due to the non-flat shape our our lights. They really need to be contoured around the light and all the air pushed out working from the center outwards.

Now compared to the other side.

Final product looks good from a few feet away but I will say the finish is not great. Even if it were perfectly installed, there still would be a general bumpiness almost like a heavy orange peel compared to the smooth plastic finish. At this point, I'm going to try and smooth them out a little better and run them like this for a month or two. Then when I have some more time, I'll get the car in to have the tail lights tinted with clear coat like I had originally planned. I liked the idea of having this removable but I think it looks good, so permanent is fine with me when the finish will be perfect.

So, against my better judgment, I tried this product out. It pretty much proves my signature "Do it right, or don't bother" as I just wasted $70 and the time. It would probably look really good to some and they clearly have a product people like. I'm a detail orientated guy and this would not pass my standards of quality. The finish in a best case scenario still isn't there. Great from a few feet but not up close. In addition to the orange peel, there are some spots that are slightly hazy and it is in the film or under it. Also, there were some light vertical scratches in the same spot on both pieces of vinyl right out of the package when unrolled. These marks would have been imperfections but there are far worse imperfections in the finish now so those are not a concern. Overall, I would not recommend this product for higher end vehicles like this. It seems the only way to do it right is with automotive quality clear coat that has been tinted and sprayed on in a proper shop with quality prep. This goes to show, there are no shortcuts if you want it done right.

**PKmode** · 03-07-2016 09:33 AM

Oh, I also threw in a set of the RS6 style pedals. These were the knock offs and the finish isn't as good as OEM but these just get dirty and have no real functional gain so whatever. Worth note, the rubber molds actually had Audis part number and the four rings were scratched out. My guess is these came from someone who tried to be an Audi supplier and couldn't meet quality standards. Forgive the dirty carpet. It is still the tail end of winter up here and I haven't given her a good deep cleaning just yet.

I think they look good enough for $43 shipped and literally 10 minutes to install the set.

**fatboydelights** · 03-07-2016 10:03 AM

Great post and thanks for sharing! I'm debating going with 30% or one step darker on the windows

**PKmode** · 03-07-2016 10:17 AM

Sure, no problem. FWIW, IMO, anything darker becomes hard to see out of at night. I've had 20% and didn't like it. I know there is always some yahoo that comes in saying he runs 15% or less all around and has no problem but that's BS. Also, our state law is the front windows can be no darker than 50% so I'm already running the risk of a ticket but that's never happened despite having 8 different cars done in this fashion. I was called out on it by State Patrol once and he even measured the glass on the spot (came of to 27% when including the factory coating). Still, he didn't give me a ticket. Phew.

**RRF985** · 03-07-2016 01:44 PM

I really like the tinted tails. I've considered the same. I have a question about the pedals. I have a set of OE RS6 pedals. How hard is the dead pedal install? I'll be throwing these on in a couple weeks.

**PKmode** · 03-07-2016 04:53 PM

The dead pedal is by far the hardest part and it may have taken a lot longer if I followed the Audi directions which would have you remove that side trim panel all together. I read others say to pull it away at the base and not to be gentle with it. I knew in advance what I was dealing with and man handled that panel. I was able to get it done in 5mins, literally. When you are taking off the old dead pedal, pull that panel away towards the gas pedal essentially and then you can slide the old out and the new in. Then its a quick few snap connects and you're done. Easiest Audi part install you'll ever encounter.

**LW3** · 03-08-2016 07:50 AM

Nice write-up. Thanks for taking the time to do it. What tint brand/type is installed on the windows?

**PKmode** · 03-08-2016 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by LW3

Nice write-up. Thanks for taking the time to do it. What tint brand/type is installed on the windows?

I'm not certain on that. I know it's a 3M product but not sure which one. Likely whatever the best stuff is as they are the best shop in town and do all the pro athletes cars and the new European car dealers as well.

**RRF985** · 03-08-2016 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by PKmode

The dead pedal is by far the hardest part and it may have taken a lot longer if I followed the Audi directions which would have you remove that side trim panel all together. I read others say to pull it away at the base and not to be gentle with it. I knew in advance what I was dealing with and man handled that panel. I was able to get it done in 5mins, literally. When you are taking off the old dead pedal, pull that panel away towards the gas pedal essentially and then you can slide the old out and the new in. Then its a quick few snap connects and you're done. Easiest Audi part install you'll ever encounter.

Thank you very much.