Posted By Vinyl Frog On May 20, 2023

Tail Light Tint

Tail light tint is a popular automotive customization option employed by enthusiasts around the globe. It not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle but also offers great protection to your tail light that is more prone to damage on the road. Here’s everything that you need to know about tail light tints.

What Is A Tail Light Tint?

Tail light tints involve darkening the vehicle's rear lights by applying a spray-on coating or tint film. They limit the amount of light that passes through the lenses, reducing the output significantly. These tints are often applied for cosmetic purposes because they make a vehicle look more sleek and sporty.

Opting for a tint film is more long lasting than spray on. It involves applying a dark or colored film over the tail lights to change their appearance. The tinted film can create a smoked or blackout effect, giving the tail lights a darker or furtive look. A tail light tint film is durable and made up of different materials. It might be made up of vinyl that is more durable and easy to clean, or of plastic or polycarbonate.

Tail light tints have different darkness levels as well. You can get a transparent, light and medium dark tail light tint depending on your requirement. Though it is a popular customization option among car enthusiasts to enhance the aesthetics of their vehicles, it's important to note that the legality of the tail light tint varies by jurisdiction, and some states have restrictions or prohibitions on tinted tail lights for safety reasons.

Tail Light Tint And The Law

Tail light tint might be a source of beauty with benefits, but the level of darkness allowed has to be according to the law in your state. Some states have rules governing the amount of tinting that is permitted on tail lights, and in some places, tinting them at all might be prohibited. Plus, it is crucial to check that the tinting material will not make the tail lights noticeably less bright because doing so could be dangerous and prone to accidents.

You will have to calculate the degree of light transmittance when installing tail light tints. If you are applying them yourself, you might not be able to calculate this accurately hence it is recommended to refer to a licensed professional or government inspector to make sure your lights stay compliant with state regulations.

In most states where tail light tinting is allowed, there should be at least 50% of light transmittance. This keeps the light bright enough to be visible to drivers behind you. However, to be on the safe side, the best option is to apply tail light tints that allow 70 to 80% percent of light transmittance.

Benefits Of Tail Light Tints

Adding a tail light tint is one of the most common and easy modifications when it comes to personalizing automobiles. It darkens and gives a vehicle's tail lights a lustrous and glamorous look. The benefits of these tints are as follows.

High Aesthetic Appeal

One of the main plus points of applying tail light tints is that they improve the overall look of the vehicle. They add a charm to your ride especially if its body is also swathed in an exquisite vinyl film and the windows are tinted as well according to the law. The overall look is simply breathtaking.

Enhanced Protection

When something gets an extra layer over, it forms a barrier between the hazardous elements in the environment and the layered item. Likewise, the lenses of the tail lights may receive some degree of protection due to tail light tints. The lifespan of the lens will increase as the tint film protects it from dust, UV rays, scratches, and so on.

Road debris can be highly detrimental for the glass. The lights can become yellow, filthy and toneless because of dirt and UV rays. Premium quality tail light tints have superior UV and temperature resistance. They effectively form a shield against all these hazards promising the longevity of your tail lights.

Reduced Glare

In some situations, tints can lessen the amount of glare emitted by tail lights. This is beneficial for nighttime drivers who are behind the vehicle. Tail light tints reduce accidents as the drivers feel at ease with the car ahead of them if the light is not right in their eyes, consequently driving safely and comfortably.

Pocket-friendly Customization

Tail light tints are a rather easy and affordable option to customize a car. They enable owners to give their automobiles a distinctive look without spending a lot of time or money on additional upgrades. There are options in tail light tints as well. They come in a variety of color choices. For instance, red or smoked tints might be applied to give the car an assertive or sporty appeal, while blue or purple tints have a more striking and attention-grabbing appearance.

Different Types Of Tail Light Tints

There are different types of tail light tints available on the market with varying tint percentages. How dark your tint should be depends on the law in your state and how bright the tail lights of your vehicle are. Different cars can have various degrees of tints provided they do not reduce the visibility of the brake light for the driver behind.

A vehicle with big or bright tail lights could do with a darker tint as they will still be quite bright and visible, but a car with smaller or softer tail lights should use a lighter or transparent tint. In addition to the size and brightness of the tail lights, the design of the vehicle can also affect the percentage of tint that is needed. Some cars feature incorporated tail lights, while others have standalone ones that extend out from the body. Hence, the amount of light that can pass through the tinting material depends on the size, shape, and placement of the tail lights.

We recommend you to select the proper percentage of tint for your vehicle. It is vital to speak with a professional installer, consider the laws in your state and study the manufacturer's instructions. Following are the different types of tints that you can choose from:

Film Tail Light Tints

This is a vinyl tint that gives you a seamless finish. These are available as light, mid-shade and dark tints. They have superior UV and temperature resistance. They are removable, allowing for easy changes or restoration to the original lights if desired. However, it is essential to ensure that the film installation is done properly to avoid any visibility or legal issues on the road. Always check and comply with local regulations regarding the use of tail light tints on vehicles.

Film tail light tints are available in the following variants:

Smoked Film: Smoked tint films are popular for creating a darkened or blacked-out look on the tail lights. They reduce the intensity of light emitted, giving an exquisite stealthy appearance.
Transparent Film: These are clear or light tint films that allow the original color and brightness of the tail lights to shine through. They provide minimal modification to the lights' appearance but offer a lot of protection.
Colored Film: These tints come in a range of hues and shades to add a specific color to the tail lights. They can be used to match the vehicle's color scheme or for customization purposes.

Plasti Dip Tail Light Tint

Plasti Dip tint is a removable rubberized coating that creates a tinted or smoked appearance on the tail lights. It is flexible, insulating, non-slip, and durable. It can be easily removed from the tail light if you no longer want the tint. The coating can be peeled off to restore the original look of the tail lights.

Cover Tail Light Tint

This is for those who want a pre-cut tail light tint. These are covers or overlays that modify the color of your tail light. They are designed to fit over the existing tail lights. These offer a non-permanent solution, as the covers can be easily removed or replaced without causing damage to the tail lights.

How To Apply Tail Light Tints?

The three types of tail light tints are applied in different ways. Below is the process for each.

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Film Tail Light Tint Installation

Film tail light tint is quite easy to apply. You will first have to detach the light.
Clean it thoroughly removing dirt, grease and other detrimental elements.
Cut your tint film to fit the size and shape of your tail lights. Leave an inch extra on all sides.
Remove the backing of the tint to expose the adhesive and place it over your light.
Squeegee out the bubbles. Use a heat gun to smooth the surface and edges of the tint and reinforce the adhesive.
Tuck the film into any creases or edges by a razor blade for more precision.
Trim off excess tint around the edges of your light.
When the tail light tint has healed, which takes 24 to 48 hours, attach the lights back onto your vehicle.

Plasti Dip Tail Light Tint Installation

Before applying, make sure that your tail lights are in impeccable condition and do not have any cracks or scratches.
Clean the tail lights thoroughly so that they are free of dirt, debris, and wax. Mask off the surrounding areas with painter's tape to protect them from overspray.
Shake the Plasti Dip canister well and start spraying a light coat of Plasti Dip onto the tail lights of your vehicle, holding the can about 6-8 inches away.
Apply multiple thin coats, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. The number of coats will depend on the desired level of tint and darkness you want to have.
Once the desired tail light tint is achieved, let the Plasti Dip dry completely. It will form a rubberized coating on the tail lights, giving them a tinted appearance. Remove the masking tape from around the tail lights carefully.

Cover Tail Light Tint Installation

Cover tail light tint is like a sticker. Clean the tail lights thoroughly as you did previously with other procedures. Cleaning is the key to a long lasting tail light tint.
Select the appropriate cover tail light tint for your specific vehicle make and model. These covers are often pre-cut to match the shape and contours of the tail lights, making installation easier.
Ensure that the covers are aligned properly with the tail lights before proceeding.
Peel off the backing of the adhesive, starting from one corner. Carefully place the cover onto the tail light, applying gentle pressure to ensure it adheres evenly.
Smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles as you go along.
In some cases, cover tail light tints may require trimming to fit perfectly around the edges or specific features of the tail lights. Use a knife or scissors to carefully trim any excess material for a clean and precise fit.

Cost Of Installing Tail Light Tints

Several factors determine the cost of applying tail light tints. These include the type of tint you are opting for, the size and form of the tail light, and the installer's level of expertise. You can apply these yourself if you have the necessary knowhow.

Using a pre-cut tinting film may result in lower costs because it is simpler to install and does not require much trimming or cutting. If you choose a colored or specialized tinting material, the cost of tail light tints can be higher. Nevertheless, we advise you to select an expert technician with sound knowledge about tail light tints to make sure that the process is done correctly without harming the fitment. On average, the process typically costs between $85 and $175 per lens.

Tail Light Tints At Vinyl Frog

At Vinyl Frog, we have some of the supreme quality headlight and tail light tints. These heat rejecting, self healing tints are durable and long lasting and promise to give you good value for money. These are available in two variants: Light black and transparent. You can get the one that will suit your vehicle best to add a lustrous and stylish touch to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get The Best Tail Light Tints Now!

To conclude, tail light tinting is a popular customization option that can enhance the appearance of a vehicle, provide some level of protection to the tail light lenses, and potentially reduce glare for the drivers behind the vehicle. There are several choices available, ranging from traditional dark tints to colored and specialized materials.

It is important to ensure that the degree of tinting used is legal and does not significantly reduce the brightness of the rear lights, which can be a safety hazard. Overall, this whole process is more economical than any other type of vehicle modification. To get the best tail light tints that not only offer premium protection but are easy on the pocket as well, visit Vinyl Frog website today!