Tinted Tails (96-99)
 

I've read Will's instructions in techinfo..... but I know that is for 92-95.

I was wondering how different it would be to do it on a 96-99?
I've noticed most ppl w/ tinted tails are 92-95...

Anyone from 96-99 (or others) have any tips (or ran into any problems) while they were tinting theirs?

Thanx

Ryan (BonneAlien) is your man on this one...

I think the procedure is similar, just a different style of lens. Talk with Ryan 8)

Will do Jim.... PM to alien is already sent....

You thinking of the whole light? Or just the yellow part?

Ol' Blue Eye's Bonne and I were talking a lot on the way back from T.O. looking at smellbirds butt.

If I were you, I would use masking tape to keep the back up lights clear as possible...

What do people normally do... mask off the backup lights or not?

Any suggestions for brand/type of paint (and/or clear coat)?
looong4 suggested NIGHTSHADES TAILIGHT TINT

I'm looking for something that's going to look nice, but still let the lights from the tail/brake/reverse thru ok. Also I'm looking for something that's going to last a while too.

Thanks

you most definately want VHT nit shades
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...09&prmenbr=361

i used semi gloss when i clear coated mine. bill recommends a satin clear coat to show less imperfections. its basically your call, but i'd put some sort of clear coat over it for sure.

VHT Nightshades is the only thing to do. If you ever plan on tinting windows, mask off the reverse lights for sure. With the darker windows, it's harder to see behind you when backing up. In addition, consider going with halogen backup lamps like I did. 250% brighter.

VHT Nightshades eh?

Hrm... searched 2 CT stores today... didn't have it. :P
What type of blub is used in the reverse lights?
I wasn't sure if they made halogens or not.. thanks Will.
I wonder if they make LEDs blubs...(no heat from the LEDs right? :wink: )

Does my 97 use blub type "1141"?

Can anyone confirm?

LED's wont' be bright enough for reverse lights, and your lamp monitor will have a fit. Go to Autozone. They'll confirm your reverse light number, and they have the halogen reverse bulb I'm using.

No AutoZone in Canada Bill, but they should have bulb numbers in the Owners Manual or failing that a listing at any car parts retailer.

Next time I go to AZ, I'll get the info of the halogen reverse lamps for you :canada: 's Or maybe kennginn can tell us. He works there.

for the 97 bonneville
Back up light
Part number = 3156

for a 94 bonneville (in my case)
Back up light
Part number = 1141

I still wouldn't tint those backups.

I agree 100%.

Ok.. I checked at the local CT.... they don't sell halogen lights in those styles.
I also phoned around to NAPA and CarParts, nadda... on the halogens and on the VHT paint....

Might need to do a cross border shipping w/ my one of my American friends (nudge nudge). :wink:

:EDIT:
Went to DriveFX.Ca

Did a search, found the following items (see the link)
http://www.7453217467431.com/browse/...ID&affID=39963

Which ones do you guys suggest?
The PIAA, the Toucan Xenon's or the DesignTech 50w?

Tinted Tails
 

Try pin striping your tails.You can tint them black or the same color of your ride.I started with 1/4in.strip and then put 1/8in.stripe on later ( not pictured ) in between the 1/4in.stripe.Looks great and can be seen just fine in day light.Adding the 1/8in. in between the 1/4 makes it alot darker. Works for me. See pic's http://photos.yahoo.com/socleanone

Sort of on the topic, how ricey would it be to install some small driving lights in the bumper for BU lights, and convert the normal BU light to turn signals???

not seeing much for pictures there :evil:

Tinted Tails
 

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ALRIGHT, im out from the depths of space... sorry :)

anyways.. i figured the shape of the 96-99 tails would look a little too strange if they were completely tinted.. so i just tinted the turn signals (obviously) .. however, i did a shitty job and didnt put a clear coat or laquer on the top and it slowly chipped off so i got some goo gone and stripped it. As of now im in the process of getting some VHT night shades online ...but im still in a debate of what clearcoat to use on top of the VHT.. any suggestions tinters??

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...13_31_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...13_42_full.jpg



oh yeah.. i tinted my ole 95's tails too.. looked pretty good. The car only lasted another week after i did it :(

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...60_79_full.jpg

I'm all about the tinted tails.. 8)

Tails With shades.

http://www.bonneville.fearthepearl.com/images/tint.jpg

Alien... you only tinted your amber lights.... hrm... I guess it's the lighter color of your car... makes the tails look tinted.

SOCLEANONE.... where did your get the covers for your headlights?
I didn't think they made then for 96+

they don't make headlight covers for 96+. they were custom made from 92-95s.

i think the tails(whole strip) would look fine tinted on a black 96-99.

here....i'll whore some more with tinted tails :lol:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...06_84_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...6_100_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...6_117_full.jpg

I still need to clear mine a lot better. I got nothing on them in the fall. :oops:

VHT Night Shades is your best choice! Trust me as I've done numerous sets of tails for people & my own cars too.
For what it will look like with various lights on, see my cardomain page here: http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/250343/3
This will show you what it will look like when done.

what material to cover the VHT? ..

VHT Night Shades is an arosol spray. No "covering" is required. All you need to do first is some surface prep. Wet sand the entire surface first, then clean it with acrosol. This will allow the paint (tint) to adhere better & give a glossier shine too. :wink:

if your recommending wet sanding, what grit should be used?

Ok I found a place in Canada that has VHT Niteshades... I just ordered a can.
It's going to cost me about $15 Cdn....
I also ordered some halogen 3156's by PIAA for my reverse lights.

Just had a few more questions...

Death, what grit wetsand should I use?
Also what is acrosol? (did you mean aerosol, or is acrosol a brandname cleaner)

Willwren, what brand of satin finish did you use?

You paid TOO MUCH for that VHT!
I sell VHT Night Shades to Canadians ONLY (**Sorry Yanks! But Shipping Paint & the like across the border is a real pain in the ARSE!**)
VHT Night Shades
I used the finest grit I could find.....You just want to scratch up the surface enough to allow better paint adhesion to the lens! :wink:
Acrosol = Paint Thinner or Acetone. **Used to remove all grease etc from the lens first, so the paint will stick better. :wink:
You don't need to "cover" the VHT tint with anything really.....I've done quite a few sets of tails, etc & have not found the need to "clear-coat" any of them yet! :wink:

I have nothing for clearcoat on mine really. I did way too light of coats for them. They're fine, but it's not the look i want totally. I'll be clear coating them better around Easter most likely.

$15 CDN for something @ a store, that costs 11 USD online is not a bad deal....

Effin Canucks.

I'm going to have to do some digging to find out what clearcoat I used. I know it was a satin finish, not gloss. Mine and Jseabert's are holding up very well with it. Stay tuned.

Will do....

(direct quote from my website ;) )

Perfect... thanks Will.

BTW ... I just found someone who supplys VHT Nite Shades locally.... but they want $20 per can :shock: .... I feel a bit better w/ the $15/can I paid for it through the mail.

Ok... I finally found the satin clearcoat... (I think)

Its Krylon Satin Wood Varnish... but it says for use on plastic too. :?
I'm going to test it out on some plastic storage boxes I have before I use it on the tails.

I also picked up some wetsand paper...
The finest grit I could find was 2000... it seemed TOO smooth... so I picked up 1000 & 800. What would you guys suggest?

That wet sand will be nice to polish those plastic lights.