How to: Tint your third brake light

[R@pt0r]

A quick how to tint the third brake light. Cost was about $13 for VHT night shades spray tint. The basic procedure is straight forward.

Before


First Remove the Light...


Then scuff it up with 1000 grit sand paper to give the paint something to adhere to...


Then mask off the back where the reflector is exposed and spray...


Be careful when you spray because it is easy to get it too dark. I actually painted the back side of the edges with black paint similar to the tail light edges before I sprayed the tint. Also I sprayed the edges with a couple coats of tint first to make them darker, then I lightly misted the center of lens to blend it in. The tint looked splotchy when I first sprayed it, but I seemed to level out when it dried. If you mess it up just use the wax and grease remover to wipe the tint off before it dries and try again.


The finished product looks pretty good save for the one dog hair that got in the paint. The parking and brake lights are virtually unaffected and the bed light is just a little dimmer.

 

[Rookie]

Looks good. Nice write up

 

[MrGreen33]

Good DIY!! Looks Gr8!!
Have been holding off from this mod, but I think it's time to buy a can of the tint spray

Thanks for the write-up!!

 

[Boss Hoss]

That stuff may look cool but IF you ARE in an accident this can come back to haunt you legally.

 

[Rookie]

That stuff may look cool but IF you ARE in an accident this can come back to haunt you legally.

I would think having all of them done would but just the third break light?

 

[Boss Hoss]

I would think having all of them done would but just the third break light?

In a lawsuit situation you bet. You would be suprized..

 

[pwjstruebig]

Good write up! I did this as well and did my tail lights also. I would recommend taking clear coat in the can and spray like 6 - 10 layers (let dry between layers) then use the 800 then 1000 grit (dont quote me on the grit) sand paper to smooth it some and then I used compound ,plast-x and polish if you prefer shine

 

[f150corey]

you should rely clear coat it. or it will fade and ware away. and if u ever screw it up before u clear is. gasoline will take it off.

 

[ramx50]

looks good, I like the way it came out..... What kind of Clear Coat spray did you guys use??

 

[Rookie]

I used just a rustoleum clear gloss. Do not use acetone on the plastic for removal. Learned the hard way. It'll create cracks in the surface that are hard to cover up.