How to Tint Your Taillights - Kia Forte Forum : Sedan / Koup / Forte5 Forums

SubtleStyle · 05-17-2010, 11:16 AM

Hey guys, I thought I'd start a thread about this (didn't see one) so you might be able to help me and any others interested in doing this.

I plan on tinting the turn signals / reverse signals on the tail lights and have already tinted the turn signals on the side mirrors. I have a couple questions. First, I've seen that some people sand down the area first so the tint spray will adhere better. Is this something I should do? Second, should I apply a clearcoat over the tint spray (probably the side mirrors) to help it keep? I think I know the answers to those questions I just want your guys' opinions on it. I don't want to do those things if I don't really have to.

The side mirrors were easy and I suggest you do this first if you plan on doing it at all. It's kind of good practice as I learned I put on a couple too many coats and it's a little too dark so the bulbs don't flash as bright as I would want them to. I don't really care though, it's good contrast with the Titanium and looks great. Better to screw up on these ones instead of your taillights!

I plan on doing the turn signals / reverse signals later today and would appreciate any advice and feedback. Thanks!

Xcruciate · 05-17-2010, 12:14 PM

What kind of rims are those? I love 'em!

KanadianKoup · 05-17-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xcruciate

What kind of rims are those? I love 'em!

Ditto!

SubtleStyle · 05-17-2010, 04:31 PM

Thanks, they're 18x8 Motegi MR116's.

CuKoup · 05-17-2010, 06:30 PM

Your car looks great man. As for the clear coat I've found that it would probably help to keep the tint on and give it a little more gloss finish. I've tinted like 3 sets of lights and without clear on it they keep the tint pretty well except on my quad. The tint has started to come off in a spot from washing it.

SubtleStyle · 05-17-2010, 06:37 PM

So you're saying I should put some clear coat on to help it keep and make it more glossy but if I don't it will probably be fine?

jakeabbott · 05-17-2010, 06:58 PM

Did you paint your chrome grille black or did yours come like that? Mine was chrome and I painted it black as well. I have a titanium sedan and I feel that it looks much better now.

CuKoup · 05-17-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubtleStyle

So you're saying I should put some clear coat on to help it keep and make it more glossy but if I don't it will probably be fine?

It will help make it glossier but ive tinted a couple of set of taillight and they haven't said anything about the tint fading or anything but it will give the tint a glossier look.

fas93 · 05-17-2010, 10:50 PM

I did a tint film. Its nice and simplistic, and if I don't like it a couple years down the road I can just pull that sucker straight off. (Thanks to jeff613) Its a nice alternative. I want to film tint my side mirrors too! But i'm sorta scared to take apart my side mirrors...

YL Groper · 05-20-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fas93

I did a tint film. Its nice and simplistic, and if I don't like it a couple years down the road I can just pull that sucker straight off. (Thanks to jeff613) Its a nice alternative. I want to film tint my side mirrors too! But i'm sorta scared to take apart my side mirrors...

So did you have them tinted (Like windows)? or did you get some of those cheap films from ebay?

fas93 · 05-20-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YL Groper

So did you have them tinted (Like windows)? or did you get some of those cheap films from ebay?

No I got some high quality stuff from Rvinyls.com. I bought the extra application fluid and squeegee. I recommend you get those if you plan on tinting them yourself, but the stuff from this site is some high quality stuff. Looks nice and professional to me. Lol

WandersX · 05-21-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fas93

No I got some high quality stuff from Rvinyls.com. I bought the extra application fluid and squeegee. I recommend you get those if you plan on tinting them yourself, but the stuff from this site is some high quality stuff. Looks nice and professional to me. Lol

Looks better than mine =\ wanna trade via fax?

cyberalex57 · 05-21-2010, 12:08 AM

nice rims

SubtleStyle · 05-21-2010, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeabbott

Did you paint your chrome grille black or did yours come like that? Mine was chrome and I painted it black as well. I have a titanium sedan and I feel that it looks much better now.

The Koup's come painted black. The EX (mine) are flat black. The SX is a glossy black.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberalex57

nice rims

Thanks. It took a long time to find what I wanted but I'm happy with the decision.