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General => Cosmetic and bodywork matters => Topic started by: robertb2700 on 19 December 2009, 23:37

Title: tinting my mk3 headlights
Post by: robertb2700 on 19 December 2009, 23:37
as the title really, ive got some black tinting spray on the way so how do i go about tinting the headlights on my mk3? any rough guide would be good  :smiley:
Title: Re: tinting my mk3 headlights
Post by: burnt01 on 05 January 2010, 22:13
never seen it done.... might be illegal, but the same as rear lights, although it should be done on the inside of the lens to protect the paint from stone chips and looks nicer. 
Basically you want to clean the lenses to the max if u have a dish washer use it. 
Then very fine coats on the inside untill consistant.
The problem will be that u should wet and dry between coats, but the lenses have raised patterns on the inside and that makes it impossible!

Thin coats are a must and the overall paint must be thin to let more light through

All said and done the more i think about it the more illegal it is  :wink:

Might be ok if u only put them on for show every once in a while but other than that i think the police would pull you in a heart beat
Title: Re: tinting my mk3 headlights
Post by: robertb2700 on 05 January 2010, 22:24
never seen it done.... might be illegal, but the same as rear lights, although it should be done on the inside of the lens to protect the paint from stone chips and looks nicer. 
Basically you want to clean the lenses to the max if u have a dish washer use it. 
Then very fine coats on the inside untill consistant.
The problem will be that u should wet and dry between coats, but the lenses have raised patterns on the inside and that makes it impossible!

Thin coats are a must and the overall paint must be thin to let more light through

All said and done the more i think about it the more illegal it is  :wink:

Might be ok if u only put them on for show every once in a while but other than that i think the police would pull you in a heart beat

Yeah i've been thinking about this more and more, it seems like its a tad too illegal to go risking it. Police seem to be drawn towards my car cause it's sitting about an inch off the groud so I want to avoid anymore attention from them.

Thanks for the input though, much appreciatted  :cool:
Title: Re: tinting my mk3 headlights
Post by: VR6-Joe on 13 January 2010, 23:46
I know this thread is like a week old lol but have you done anything with the lights yet?

Just wondered if you've considered carrying out the "Joey mod" to tint your headlights, as I have done with mine..

(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs125.snc3/17239_1354341577488_1199897708_1060039_3157038_n.jpg)

Simply a case of popping the lense off and painting the edges with gloss black high temp paint then refitting the lense!
Title: Re: tinting my mk3 headlights
Post by: robertb2700 on 14 January 2010, 00:00
I know this thread is like a week old lol but have you done anything with the lights yet?

Just wondered if you've considered carrying out the "Joey mod" to tint your headlights, as I have done with mine..

(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs125.snc3/17239_1354341577488_1199897708_1060039_3157038_n.jpg)

Simply a case of popping the lense off and painting the edges with gloss black high temp paint then refitting the lense!

I've not done anything with them yet, I'm really wanting a set of dark angel eyes so considering leaving the tinting. How easy is it to separate and refit the lenses?
Title: Re: tinting my mk3 headlights
Post by: VR6-Joe on 14 January 2010, 00:34
Remove all the bulbs and the 4 metal clips holding the glass on, preheat the oven to about 200 degrees and whack the headlight in there for about a minute, remove from the oven and carefully prise the lense from the casing with a screwdriver or whatever..

If you paint the reflectors quick enough you can just push the lense back on and refit the clips/bulbs because the sealant is still warm (which means it's still soft and will be able to bond again to form a seal)

I just think it's a cheap and easy mod really. £5-£6 for a tin of paint, couple of quid for a decent paintbrush, and a little bit of your own time and effort :wink:
Title: Re: tinting my mk3 headlights
Post by: robertb2700 on 14 January 2010, 00:41
Remove all the bulbs and the 4 metal clips holding the glass on, preheat the oven to about 200 degrees and whack the headlight in there for about a minute, remove from the oven and carefully prise the lense from the casing with a screwdriver or whatever..

If you paint the reflectors quick enough you can just push the lense back on and refit the clips/bulbs because the sealant is still warm (which means it's still soft and will be able to bond again to form a seal)

I just think it's a cheap and easy mod really. £5-£6 for a tin of paint, couple of quid for a decent paintbrush, and a little bit of your own time and effort :wink:

cheers  :smiley: think i will give this a wee bash then, no harm in trying i suppose  :wink: