• We have updated to the newest version of the forum. Please let us know if you see any issues. And, yes, we know the shoutbox is gone. We'll see about getting it back if they make a newer version.

How To: Tint the side marker lights.

Big Nate

Chaos Engineer
These are the steps that used to tint the side marker lights on my Mazdaspeed6. I'm sure this will work for other cars also you just need to sub in how you remove and reinstall your lights.


1.First removal of the side marker lights. Turn the wheel all the way in one direction to give yourself room on one side to work. Remove the two Phillips head push clips and one screw that are towards the front bottom part of the wheel well. Pull back the black plastic fender well just enough to get your hand behind it (Note: not responsible for broken Sh*t just take is easy and it will be fine). Release the light via the push tad on the back side of the corner light (the tab is on the tip closest to the wheel). Be vary careful not to let it fall out and hit the side of the bumper and scratch it! When the light is out remove the plug from the back (if you don’t know how to do this STOP now because this mod is too involved of you).

2. Preparing the surface for the tint. Now that the light is out (leave the bulb and that part of the plug installed to keep water and dust out). Take the 2000 grit sand paper and sanding block dip it in water and rub the lens taking care to keep the block square to the lens. Until the letters that are on the stock light are gone (these letter are on the top and bottom of the lens and show that they are DOT certified for use). Keep dipping the block and paper so it is never dry, if not the paper can gum up and not last. The final lens will have a dull appearance it should also be flat with only a slight curve that will fallow the body line.


3. Now they are good to paint. Place the lenses in a well ventilated area, away from your car also put some paper under them (this stuff will stick to anything it touches). Since the spray a got was from Japan and I don’t speak Japanese I had to wing it a little. Just make even passes about eight inches from the suffice of the lens. I found that light coats work ok, just so you don’t unintentionally go to dark. You can repeat this process until you get as dark as you like. Let the lenses dry for a few minutes between coats. After you get them as dark as you would like, place a bowl or some other cover over the top so no speck of dust land on them as they dry. You will end up with a vary smooth shines suffice without any polishing at all.

4. Reverse the install and you’re done with those. Be careful not to nick them. It toke mine three days to fully dry and then a month before it was like the clearcoat.


Here is the stuff that i used.da_1.jpg
 

dmention7

Hater
I'm jealous that you 6 guys can replace the bulbs in your sidemarkers. If I want to go LED, I have to buy one of the crappy-ass things from ebay for $50.

BTW, I used NiteShades to smoke mine--I think they look damn sexy.
 
J

JustROLLIN

Guest
What are the legality issues in this wonderful state? I think its a good look, but dont want to press my luck.
 

dmention7

Hater
As far as I know, sidemarkers are not a required lamp, so I can't imagine there's any problem. I got pulled over and ticketed for my tint/no front plate, but not a word about the sidemarkers.
 
J

JustROLLIN

Guest
Interesting...I really like that look with the tinted windows.
 
Z

Z-licious

Guest
Whoa, thanks dude. I PMed you before I found this thread.
 
W

WhiteSpy9

Guest
I'm lead to believe that if they lit up neon pink or something like that. They could/would ticket you...


As far as I know, sidemarkers are not a required lamp, so I can't imagine there's any problem. I got pulled over and ticketed for my tint/no front plate, but not a word about the sidemarkers.
 

Big Nate

Chaos Engineer
There is a legal issue if you remove the light but not if you black it out. It just needs to turn on and be visible at night. You need to have a yellow marker light on the front two corners and you need to have a red marker light on the back two corners. They must be lights not reflectors. But that is only if you want to stay legal. Believe me police have a small hand book with shit like that in it to bust you if they need to find a reason.

Nate



And E-licious I posted this because you sent me that PM.
 
Last edited:

dmention7

Hater
I'm lead to believe that if they lit up neon pink or something like that. They could/would ticket you...
lol, yeah, but that's apples and oranges. What I meant is that as long as you have side-facing ambers on the front and rear of your car, you're set. The sidemarkers are not a required piece of equipement (like, say, the center brake light), so as long as they're not violating other laws (front facing red lights, etc) you can do whatever the hell you want to them.

I don't know about the 6, but the 3's front ambers shine to the sides as well, so I'm pretty sure they're covered from that angle.
 
J

JustROLLIN

Guest
Yeah, the front ambers do shine quite a bit to the side. Even more reason to tint those side ambers.
 
J

JustROLLIN

Guest
Are we having a Mazda install/share tech tips sometime soon? I have an intake and now ambers to tint. Not to say I couldnt handle it on my own, but meets are such much more entertaining...
 
Top