Smoked Headlights

[JohnnyT]

So, this has been passed around a few times in the chatbox. I've been contemplating the idea of smoking my headlights and foglights after seeing this:

I haven't gotten too much attention yet from the 5-0s with 20% tint and no front plate, but this mod might be the one to set me over.

So, I found an idea. eBay has some tint overlays for the headlights - 20% or 35% for the MS6. Figure I could do this and see what response I get. Anyone tried these? Any advice?

Link: http://tinyurl.com/bxu3mm

 

[dmention7]

I'd be wary of those flexible vinyl overlays--or at least know what you're getting into. I had a set for the tail lights on my 3, and it was a ridiculous pain in the ass to apply.

Besides that, I'd say if you do tint your headlights, I'd make sure to always drive with your parking lights on. That'll make the fact that you have dark headlights at least somewhat less noticable since there will be light shining through.

 

[Big Nate]

This is a good idea for the tails but I would never put them on my headlights. It will real reduce the amount of light they put out. Granted it looks sexy as hell. It would just be a bad thing in the end.

 

[JohnnyT]

My buddy with the MSP had a tC with the smoked vinyls and it looked good from far away, but up close you could see it wasn't exactly 'precision-cut.' It had a few creases and what not. Not sure how much of a pain it was to put on, but was the end result worth it for you?

I'd like to tint the headlights, but I'll need a daily while they're getting painted and I don't know how much attention I'll get. Figured this would be a good way to test that. Leaving the parking lights on wouldn't be a problem.

edit: Nate - I'll be getting those smoked LED tails by spring time. I talked to the guy with the MS6 who had his done in that picture and he said it actually wasn't as bad as you'd think at night. He said be weary of backroads and what not, but I'm never in those areas, and even then brights should do the trick.

 

[Slim]

I'd agree with Nate on this. You've got a car with HIDs and great light output, putting on tint overlays would take that away. And I think po-po would for sure take notice. My $.02

 

[JohnnyT]

Hmm, now I wonder about the difference in light output from stock with no tint compared to a 55w bulb with tint...

 

[spek1098]

55 watts is the normal wattage for an H7 I believe

55 x .2=11watts output equivalent
55 x .35=19.25 watts output equivalent

Them gonna be some weak headlights.

 

[JohnnyT]

The stockers are 35w IIRC.

 

[ZoomZoom Diva]

I don't really get the look, but I particularly don't get reducing your light output.

 

[YSOSLO]

I agree. If you could slap 'em on when you park it somewhere and then easily take them off when it's time to roll (at least anytime around sunset or after) then it would give you the look without jeopardizing anything or anyone.

 

[DrWebster]

Smoking taillights I can understand, but yeah, if you plan on driving the car at night at all, doing the headlights would be teh stoopid.

 

[keke]

I've looked into doing this a while ago. I went on the police forums to talk to them about laws and what not. They brought up some excellent points that I never thought of. For example. If you are rear ended, it would typically be 100% the other person's fault. But if you have smoked tails, all they have to say is they couldn't see your brake lights. Now the fault turns to you. So they you have to pay your deductible, your rates go up, ect...

If you want to do your fogs, which I really don't think anybody would notice I have some extra overlays laying around. You would just need to cut it to size, which is not that hard.

 

[JohnnyT]

Good points everyone. Looking more at it, if it wasn't a daily I'd probably do it hands down and just avoid driving at night. The headlight housing is still black so I'm sure my plans for this car will still make it look the way I want.

 

[keke]

It would look sweet but once you take other factors into account it might not be the best option. I figured if I did this, that would be the reason to pull me over, then come the other things that they would find wrong, like my tinted windows, tinted side markers, ect... Plus if you're going for the same look I did, it'll still look nice.

 

[JohnnyT]

purdy!

 

[mndsm]

Yeah, Justin's car makes me sad, because he already has everything I want.

 

[JohnnyT]

The guy who owns that MS6 in the first post sent me some nice hi-res shots but didn't want them distributed... ughh I'm in the same boat as you. $4k later and it'll look the way I want.