VHT Nite Shade

[emberg89]

I'm tinting the window on the bonne next weekend and I planned on getting the VHT nite shade to do the tail lights, I'm going 5% tint on the windows, how many coats will I need to match the windows? and Would it be worth it/ a smart idea to tint the head lights too?

[crash93ssei]

Two to three light coats on the tail lights should get you where you want to be. Make sure to put some clear coat over them too so they don't look dull and ugly.

Do not tint he headlights. We tried that on my friend's black '05 CTS, it looked absolutely mean, but the light output was completely terrible and with it being on the front of the car, within 6 months it looked like crap. VHT fades anyway, so don't expect it to look the same even on the tail lights in a year.

For the headlights though, you can open them up, remove the glare caps and paint them flat black with header paint then gloss black paint all the chrome around the blinker housing and even lightly tint the amber light diffuser and that will give the headlights a tinted / darker look that looks really nice.

This is with blacked out glare caps, tinted amber diffuser and gloss black blinker housing.

[emberg89]

Thanks, how big of a job is it to do the head lights like that?

[crash93ssei]

Not too bad, warm them up in the oven at 200 degrees for a bit then the lenses should come off easy after prying off the retainer clips. The glare caps pull out with some wiggling, but make sure not to scratch or even touch the reflector housing of the light as it scratches insanely easy when even trying to clean off a finger print. The blinker area is very easy, just pull the bulb and spray with gloss black paint.

[Franksdad]

ryan, how do you get the headlights back together? because i plan on doing this after i restore them

[crash93ssei]

The glue / goop that holds them together from the factory remains sticky and pliable, just put them back together making sure the goop stays in the channels and they should seal up just fine. I have never had any issues and I have had several sets apart. Also just make sure to put the metal retainer clips back on.

[sextrosgxp]

The easier and best way to do this is take the lights to a body shop and have them spray them with clearcoat with some black paint dropped in. It looks factory and last as long as your paint.

Had it done to mine two years ago and looks like new still. Not much reduction in light either.

[crash93ssei]

The easier and best way to do this is take the lights to a body shop and have them spray them with clearcoat with some black paint dropped in. It looks factory and last as long as your paint.

Had it done to mine two years ago and looks like new still. Not much reduction in light either.

Definitely the way to go if you can find a shop to do it for a reasonable price. Any amount of tint will effect light output though so just be careful with how dark you go.

[sextrosgxp]

The body shop I went to charged me 25 per light, but I was getting some other work done hence the deal. 50-75 per light is a reasonable price.