[jakeabraham]

I'm gonna assume it differs from state to state, so this may be a stupid question. But I'm curious what the laws are about tinting headlights/tail lights. I've heard its legal as long as you dont tint them too dark, but if you just darken them up a little you'll be fine. I've also heard that if you get into an accident and have tinted tail lights, insurance can deny you coverage because of your tail lights. Does anybody have any information or experience about this?

THANKS,
Jake.

(BTW, I live in michigan)

[bigjohnstud4200]

You're correct, its based on state but for the most parts the law will be either.

1) No alterations to DOT approved equipment
2) As long as the light is visible for >500ft or something like that

I asked a couple cops out in my area and their response was, "Technically, any alterations is a illegal but we won't mess with you... unless, we are waiting around by the clubs and looking for excuses to pull people over".

[jakeabraham]

I don't see how it could be completely illegal. I'm pretty sure Trailblazers have stock tinted tail lights, not saying they're like black, but the tail lights on trailblazers look tinted.

[SlowSix]

It's illegal technically.... a good portion of mods you can do to your car are illegal technically

[mp4 player]

Originally Posted by jakeabraham I don't see how it could be completely illegal. I'm pretty sure Trailblazers have stock tinted tail lights, not saying they're like black, but the tail lights on trailblazers look tinted.

Just like lots of vehicles come with smoked/tinted windows that are darker than most states allow. That doesn't make it legal though.

[bigjohnstud4200]

Originally Posted by jakeabraham I don't see how it could be completely illegal. I'm pretty sure Trailblazers have stock tinted tail lights, not saying they're like black, but the tail lights on trailblazers look tinted.

The difference is that the "stock" tinted headlights have been presented and meet the DOT standards to fall within a set of standards. Yeah, you could tint your lights to the same degree of a stock tinted light, but that's an alteration that has not been approved.

I have smoked mine, they are clearly darker than a standard but you can definitely see the red. I've also been pulled over for other things and nobody has mentioned them.

[Rich J]

You wont get shit unless they need a reason to pull you over. Talked to a few cops in my area and MA is always strict on the dumbest things, so if they wont mess with me then I doubt you will get messed with.

[mustangmike!]

Black em out, get pulled over. Black em out, people cant see your blinkers or brake lights= get in a wreck or killed.

Light tint (smoke) sexy, still safe, small chance of getting pulled over.

[mustangmike!]

Originally Posted by bigjohnstud4200 The difference is that the "stock" tinted headlights have been presented and meet the DOT standards to fall within a set of standards. Yeah, you could tint your lights to the same degree of a stock tinted light, but that's an alteration that has not been approved. I have smoked mine, they are clearly darker than a standard but you can definitely see the red. I've also been pulled over for other things and nobody has mentioned them.

How'd you do your lights ? they look good. Im practicing right now on a spare housing. They are looking kinda like this. I just finished the clear coat layers. It doesnt have to much orange peel. Im still gonna get the 2000G out and sand it and use the polish to see how it turns out.

[whyxitx]

i bought a vinyl tint off of Ebay, maybe 20$ for the whole set, and they're still on. Took maybe 4 hours for myself to put on. And i don't regret doing it. It makes your car look sexy


Mustang smoked tinted tail light covers vinyl 99 04 - eBay (item 140475843388 end time Dec-08-10 05:07:41 PST)

Like all of these other guys said though, Most modifications to your car are technically "illegal." But i don't think they'll give you a ticket on your tail lights being tinted unless you piss the cop off

[tommy93]

some people have enjoyed this write up i have made, and some have bashed me for it...
ill post it to you anyways. its the entire process i followed to tint my tail lights. mine came out great, and they are holding up excellent.
i am not responsible for any problems you may have though.
that being said, i feel like this write up covers everything, and if you follow exactly what i say to do, your lights should come out amazing

How To Smoke/Tint Tail Lights

[mustangmike!]

Originally Posted by tommy93 some people have enjoyed this write up i have made, and some have bashed me for it... ill post it to you anyways. its the entire process i followed to tint my tail lights. mine came out great, and they are holding up excellent. i am not responsible for any problems you may have though. that being said, i feel like this write up covers everything, and if you follow exactly what i say to do, your lights should come out amazing How To Smoke/Tint Tail Lights

Ive seen your post before. Ive practiced on my spare a couple times now. This time is working alot better so far. I dont have much orange peel to the clear coat now. And I love how you taped off the reverse light ! You shouldnt have posted that I hate stealing others ideas, but a light smoke, w/ clear reverse lights looks like sex X2 ! lol

Anyways tomorrow Ill wet sand w/ the 2000 and use my buffing compound. Btw Im buffing by hand, anything I should know to help that proccess ?

[jakeabraham]

what about insurance? has anybody heard of tinting tail lights interfering with their insurance coverage?

[southfour!]

Originally Posted by jakeabraham what about insurance? has anybody heard of tinting tail lights interfering with their insurance coverage?

I have not but i had that same worry too. if someone rear ends you at night and used the excuse i couldn't see the lights.

these are my lights. pretty dark but they still reflect when they are not on and they are clearly noticable

[jakeabraham]

ordered tail light tint on ebay. i'll post pic's after i get em in the mail and put them on.

[carney]

Originally Posted by southfour I have not but i had that same worry too. if someone rear ends you at night and used the excuse i couldn't see the lights. these are my lights. pretty dark but they still reflect when they are not on and they are clearly noticable

You can see mine fine at night, my problem is during the day when the suns out you can barely see them.

[Six Banger]

I've been thinking of using vht on mine, is it true people could get away with the excuse "I couldnt see his lights" if they rear end me?

[03SonicBoom]

Originally Posted by 01SilverSixer It's illegal technically.... a good portion of mods you can do to your car are illegal technically

Not correct. Check state laws to see if it's illegal or not. In Indiana you have to have 1 tail light visible in clear day from 500 feet. You also have to have red reflectors in given locations. I had my tail lights legally tinted.

3rd brake light was EASILY visible from 500 feet on a sunny day (changed to LEDs) and stock red reflectors were untinted. They were also only smoked and not blacked out b/c I would rather avoid any accident even if it's not my fault.

Originally Posted by jakeabraham what about insurance? has anybody heard of tinting tail lights interfering with their insurance coverage?

I have heard of it happening. You can bet if I accidentally rear end someone b/c I can't see their tail lights I'm going to point that out to insurance. In which case, they would be at fault.

This is why I made sure my tail lights were legal. I didn't want some idiot rear ending me and it somehow being my fault b/c of tail lights. I never looked into the laws on headlights.

Originally Posted by rcarney You can see mine fine at night, my problem is during the day when the suns out you can barely see them.

Those are WAY dark. Don't take this personally, but they look TERRIBLE. Spend some time and sand them so they are shiny instead of dull.

[jakeabraham]

Originally Posted by whyxitx@aim.com i bought a vinyl tint off of Ebay, maybe 20$ for the whole set, and they're still on. Took maybe 4 hours for myself to put on. And i don't regret doing it. It makes your car look sexy Mustang smoked tinted tail light covers vinyl 99 04 - eBay (item 140475843388 end time Dec-08-10 05:07:41 PST) Like all of these other guys said though, Most modifications to your car are technically "illegal." But i don't think they'll give you a ticket on your tail lights being tinted unless you piss the cop off

How did you apply the vinyl to your tail lights?
Was it hard? Did you use a "How To"?

[carney]

Originally Posted by 03SonicBoom Not correct. Check state laws to see if it's illegal or not. In Indiana you have to have 1 tail light visible in clear day from 500 feet. You also have to have red reflectors in given locations. I had my tail lights legally tinted. 3rd brake light was EASILY visible from 500 feet on a sunny day (changed to LEDs) and stock red reflectors were untinted. They were also only smoked and not blacked out b/c I would rather avoid any accident even if it's not my fault. I have heard of it happening. You can bet if I accidentally rear end someone b/c I can't see their tail lights I'm going to point that out to insurance. In which case, they would be at fault. This is why I made sure my tail lights were legal. I didn't want some idiot rear ending me and it somehow being my fault b/c of tail lights. I never looked into the laws on headlights. Those are WAY dark. Don't take this personally, but they look TERRIBLE. Spend some time and sand them so they are shiny instead of dull.

They look alot better with a good camera and when i finish washing/waxing.
But i do plan on sanding them down, im tired of the matte look