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Tinted headlights & indicators

3K views 42 replies 14 participants last post by  Dieseldestroyer 
#1 ·
I've been looking for a few weeks for a legal way of tinting the headlights on my F.. I know the front indicators are smoked.. But not by much.

Then I found this film on E bay called SPI Vision film.. There is a video on there showing it applied.. Says its legal too..

So I've ordered some and will give it a go..

Tonight I've removed the lettering and raised marks from my indicator lenses using a stanley blade and some 3000 grade wet and dry..

I can do a Clive styled how too if anyone is interested?

I've painted my headlights trophy style... Just want them tinted a bit..

I can't post a link to the stuff on e bay as I'm doing this from my phone

Allan
 
#10 ·
Hi Chris.. Its easy to strip the F headlight (write up on here somewhere)

I used 2k primer and 2k top coat black gloss.. As I have paint spraying kit and the finish is better than rattle cans.. But rattle cans would do..

I may get my new ones carbon wrapped if I go the route of having the whole car wrapped

Allan
 
#5 ·
Is this the stuff like fly-eyes kit?
If so it filters the light without any problems and passes MoTs...
I've heard that it can hold heat inside your light unit and burn the plastic, something to do with the uv protective film?
Good for glass units but not so good for plastic.
Although there have been people using it without any effect at all...

Would like to see the finished product :broon:
 
#7 ·
Yes its like a fine mesh type efffect.. So it doesn't reduce light output..

I plan to fit a pair of brand new headlights on my car.. And tint these.. So can't be any worse than current ones..

The ones in the e bay link would struggle to pass mot I'd guess as they deffo will reduce the brightness of the indicator..
 
#14 ·
I'm currently building a one off front bumper.. So it should deffo look different.. But that's no 2 min job.. Probably 50 hours work..

Mate picked up an F the other day with chrome headlights and it just looked too bright.. So I fancied having a go at tinting a pair..

One indicator is now totally smooth.. Raised lettering removed.. 3000 grit wet n dry sanded.. G3.. Polished back to a shine..

I'll do one indicator and one headlight and then post pics for comparison
 
#16 ·
If you look on youtube for this product there is a good video showing it installed and the lights on afterwards

I've seen a track Exige that has full black headlights (track only so don't need them) and it looked great.. So hoping this tint will make them stand out less, as you said above, blend in more
 
#26 ·
Say the film cuts out 25% of the light emitted.

Driving round on full beams would also be 25% less bright so you could probably get away with driving using them as normal dipped.
I think you're missing the point on how dip and main beams work. Dipped beams are not just dimmer, they're dipped so as not to dazzle oncoming traffic. Main beams, even with less output, will still dazzle because they are not dipped!

BTW, OP, don't vehicle lamps have to comply with Euro Standards hence the 'E' numbers moulded into the lenses? Are you sure you can remove these markings to put film on and still pass the MOT?
 
#27 ·
I've never seen an MOT inspector check every lense to see if its E marked..

I have LED ones on my 4x4 that were sold as E marked and don't have a mark on them.. That's gonbe through 3 mot's without issue..

The film I'm using states that the light output is unaffected.. Its not like window tint..

Time will tell
 
#28 ·
They do check this here in Spain. The E or CE in a circle means it's passed all regulations (homologation) and is fit for road use.

Just you wait til this legislation is passed in UK. Quad lights over here do not pass, nor do tinted lights. Anything that is non-standard needs homologation and that also means clear indicator lenses (though sometimes the inspector/MOT tester won't notice).
 
#29 ·
The film arrived yesterday..

Got around to fitting it this moning. kit comes with knife, applicator, wipes..

The £17 kit I got has enough to do 2x MGF headlights, front indicators and side indicators.. with enough spare to do another MGF headlight

It goes on really really easily (I managed it.. unlike my poo attempt at wrapping)

 
#32 ·
Interesting, might have to invest in the headlight film.

The wrap however..... Part of the reason I went with the spray, a matte wrap without the cost of paying someone else to do it and without the ballache of me trying to do it myself.

Its all trial and error though the close up shot of the carbon fibre "weave" looks quality stuff.

Oh and as for my earlier comment about driving around with full beam on... I can do this already and not get flashed, our full beam's are nothing compared to newer cars dipped. I realise its a different light pattern but at the end of the day I would rather see the bit of road I'm on than not....
 
#33 ·
The guy who is doing the wrap (won't be for a few months yet) will wrap it in 3d carbon.. And has done many cars so will do a much better job than me (not hard I know)

I plan to buy a pair of brand new head lights.. So reckon even those tinted would still be better than my current cloudy ones..

I love the look of the tinted head lights though
 
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