Tinting Rear side & bumper reflectors....

[mrjoshyman]

So for my side turn signals, I will likely just take them out & nightshade uhm b/c that doesn't seem too difficult

BUT for the rear side & bumper reflectors I really don't feel like taking the bumper off to get access to them.

Does anyone know if there are any tinted overlays out for them? Or a place that could do it custom for a reasonable price? I figure it'd be much easier to put some vinyl over it then to take the whole bumper off.....

[stephani3]

I did this... just bought some cheap window tint at Advanced Auto parts... cut out a piece that was a little bigger than the reflector, applied the tint to the reflector (use a heat gun or a hair dryer as you're applying them to get all bubbles out) & then use an X-acto knife to trim the excess away from the reflector.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b296/steph_a_nie/6-8-08/10-26-07036.png

[mrjoshyman]

I did this... just bought some cheap window tint at Advanced Auto parts... cut out a piece that was a little bigger than the reflector, applied the tint to the reflector (use a heat gun or a hair dryer as you're applying them to get all bubbles out) & then use an X-acto knife to trim the excess away from the reflector.


do you have any pix? what % tint did you use?

[stephani3]

hehe I just added a pic to the post. I think I went with 10%.

[Antoniogut]

that looks pretty sexy..did you paint part of the spoiler too?

[mrjoshyman]

hehe I just added a pic to the post. I think I went with 10%.

looks gr8 w/ the black wheels & the spoiler extension. i think i'm prolly gonna go w/ something more like 30ish % b/c my car is black and I don't want it to blend in 100%.

did you nightshade your turn signals? and which spoiler extension do you have?

[stephani3]

that looks pretty sexy..did you paint part of the spoiler too?

No I have a lip on the spoiler.


looks gr8 w/ the black wheels & the spoiler extension. i think i'm prolly gonna go w/ something more like 30ish % b/c my car is black and I don't want it to blend in 100%.

did you nightshade your turn signals? and which spoiler extension do you have?

no matter how dark you go, the reflectors still reflect red, so it's legal & blacked out would look sexy!!! and yes I used nightshades on the side markers. the spoiler lip is the Re-Amemiya replica by NextMod.

[numbnuts22715]

dabears2k.com has the reflector covers. Here's a link:
http://www.dabears2k.com/product_info.php?products_id=113

[iredremix]

i just ordered bulk vinyl online and will be blacking out my reflectors myself on my black mica. hope it comes out right.

[mrjoshyman]

dabears2k.com has the reflector covers. Here's a link:
http://www.dabears2k.com/product_info.php?products_id=113

thanks so much. does ne1 have experience with dabear2k? quality product?

Also if ne1 actually has these it'd be great to see pictures, I'm not sure if I'm gonna go with the light or dark smoke....

[Shiroi_ms3]

I did this... just bought some cheap window tint at Advanced Auto parts... cut out a piece that was a little bigger than the reflector, applied the tint to the reflector (use a heat gun or a hair dryer as you're applying them to get all bubbles out) & then use an X-acto knife to trim the excess away from the reflector.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b296/steph_a_nie/6-8-08/10-26-07036.png

a quick off topic question, what kind of paint did you use to paint your rims, it looks awesome.

[m5rMS3]

I have the lighter kit from rockblocker. Good product. The reflectors were really easy to install, the taillight tint was a bit trickier.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/boarder700/100_1892.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/boarder700/100_1888.jpg

[controlo]

a quick off topic question, what kind of paint did you use to paint your rims, it looks awesome.

+1. that's like a perfect semi-gloss color.

i used duplicolor semi-gloss for my emblems and want the same look for my wheels.

i bought flat black duplicolor wheel paint and clear hoping that maybe it will be more of a semi-gloss when it's all said and done. i may just go with a semi-gloss duplicolor engine enamel.

God, i sanded the passenger side wheels like 3 months ago. i really need to finish it.

[stephani3]

that picture was actually taken the day they got painted... since then they've gotten a little dull-er... not sure why (probably brake dust) but they are pretty much flat black now (which was the look I was going for anyway). But I used Duplicolor Engine Enamel, which on the can says its glossy black. Hope that helps.

[Shiroi_ms3]

that picture was actually taken the day they got painted... since then they've gotten a little dull-er... not sure why (probably brake dust) but they are pretty much flat black now (which was the look I was going for anyway). But I used Duplicolor Engine Enamel, which on the can says its glossy black. Hope that helps.

I will look into that, thank you for the reply. and BTW i love the pink calipers with the black wheels.

[mrjoshyman]

I have the lighter kit from rockblocker. Good product. The reflectors were really easy to install, the taillight tint was a bit trickier.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/boarder700/100_1892.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j149/boarder700/100_1888.jpg



if i remember correctly the rockblocker comes only as a kit meaning I wouldn't be able to get the reflectors separately b/c I dont really want to smoke my tails. do you know what % transmittance is? Maybe it would be comparable to the ones that Dabear2k offers....

[stephani3]

I will look into that, thank you for the reply. and BTW i love the pink calipers with the black wheels.


Thank you :)

[controlo]

that picture was actually taken the day they got painted... since then they've gotten a little dull-er... not sure why (probably brake dust) but they are pretty much flat black now (which was the look I was going for anyway). But I used Duplicolor Engine Enamel, which on the can says its glossy black. Hope that helps.

hmm. well if glossy black turns flat... i wonder what happens to flat black.

i might try the engine enamel with 1 coat of clear or something. do you have any pictures of what they look like now?

[stephani3]

hehe I think they were just reallllllllly dirty... I gave my baby a bath yesterday and cleaned the wheels...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b296/steph_a_nie/mazdaspeed3/DSC01796.png

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b296/steph_a_nie/mazdaspeed3/DSC01761.png


Sorry for the treadjack Mrjoshyman!!!!!

[mrjoshyman]

stephani3 -- no worries

so i contacted dabear2k.com regarding the kit, and its not really a kit after all. they just give u film and u need to cut it urself -- i might as well get tint @ my local auto part store lol

[Quiksilver05]

Looks good Steph. I think im gonna try a silver/mirrored colored tint on my sunlight silver MS3 but just on the side rears and maybe just darken the rear reflectors. I'll see how it turns out.

[controlo]

hehe I think they were just reallllllllly dirty... I gave my baby a bath yesterday and cleaned the wheels...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b296/steph_a_nie/mazdaspeed3/DSC01796.png

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b296/steph_a_nie/mazdaspeed3/DSC01761.png


Sorry for the treadjack Mrjoshyman!!!!!

did you wax it recently? it looks really wet.

[bluelion]

stephani3 -- no worries

so i contacted dabear2k.com regarding the kit, and its not really a kit after all. they just give u film and u need to cut it urself -- i might as well get tint @ my local auto part store lol

are you serious?! that sux cause i ordered the rear reflector smoke kit from dabears thinking it was precut. i don't want to end up having crooked tint on it. arghgggg(headshake

[controlo]

are you serious?! that sux cause i ordered the rear reflector smoke kit from dabears thinking it was precut. i don't want to end up having crooked tint on it. arghgggg(headshake

you can put a piece of tint on there and shove the excess around the edges of it... then if you want, use a blade to cut the excess off. (dance)

[stephani3]

did you wax it recently? it looks really wet.

yeah it had been clayed and waxed the week or so before i took those pics

[lestat13]

Steph, you are your car are hot as ever!!

on topic: If you want to nightshade but don't want to remove the reflectors, use painter's tape and newspaper to mask off the area you don't want painted. I was too lazy to remove my tails when I tinted, so that's all I did!! They turned out well even thought it was ghetto!

[controlo]

yeah it had been clayed and waxed the week or so before i took those pics

(drive2)

i clayed 3/4 of my car and waxed 1/2 of it and stopped. haha. i need to do it. i've had it for like 16 mo and it hasn't been done. :(

[stephani3]

yeah its soooo much work but it looks sooooooooo good when its done!!!

[ZooMIN3]

i see red "x's" could someone post the pics that Steph put up in a more picture friendly environment? I'm at work...and will be here for a very long time... =\ thanks in advance!

[stephani3]

^ is photobucket blocked for you? they are showing up for me...

[ZooMIN3]

yes, photobucket is blocked for me... =(

[stephani3]

just for you :)

http://i35.tinypic.com/ohlg5v.png

[controlo]

just for you :)

http://i35.tinypic.com/ohlg5v.png

that's a really good picture.

you're right. it is a lot of work. i like the way it looks with just clay bar. looks super clean. not shiny, just clean. :)

[ZooMIN3]

just for you :)

http://i35.tinypic.com/ohlg5v.png

Awesome,thank you! =)

I'm so droolin.... (rockon)

Love it!! I can't wait to get home!! WOOT!! Gonna give my Speed a claybarin, and a nice wash... (yes)

Thanks again Steph!

[LReyes66]

lol damn u make me want to paint my wheels flat black too... i was holding off on modding til i had enough money to spend on myself and my g/f's bday thats coming up.....

mmmm are ur tailllights tinted? iono if i should wait to tint the reflectors til i get my wheels painted



edit: seems like every is taking off their rear wipers :(

[LReyes66]

Steph, you are your car are hot as ever!!

on topic: If you want to nightshade but don't want to remove the reflectors, use painter's tape and newspaper to mask off the area you don't want painted. I was too lazy to remove my tails when I tinted, so that's all I did!! They turned out well even thought it was ghetto!

did u use clear coat? http://krystmsgarage.com/?p=26 says to use clear coat O_O

[stephani3]

nah never used clear coat... the black stockers are going bye bye, getting new rims this weekend.

[ZooMIN3]

noice!^^

[LReyes66]

ballin!!!


hey is that rear lip painted or is it unpainted? looks nice if its unpainted

[Blue Batmobile]

I have the complete set to cover all your lenses :). Email me if interested.

Bat™

[stephani3]

ballin!!!


hey is that rear lip painted or is it unpainted? looks nice if its unpainted

it's painted gloss black.