An attempt at Headlight tinting

smanji · 02-19-2019, 03:56 PM

I fancy myself a bit of a DIY'er so i thought i would try my hand at tinting the headlights. My only concern with this mod was the amount of light reduction that would be caused by the tint film (I settled on light smoke), surprisingly it is minimal so decided to go ahead with the project.

Tools:
Single sided blade
scalpel
soft edged(fabric/felt coated) small squeegee
Stiffer credit card sized squeegee
spray bottle (diluted with a few drops of J&J baby shampoo)
hair dryer

As it was my first attempt at tinting I started with the front fog lights to test the water which were very easy, as there is a recess in front of the fog light i found cutting the film as close to the shape then applying to the light negated the need for cutting after and left a seamless covering.

I then had a go at headlight which was a lot more difficult, I made a few mistakes along the way. However with all good lessons i learnt how the film needs to be heated, stretched and manipulated around the curved areas to avoid wrinkles all while trying to squeegee the film to remove bubbles. I ran out of tint film from erroneous cuts so more is on order. So whilst the car still looks like a before and after shot i thought i would ask the opinion of the masses.

I personally like the hue of the film as it is quite close to the cerium grey colour and not too dark to impair vision at night.(i can take picture of light difference at night if any one is curious).

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***Edited***

Now with pictures at night (left side is tinted...can you tell?), i dont think the slight reduction in light is enough to deem it a safety issue, still brighter than a regular car fitted with halogens.

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chicagofan00 · 02-19-2019, 04:11 PM

I really do like the look, just not sure it's something I would do to my own car. I'd be curious to see the nighttime photo comparing the light output since you do have one side not covered.

Bob in IL · 02-19-2019, 04:18 PM

Light output and effectiveness is far more important to me than the tinted look. A no go for me.

JustChris · 02-19-2019, 04:22 PM

Looks pretty decent, wonder what light reduction it brings, let us know...

nyalpine90 · 02-19-2019, 04:33 PM

Maybe go with lighter tint

SC11 · 02-19-2019, 04:42 PM

Mine and how they look at night

SROC3 · 02-19-2019, 04:45 PM

Have you tried Lamin-X?
https://www.lamin-x.com/

fricfracfrank · 02-19-2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SROC3

Have you tried Lamin-X?
https://www.lamin-x.com/

Do you have the link to the fog lights tinted yellow.....I can't find it via the search function

JCLBoston · 02-19-2019, 07:22 PM

I'm generally not a fan of tinted headlights, but I have to say that yours looks quite good. Well done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC11

Mine and how they look at night

IXVXI · 02-19-2019, 08:25 PM

I think it looks great. A similar tint treatment applied to the grills and other cerium bits will make it phenomenal imo.

Perhaps another DYI project for you?

HoustonEaDo · 02-20-2019, 07:38 AM

Is it legal to tint your headlights ? My quick google search came up with mostly illegal here in the US

MechX3M40i · 02-20-2019, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonEaDo

Is it legal to tint your headlights ? My quick google search came up with mostly illegal here in the US

It's mostly the level of risk you want to take. In my state, it's illegal to not put on the front license plate but still plenty of cars running around without one

:

X5MSD · 02-20-2019, 07:59 AM

Looks good
Can you get a lighter tint ?
Will you do the rear lights ?

MechX3M40i · 02-20-2019, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureModelsOnly

Pays extra for LED headlights. Immediately proceeds to cover them up.

LOL - to each their own... Maybe some folks knew they wanted to tint the headlights, so they opted for the LED option upfront?!

MarkyM · 02-20-2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureModelsOnly

Pays extra for LED headlights. Immediately proceeds to cover them up.

LOL - to each their own... Maybe some folks knew they wanted to tint the headlights, so they opted for the LED option upfront?!

Icon LEDs are standard in UK

MarkyM · 02-20-2019, 09:59 AM

I like it with the white exterior, nice to see one with an original grille, looks great

SC11 · 02-20-2019, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

LOL - to each their own... Maybe some folks knew they wanted to tint the headlights, so they opted for the LED option upfront?!

You do realise these films are quite transparent once lights are on?

MechX3M40i · 02-20-2019, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC11

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

LOL - to each their own... Maybe some folks knew they wanted to tint the headlights, so they opted for the LED option upfront?!

You do realise these films are quite transparent once lights are on?

I personally have no issues whatsoever...

You might need to convince others though...

SC11 · 02-20-2019, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

I personally have no issues whatsoever...

You might need to convince others though...

I quoted the wrong post!!!

Teach me with my sausage fingers using my iPhone!!!

HoustonEaDo · 02-20-2019, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

It's mostly the level of risk you want to take. In my state, it's illegal to not put on the front license plate but still plenty of cars running around without one

:

I hear ya about the front license plate, haven't had one since I moved to Texas...

I was more thinking if you got in an accident at night, would your insurance balk at covering you because of the tinted lights?

Will78801 · 02-20-2019, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC11

Mine and how they look at night

Looks good

smanji · 02-20-2019, 01:02 PM

I appreciate all the comments guys! and I will get some pictures at night for those still on the fence about light output

Quote:

Originally Posted by SROC3

Have you tried Lamin-X?
https://www.lamin-x.com/

those would be ideal but a bit on the pricey side including international shipping

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonEaDo

Is it legal to tint your headlights ? My quick google search came up with mostly illegal here in the US

There isnt any laws in the UK specifically regarding the tinting of front or rear lights although the lights must remain the same colour white/yellow front and red on the rear. a bit of common sense regarding the level of tint and it isnt a problem, my previous car has had rear smoked lights and I received no bother from the police or MOT inspections.

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5MSD

Looks good
Can you get a lighter tint ?
Will you do the rear lights ?

There is a grade lighter then this "ultra light smoke", i actually only intended to do the rears but it was a lot more difficult then anticipated so did the fronts instead to practice. i will have a go again at the rears once i have mastered it

View Poll Results: What to do?!
Complete using the same colour tint (light smoke)	18	23.68%
Tint it darker	0	0%
Remove the headlight tint (keep it clear)	58	76.32%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll

02-19-2019, 03:56 PM	#1
smanji Private First Class 133 Rep 186 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Alpine White Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Honda Civic Ty ... [0.00]	An attempt at Headlight tinting I fancy myself a bit of a DIY'er so i thought i would try my hand at tinting the headlights. My only concern with this mod was the amount of light reduction that would be caused by the tint film (I settled on light smoke), surprisingly it is minimal so decided to go ahead with the project. Tools: Single sided blade scalpel soft edged(fabric/felt coated) small squeegee Stiffer credit card sized squeegee spray bottle (diluted with a few drops of J&J baby shampoo) hair dryer As it was my first attempt at tinting I started with the front fog lights to test the water which were very easy, as there is a recess in front of the fog light i found cutting the film as close to the shape then applying to the light negated the need for cutting after and left a seamless covering. I then had a go at headlight which was a lot more difficult, I made a few mistakes along the way. However with all good lessons i learnt how the film needs to be heated, stretched and manipulated around the curved areas to avoid wrinkles all while trying to squeegee the film to remove bubbles. I ran out of tint film from erroneous cuts so more is on order. So whilst the car still looks like a before and after shot i thought i would ask the opinion of the masses. I personally like the hue of the film as it is quite close to the cerium grey colour and not too dark to impair vision at night.(i can take picture of light difference at night if any one is curious). *Edited* Now with pictures at night (left side is tinted...can you tell?), i dont think the slight reduction in light is enough to deem it a safety issue, still brighter than a regular car fitted with halogens. Last edited by smanji; 02-20-2019 at 03:18 PM..
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02-19-2019, 04:11 PM	#2
chicagofan00 Major General 19227 Rep 8,067 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 M60i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Phoenix iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [10.00]	I really do like the look, just not sure it's something I would do to my own car. I'd be curious to see the nighttime photo comparing the light output since you do have one side not covered. __________________ Instagram: @Phxrisingphotography Current - 2024 G05 X5 ///M60i in Java Green Past - 2005 E53 X5 3.0i in Titanium Silver; 2008 E92 335i in Montego Blue; 2019 G01 X3 M40i in Glacier Silver; 2022 G80 M3 Competition in Twilight Purple
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02-19-2019, 04:18 PM	#3
Bob in IL Major 794 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2024 G01 X3, 2019 G30 5 Series Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Chicago area iTrader: (0)	Light output and effectiveness is far more important to me than the tinted look. A no go for me.
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02-19-2019, 04:22 PM	#4
JustChris General 17546 Rep 25,130 Posts Drives: Tesla MYRWD Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Looks pretty decent, wonder what light reduction it brings, let us know... __________________ My car made front page of Bimmerpost
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02-19-2019, 04:33 PM	#5
nyalpine90 Lieutenant General 7441 Rep 11,852 Posts Drives: MY24 G01 AW Msport Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: L.I. NY iTrader: (4) Garage List 2016 BMW X4 [9.33]	Maybe go with lighter tint
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02-19-2019, 04:42 PM	#6
SC11 Private First Class 186 Rep 194 Posts Drives: X4 M40i Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Mine and how they look at night
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02-19-2019, 04:45 PM	#7
SROC3 The limit of adhesion is my home. 1702 Rep 3,778 Posts Drives: Like a Boss. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: three.one.zero iTrader: (1)	Have you tried Lamin-X? https://www.lamin-x.com/ __________________ 2019 X3 xDrive30i Glacier Silver \| Cognac w/ Fine Cove \| MSport \| Premium \| Dynamic Handling PKG \| Drive Assist \| HK w/ Bavsound Upgrade \|
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02-19-2019, 08:25 PM	#10
IXVXI Second Lieutenant 132 Rep 232 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i & F30 328i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (2)	I think it looks great. A similar tint treatment applied to the grills and other cerium bits will make it phenomenal imo. Perhaps another DYI project for you?
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02-20-2019, 07:38 AM	#11
HoustonEaDo First Lieutenant 160 Rep 372 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	Is it legal to tint your headlights ? My quick google search came up with mostly illegal here in the US
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02-20-2019, 07:59 AM	#13
X5MSD Lieutenant 353 Rep 440 Posts Drives: X3 40i M Performance Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Hertfordshire iTrader: (0)	Looks good Can you get a lighter tint ? Will you do the rear lights ?
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02-20-2019, 09:59 AM	#16
MarkyM Major 383 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: May 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I like it with the white exterior, nice to see one with an original grille, looks great
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