Here are a few photos of current idea on changing the look of an XK without going for the black out look that will attract cops.
I filled and painted the wrap around tail lights and the back up light assy and painted the color of the car (Not polished out yet....trial assy still) and I will do the same for the 3rd brake light (plastidip currently), painting everything except for a window so the led lights show.
Chrome bar is plastidip black but planning on painting body color also
Added some red tint to the LH side tail light, RH side is there for comparison.
Cant wait to hear thoughts as they will be the full range from love it to hate it!
lol
But.......the car looks STUNNING! Passed the girl friend test.......says it does not look like somebody tacked on hyundai tail lights.
Its only paint and will sand off.....
(Back up ight and reflector incorporating into license plate frame......legal and unobtrusive)

 

BTW.......car next to it is a 2001 xk8 silver with chrome jag wheels........

 

Well, I guess I have to give it to you on not being afraid to try new things....
I'll bite my tongue from there.

 

LOL....as I said....its just paint on removable plastic.
Will get better pics in sunlight.

 

My opinion is that the tail lights now look like the earlier XK8 lights. It doesn't due to much for me because I liked the newer wrap a round tail lights of the XK. Now the blacked out chrome isn't to bad and if I were to go with the black pack style it would fit right in. The 3rd brake like looks OK. So there is my 2 cents for what it's worth. Enjoy as the only one you need to please is yourself.

 

good input.
Actually my goal was to go old school on this as I like the tail lights on my xk8 a lot better.......so you actually confirmed my goal.......its OK it is not your taste....
XK and XK8 are parked side by side in garage, so I stared at it every day.
I am an older guy and just not into the prius/hyundai "tail light wars" look.
Like the simple tail lights of the old cars....cobras, etc.

 

As you said it is a matter of personal likes and dislikes. I for one go with the original appearance for the lights. For some reason the modifications look like they are unfinished.

 

I agree.....was thinking of putting the XK logo on the drivers side over where the back up/fog light is.......that new space is screaming for something.
All the parts still need polishing out to get the gloss to match, but I am enjoying the look. Car lines are so beautiful already that I did not think it needed the trendy tail lights.
In person the change is breath taking.....the camera flash highlights the "work in progress".
Thanks again for the input.....will provide updates as they occur.

 

The chrome strip looks much better painted the color of the car. In the state it's in there is too much going on and its like the kids that drive around with calico primer 240sx's. You did say that you're not done yet though.

 

Yes, I will be painting it this weekend along with the 3rd brake light.
The black was only for a practice visual standing back 30 feet.......I had read on this forum that painting the chrome blade widens the car and I had to agree.
Looks kike it comes off easily
Thanks for the input!

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...hetics-124138/

Here's mine. Made a world of difference IMO.

 

Yes.....I have bbenusing your car as a model for painting the blade.......you might want to think about painting the red 3rd brake light housing leaving just a small window for the LED.
World of difference also.
Not sure what I want to do about the screw covers as they dont fit exact.
Thank you for the pictures