Hi guys,

I know some of you are purist but others like to make their "Jaaaag" their own.

I modified my tail lights today using "Nite Lites" tint. This is 2 coats of tint and 4 coats of clear over that but no buffing has been done yet.

To get the desired look I used Mail box letters (Zero's) to get the ovals and center cut-outs.

What do you guys think? THe car is 98 XK8 and it's Anthracite with Oatmeal interior. I also tinted the windows the other day.

I can post some pictures of the process if anyone is interested.

Enjoy. Comments good or "oh my god what did you do to your Jaaaag" are welcome.

Barry

 

That's actually pretty cool. I wouldn't do it the same way, but it does look nice. I would have covered the centers of the 0s to make them ovals and possibly wouldn't have left anything on the backup and turn signals. One of the problems with the early tail lights is how squared off they are. It is in stark contrast to such a curvy car, and this addresses that problem.

I don't know if I am brave enough to do something like it, but I may play around a bit in Photoshop and see what a few ideas would look like.

Can you take a few photos with the lights on?

 

lights on in garage...

 

Here is the quick photoshop I did:

I stuck with circles, since I think they look good, are similar to the later style tail lights, and mimic my exhaust tips. I think it looks good, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to bite the bullet and do it. I kept it a little lighter than yours to look a little more stock. If I had a black car, I would consider darker.

 

I for one would be interested in the process and materials used. Have been thinking of doing this on clear marker and turn lights to give a more sinister look to a black car.

 

This is the stuff I've seen used before: http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshades/

Spray very light coats to keep it even.

 

I think it looks great! I don't think it would look good on a lighter color car but on your dark car it's very cool. Good job

 

Keith, I also think it would look best with only the circles/ovals over the brake/tails...leaving the turn and backup alone. Too many circles looks strange.

 

I think you are right, Matt. I was playing around with them, trying to decide what to do with them, and nothing was looking right to me. I did one more test with the left side tinted, the right side not. I think, if I decided to do this, I will do the three circles on the bottom and not tint the turn and backup lights. I will probably play around in illustrator and create a mask that way to ensure both sides are even. Now I just need to decide if I like the look enough to do it.

 

I say go for it Keith, it looks great.

Mark

 

Wow those look great, definitely have to get that done to mine, nice!

 

After seeing Barry's tail-lights in person I would like to get mine done in the next week or so, does anyone else have any example ideas or photoshop ideas on what design to do?

Thanks!

 

Also besides a hobby store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels where can I see/buy some stencils etc to use with the spray?

Thanks!

 

I'm still planning on doing this sometime. I just haven't been motivated enough lately. I've been a bit busy with other things, and when I have had the extra time, I'm more about driving right now. Soon though, I will do this up like my earlier photoshop.

My plan for stencils was to print out what I wanted on a full sheet of sticker paper and then cut it out as necessary. Feel free to copy my idea. If I get a chance next week I may start with the mask and then go from there. I will post it up then.

 

You can also slightly lift the edges of your stencils and be certain to spray exactly perpendicular to the surface in order to soften the edges. That should provide a more OE appearance, as if they were masked on the inside of the lens.

 

Hi All;

I was intrigued by K Westra's photoshop efforts, and decided to do some real-life experimenting. I just HAPPENED to have a spare, slightly damaged tail light assy on hand (Don't ask!) I went with the three-circle look, and applied a single coat of the black lens tint. I liked the look so much, that I bit the bullet, and modified both my rear lenses. The results are below (I hope). In real life, there is a bit more redishness to the affected areas, but it did get rid of the sort of 'red bug-eye' look that I wasn't crazy about in stock form. A night shot would reveal that I have hardly reduced the light that gets through when I hit the brakes.

Thanks to K W and all for the idea!

 

Sorry, Guys. My computing savvy has embarassed me again. I'll try and attach the pics again!

 

Robert, that is exactly the look I'll be going for! Very nice! I don't think I will go quite as dark, but close, although it could just be the picture. Now that you've done it, I really need to bite the bullet and do it.

 

I know on my Model A Ford the red brake has a template in it that says STOP when the light is on. Not suggesting it. Just thought I'd throw that in. Things always repeat themselves.

 

Nice work gentlemen! You have achieved a look close to the Victory Edition/4.2s factory tail lights. I was getting a bit nervous about having to replace these in the event of any on road or parking lot incident but it appears you can replicate a facsimile from the standard lenses fairly easily.