Tinted my 3rd-brake light
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 7, 2011
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 567
From: NC
Tinted my 3rd-brake light
So I couldn't find an exact-match Sterling Gray color in a spray can at the AutoZone, but I always thought Dark Shadow Gray was close, so I grabbed a can of that and home I went.
Started by cleaning the lens, then some Adhesion Promoter, about 4 coats, then about 2 light coats of the color (a "coat" to me being spraying one way in each direction), then clear coat.
Let me know what you think
Progress pics :
The adhesion promoter applied:
The color applied:
The clear applied and dry enough that I ran outside to install the lens right after this pic:
(this pic also shows that the red can still be seen through the paint)
Started by cleaning the lens, then some Adhesion Promoter, about 4 coats, then about 2 light coats of the color (a "coat" to me being spraying one way in each direction), then clear coat.
Let me know what you think
Progress pics :
The adhesion promoter applied:
The color applied:
The clear applied and dry enough that I ran outside to install the lens right after this pic:
(this pic also shows that the red can still be seen through the paint)
Sweet looking ride man well done! 
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 7, 2011
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 567
From: NC
Thanks guys and if anyone is wondering, yes I can still see the red when the brakes are applied, even in daylight.
I've done this already to my 2010 Focus which is red but had a white lens for the third brake light, and can also see the red very well when braking.
It's illegal to block out the third brake light around here, and of course, not smart to do so ...
.
I've done this already to my 2010 Focus which is red but had a white lens for the third brake light, and can also see the red very well when braking.
It's illegal to block out the third brake light around here, and of course, not smart to do so ...
.
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 7, 2011
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 567
From: NC
I will.
I had my girlfriend apply the brakes earlier today, in bright sun and I could see that the 3rd brake light was applied too, although they were nowhere near as bright as stock.
I've been meaning to make a night-time video of these '13 tail lights anyway, now this gives me another reason to do so
.
I had my girlfriend apply the brakes earlier today, in bright sun and I could see that the 3rd brake light was applied too, although they were nowhere near as bright as stock.
I've been meaning to make a night-time video of these '13 tail lights anyway, now this gives me another reason to do so
.
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 7, 2011
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 567
From: NC
For those of you that think I've done some terrible thing by putting a light coat of paint on my third brake light, here's the car with the brakes applied and with them off, from the same distance, in the same lighting conditions:
Last edited by Gabe; Aug 31, 2012 at 12:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: August 7, 2011
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 567
From: NC
Banned
Joined: March 9, 2011
Posts: 16,242
Likes: 6
Originally Posted by Gabe
For those of you that think I've done some terrible thing by putting a light coat of paint on my third brake light, here's the car with the brakes applied and with them off, from the same distance, in the same lighting conditions:
GTR Member
Joined: November 6, 2011
Posts: 6,784
Likes: 20
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Gabe
Thanks guys and if anyone is wondering, yes I can still see the red when the brakes are applied, even in daylight.
I've done this already to my 2010 Focus which is red but had a white lens for the third brake light, and can also see the red very well when braking.
It's illegal to block out the third brake light around here, and of course, not smart to do so ...
.
I've done this already to my 2010 Focus which is red but had a white lens for the third brake light, and can also see the red very well when braking.
It's illegal to block out the third brake light around here, and of course, not smart to do so ...
.
Banned
Joined: March 9, 2011
Posts: 16,242
Likes: 6
Originally Posted by Gabe
Video of lights in action, just taken tonight:
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZADbTgH8VmU
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZADbTgH8VmU
Shelby GT500 Member
Joined: March 3, 2004
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Still shines bright to me...still gotta becareful if someone does rearend you. Im sure the tinted light would be brought up to try and get out of a ticket by someone.
Looks good IMO though
Looks good IMO though
