blacked out tail lights

J-Thurm · 02-07-2013, 02:30 AM

I haven't seen too many sets of blacked out tail-lights on a Z4 and I've actually NEVER seen a pair on a Z4 Coupe. I'm thinking of doing this since I have the all black theme going. I've already put a light coat of black on them, but I was thinking of going completely black to match the black sapphire metallic. Anyone have any suggestions to go about doing this or pictures of the tail-lights/3rd brake light blacked out?

Thanks!

mgwatson48 · 02-07-2013, 02:44 AM

Why would you wreck your $1000 tails by spraying them when you can get them vinyl wrapped for $50?

J-Thurm · 02-07-2013, 03:09 AM

Do they look as good when they are vinyl wrapped? I just want it to look like paint/match the paint color possibly.

dubsesd · 02-07-2013, 08:07 AM

Google search

And a forum search

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412136

SCHMOUPE · 02-07-2013, 10:29 AM

what kind of paint? And you are not concerned about visibility at night?

Twisted Six · 02-07-2013, 10:52 AM

When I first bought my coupe it came with smoked vinyl overlays and looked just ok. I got a ticket for them when driving to Bimmer-fest and removed them just to find out they insulated the lamps heat enough to stress crack them both.
Luckily warranty covered the replacement .
My opinion is paint ,don't wrap if you must do it!

mgwatson48 · 02-07-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisted Six

they insulated the lamps heat enough to stress crack them both.

That's the first ive ever heard to vinyl doing this lol. I don't think this is a very common occurance.

I'd say don't do it regardless of how you want to tint. It makes the car look cheap and ricey IMO.

SD Z4MR · 02-07-2013, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

And you are not concerned about visibility at night?

Second this. I still don't understand the need to minimize the effectiveness of a perfectly good safety device that has been on every car manufactured for decades. Why increase the possibility that you will be rear-ended because your tail lights and stop lights are dimmer than BMW and the NHTSA designed them to be? You don't even get to see them when you're driving your car!

Anyone that has been ticketed for this deserves the ticket.

strokeoluck · 02-07-2013, 04:50 PM

I too would worry about safety, but that's the 40-something in me talking. Given how close headlights already seem in the Z4 rearview mirror (short trunk!) there's no way I'd reduce the effectiveness of those tail lights.

KLH · 02-07-2013, 07:08 PM

I don't think it would be worth the hassle from Law Enforcement. Instead of toning it down, I think they would be an attention getter.....and not in a good way.....but then again, I'm getting old.

papitosabe · 02-07-2013, 07:28 PM

would you rather have bright brake lights or tinted brake lights if you had a drunk driver behind you and you were coming up to a stop?

tbalutis · 02-07-2013, 08:20 PM

Always looking in my rear view. As it is, cars seem to get too close. And yes, that rear deck is short!

I do admit it is annoying when behind someone in a newer car with LED's at a stop light. very, very bright and sometimes it begins to actually hurt, lol. For that reason, I take my foot off the brake at a light if on level ground.

But no, my respectful suggestion, for your own sake, is to keep the lenses stock.

KevinC · 02-07-2013, 08:43 PM

Visibility at night? I'd be more concerned about being visible in daytime. I've seen many a JAMF driving around my area with blacked-out tails and you can't see their brake lights for sheet. I'm shocked that law enforcement doesn't pull them over immediately for this obvious safety hazard.

Don't do it. You're not only messing with your own safety, but the people behind you. If I ever rear ended somebody because I couldn't see his brake lights through some hideous blackout treatment, he'd better hope that I'm incapacitated and can't come after him.

Jbs · 02-07-2013, 08:51 PM

here is mine.. very lightly smoked, black rpi exhaust tips.

scoop2365 · 02-07-2013, 09:30 PM

I believe you can go on E Bay and find a Black out Lenz film that is self adhesive.

Daemonblitz · 02-07-2013, 09:54 PM

I was very happy with Lamin-X did a very light tint on my headlights/taillights.
I would do it again, very happy with the results but I would order an entire sheet instead of the pre-cut pieces which were a huge pain to get lined up properly.

spr_bimmer · 02-08-2013, 08:44 AM

mine had a film tint when i got em, i liked the all black look but got pulled over for something else and was given a written warning about the tails lights, peeled em off and eventually used red spray tint for a uniform look...

and when its not directly in the sunlight they do look darker

Incompatible · 02-08-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Z4MR

Second this. I still don't understand the need to minimize the effectiveness of a perfectly good safety device that has been on every car manufactured for decades. Why increase the possibility that you will be rear-ended because your tail lights and stop lights are dimmer than BMW and the NHTSA designed them to be? You don't even get to see them when you're driving your car!

Anyone that has been ticketed for this deserves the ticket.

I fully agree with SD Z4MR and the others on this aspect. Why reduce the effectiveness of your lights? Personally, I wish they were brighter and more visible. Our cars have dual intensity brake lights with the brighter level activated under heavy/hard braking. I would like to see the brighter lights all the time.

ricanbandit · 02-08-2013, 11:01 AM

I have a very light tint (vinyl pre cut) that I like.

Got stopped recently when I moved to FL and the cop just wanted to see the engine as his wife has a 2004 3.0 Z (and no he is not on the forum though I did tell him to check it out).

I asked him about the window tints and taillights as I was new to Broward county and he said he would be shocked if someone stopped me for that as they were so light.

I personally would not go any darker

STIHLBOLTS · 02-08-2013, 11:27 AM

I have to agree with others, lights are something that should only be lightly tinted or not at all.

Black out can go too far, got to have just a touch of silver to bring out the bling.

aakash421 · 02-11-2013, 11:48 AM

You can apply tints to accomplish this, but make sure your state allows this, as many do not, like Maryland.

partlowr · 02-15-2013, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisted Six

When I first bought my coupe it came with smoked vinyl overlays and looked just ok. I got a ticket for them when driving to Bimmer-fest and removed them just to find out they insulated the lamps heat enough to stress crack them both.
Luckily warranty covered the replacement .
My opinion is paint ,don't wrap if you must do it!

I do not think the vinyl caused your lenses to crack, I have worked in the thermo plastic industry for 17 years and have a degree in plastics engineering technolgy. Vinyl is PVC, a taillight lens is a hybrid polycarbonate, pvc disapates heat at a rate nearly twice as fast as polycarbonate. Also polycarbonate has a heat deflection temp about 100 degree F higher than PVC. Not sure what caused the lenses to crack but it was not. 005" thick vinyl wrap film

02-07-2013, 02:30 AM	#1
J-Thurm Private First Class Drives: 2007 bmw z4 coupe 3.0si Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crestwood Posts: 182 iTrader: (0)	blacked out tail lights I haven't seen too many sets of blacked out tail-lights on a Z4 and I've actually NEVER seen a pair on a Z4 Coupe. I'm thinking of doing this since I have the all black theme going. I've already put a light coat of black on them, but I was thinking of going completely black to match the black sapphire metallic. Anyone have any suggestions to go about doing this or pictures of the tail-lights/3rd brake light blacked out? Thanks!
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02-07-2013, 02:44 AM	#2
mgwatson48 First Lieutenant Drives: 2008 E86 M Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 384 iTrader: (1)	Why would you wreck your $1000 tails by spraying them when you can get them vinyl wrapped for $50? __________________ 2008 Interlagos Blue M Coupe CDV delete : ZHP Knob : RE Trans Mounts : RE Clutch Stop : Stubby Antenna : Michelin PSS 235/265 : Magnaflow Axle-Back

02-07-2013, 08:07 AM	#4
dubsesd Lieutenant Colonel Drives: M coupe / 328xi LCI Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ottawa Posts: 1,529 iTrader: (1)	Google search And a forum search http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412136 __________________ 2006 ///M Coupe TiAg / IR -- H&R coilovers/RPI exhaust/ZHP knob/19" Morr vs8.2 hand brushed/Stoptech 355mm 6/4 BBK/Turner strut bar/polished diagonal braces/m tower caps/tekarbon 2x2 coil cover/Michelin PSS/gloss black kidneys/painted gloss black roof/mstache 2 front lip/AFE dry intake/RPI forced induction/colormatch corners/black chrome //M badges/rear diffuser/aeroskirts/rogue mounts/DKF adjustable hangers/22%tint/euromode lighting/LED interior & plate lighting

02-07-2013, 10:29 AM	#5
SCHMOUPE Major Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 1,387 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupe [0.00]	what kind of paint? And you are not concerned about visibility at night? __________________ Gruppe M CAI / Euro Headers / Rogue Engineering X-pipe / RE Diablo Exhaust

02-07-2013, 08:20 PM	#12
tbalutis fotontom Drives: 2006 M Roadster / 1999 XK8 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Surf City, CA Posts: 214 iTrader: (1)	Always looking in my rear view. As it is, cars seem to get too close. And yes, that rear deck is short! I do admit it is annoying when behind someone in a newer car with LED's at a stop light. very, very bright and sometimes it begins to actually hurt, lol. For that reason, I take my foot off the brake at a light if on level ground. But no, my respectful suggestion, for your own sake, is to keep the lenses stock. __________________ ACS exhaust / styled 19" wheels / factory hardtop / ultimate pedals / factory strut bar / aero skirts / aFe / Jaffster / gauges / factory Euro-spec mirrors / P3 Digital Interface

02-07-2013, 03:09 AM	#3
J-Thurm Private First Class Drives: 2007 bmw z4 coupe 3.0si Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Crestwood Posts: 182 iTrader: (0)	Do they look as good when they are vinyl wrapped? I just want it to look like paint/match the paint color possibly.

02-07-2013, 10:52 AM	#6
Twisted Six So many cars,so little time.... Drives: ACS5 Silhouette E34,Z4si-coupe Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Missouri-Laguna Beach Ca. Posts: 1,281 iTrader: (6)	When I first bought my coupe it came with smoked vinyl overlays and looked just ok. I got a ticket for them when driving to Bimmer-fest and removed them just to find out they insulated the lamps heat enough to stress crack them both. Luckily warranty covered the replacement . My opinion is paint ,don't wrap if you must do it!

02-07-2013, 04:50 PM	#9
strokeoluck Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M roadster Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 221 iTrader: (0)	I too would worry about safety, but that's the 40-something in me talking. Given how close headlights already seem in the Z4 rearview mirror (short trunk!) there's no way I'd reduce the effectiveness of those tail lights.

02-07-2013, 07:08 PM	#10
KLH Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 3.0si Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 211 iTrader: (0)	I don't think it would be worth the hassle from Law Enforcement. Instead of toning it down, I think they would be an attention getter.....and not in a good way.....but then again, I'm getting old.

02-07-2013, 07:28 PM	#11
papitosabe Private First Class Drives: '06 Z4 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 138 iTrader: (1)	would you rather have bright brake lights or tinted brake lights if you had a drunk driver behind you and you were coming up to a stop?

02-07-2013, 08:43 PM	#13
KevinC your average JAMF Drives: '07 Z4MC, '05 330Ci ZHP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,360 iTrader: (0)	Visibility at night? I'd be more concerned about being visible in daytime. I've seen many a JAMF driving around my area with blacked-out tails and you can't see their brake lights for sheet. I'm shocked that law enforcement doesn't pull them over immediately for this obvious safety hazard. Don't do it. You're not only messing with your own safety, but the people behind you. If I ever rear ended somebody because I couldn't see his brake lights through some hideous blackout treatment, he'd better hope that I'm incapacitated and can't come after him. __________________ Kevin C. Chandler, AZ '07 Z4M Coupe ..LL93707 '05 330Ci ZHP ..PD99819

02-07-2013, 08:51 PM	#14
Jbs The Photographer Drives: 07 Z4MC BSM/Black extended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 608 iTrader: (0)	here is mine.. very lightly smoked, black rpi exhaust tips. __________________ John Batte Photography / Flickr / Facebook 2007 ///M Coupe BSM/Black Extended/Fully Optioned \| RPi GT Exhaust w/custom gloss black tips \| Michelin PS2s 245/265 \| Pinnacle F1 Tint 35% \| ZHP Shift Knob \| RPi Scoops/Air Filter

02-07-2013, 09:30 PM	#15
scoop2365 New Member Drives: 2004 BMW Z4 2.5 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sothern Ontario Canada Posts: 10 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 BMW Z4 [0.00]	I believe you can go on E Bay and find a Black out Lenz film that is self adhesive.

02-07-2013, 09:54 PM	#16
Daemonblitz Commander Drives: Imola/Imola Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Aurora, ON, Canada Posts: 395 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 Z4M Coupe [4.27]	I was very happy with Lamin-X did a very light tint on my headlights/taillights. I would do it again, very happy with the results but I would order an entire sheet instead of the pre-cut pieces which were a huge pain to get lined up properly.

02-08-2013, 08:44 AM	#17
spr_bimmer Private First Class Drives: 2004 Z4 Roadster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ottawa Posts: 101 iTrader: (0)	mine had a film tint when i got em, i liked the all black look but got pulled over for something else and was given a written warning about the tails lights, peeled em off and eventually used red spray tint for a uniform look... and when its not directly in the sunlight they do look darker

02-08-2013, 11:01 AM	#19
ricanbandit Lieutenant Drives: 2008 M Roadster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: DC Metro Area Posts: 524 iTrader: (0)	I have a very light tint (vinyl pre cut) that I like. Got stopped recently when I moved to FL and the cop just wanted to see the engine as his wife has a 2004 3.0 Z (and no he is not on the forum though I did tell him to check it out). I asked him about the window tints and taillights as I was new to Broward county and he said he would be shocked if someone stopped me for that as they were so light. I personally would not go any darker __________________ ///M Roadster: Stromung Exhaust, Stubby, BMW Performance Shift Knob, RPI scoop, TSW Nurburgring's, Total DeBadge

02-08-2013, 11:27 AM	#20
STIHLBOLTS First Lieutenant Drives: 08 Z4M Roadster Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: South Georgia Posts: 350 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	I have to agree with others, lights are something that should only be lightly tinted or not at all. Black out can go too far, got to have just a touch of silver to bring out the bling. __________________ 2008 - Z4MR BMWCCA / ZSCCA Member

02-11-2013, 11:48 AM	#21
aakash421 New Member Drives: 2005 bmw z4 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: United States Posts: 9 iTrader: (0)	You can apply tints to accomplish this, but make sure your state allows this, as many do not, like Maryland.

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