Headlight/Taillight Tint Durability

[MontelG]

I've noticed a number of threads talking about the tint kits. Especially how good they look. I don't see anything about the durability though.

How do they hold up to car washes? At home with a pressure washer I have some control but what about commercial car washes? Does film hold up to brush and touch-less commercial car washes?

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[Dat37tho]

Kind of depends on what/where you buy your tint from. My personal suggestion is the blackout kit from Anchor Room.

Their product is what I've used on all my lights except for the headlights, and in answering your original question, the durability is very good! And I can say they definitely hold up very well in heavy brush or brushless car washes. I've been through plenty of both and never had a problem or noticed any peeling of the sort. That part of course comes with if its installed correctly. You do it right, nothing should peel or bubble ever.

 

[iffiamj]

what about the fading of the tint over time due to sunlight? is there a lifespan to the tints?

 

[AmiNo]

I'll be installing mine this weekend, I'll post how it goes. But it shouldn't be much different than window tint. Use a quality tint product and install it correctly and it should last for years

 

[RobbieFrazier]

what about the fading of the tint over time due to sunlight? is there a lifespan to the tints?

I have seen claims of between 3 and 9 years. Expect the low end if you don't take care of your car and the high end if you do.

 

[iffiamj]

I have seen claims of between 3 and 9 years. Expect the low end if you don't take care of your car and the high end if you do.

Thanks for the info.

How does one remove a sun damaged tint off a taillight?

My visor tint gets sun ldamaged after a few months as it is installed on the outside, and the only way I have seen to remove it is scraping it out with a sharp blade. Don't think I wanna use blades on a plastic surface unless there is an alternative?

 

[RobbieFrazier]

Thanks for the info.

How does one remove a sun damaged tint off a taillight?

My visor tint gets sun ldamaged after a few months as it is installed on the outside, and the only way I have seen to remove it is scraping it out with a sharp blade. Don't think I wanna use blades on a plastic surface unless there is an alternative?

I've never had to remove the external film, so I can't say for sure. However, I've heard and read that it just peels off. You should only need an edge to get it started. I would recommend a blunt, flexible hard plastic object (something like a credit card) instead of a sharp, rigid metallic object.

A few months is too soon to be replacing this type of product. Are you using standard window tint film, or film specifically intended for use in an exterior automotive application? Standard window tint is not designed to stand up to that that type of abuse. Also, I suspect damage from airborne sand particles may be a significant contributing factor in the UAE.

 

[iffiamj]

I've never had to remove the external film, so I can't say for sure. However, I've heard and read that it just peels off. You should only need an edge to get it started. I would recommend a blunt, flexible hard plastic object (something like a credit card) instead of a sharp, rigid metallic object.

A few months is too soon to be replacing this type of product. Are you using standard window tint film, or film specifically intended for use in an exterior automotive application? Standard window tint is not designed to stand up that that type of abuse. Also, I suspect damage from airborne sand particles may be a significant contributing factor in the UAE.

You may be right. Retailers here install cheap window tint on the outside because it's prone to sun damage and sand blasting. I guess a high quality tint would stand for longer.

However what would happen if the tint dries up and isn't peelable? Is there solvent to remove the tint in such situations

 

[RobbieFrazier]

You may be right. Retailers here install cheap window tint on the outside because it's prone to sun damage and sand blasting. I guess a high quality tint would stand for longer.

However what would happen if the tint dries up and isn't peelable? Is there solvent to remove the tint in such situations

I'd be careful with chemicals on the plastic/polycarbonate lenses. I have no experience with such an application, so I'll refrain from making a recommendation.

The film I just had installed on my lenses is manufactured by Lamin-X. It is substantially thicker (12 mil) than standard interior window film (1.5 mil). The texture is more like latex in that it is "stretchy". Whereas window tint film will dry and become brittle or flaky when cured, this style of film looks like it will remain pliable even after being weathered.

HTH

 

[Br725]

If you need to peel old shit off of a car go go Lowes or Home Depot and buy a plastic putty scraper. It's in a 7 dollar kit, and have a non metallic scraper is soooo nice once you start working with engine internals, gaskets, etc. when it dulls out, get a file or sandpaper and resharpen it.

 

[syntheticgt]

I know Lamin-X makes a great film. Just ordered the kit for my EB. I will still probably change it out after a few years but that's just me.

 

[jbailer]

I used the tint from Big Worm Graphix on the side markers and tail lights. The car is only 2 months old and I've had the tint almost the entire time. I have driven through high pressure touchless carwashes and used the high pressure hose to wash the car and have had no problem with the tint coming loose. The tint looks great too, especially on the tail lights!

 

[Dat37tho]

You may be right. Retailers here install cheap window tint on the outside because it's prone to sun damage and sand blasting. I guess a high quality tint would stand for longer.

However what would happen if the tint dries up and isn't peelable? Is there solvent to remove the tint in such situations

Most tints that I know of are a somewhat thick type of film so even if it dries up beyond salvaging, it can still be peeled off due to its thickness. Like what they said above, finding an edge, get something plastic and blunt to start the peel, and go from there.

 

[BBB]

how hard would tint be to install on tail lights for someone who has never done this kind of work?

 

[Brownw01]

I have the big worm kit on all my lights. Been through about 20 car washes so far and don't have a garage. Zero issues so far. This was my first attempt at doing any tint ever. Just takes a bit of time and patience and A LOT of water don't be shy with it. Watch the online videos you can find and ten start in. Took me around 2.5 hours. I used a hair dryer at the end as I don't have heat gun.

The videos show one with only right side tinted and then with both. They are still plenty bright in the rear.

As for headlights they are not as bright, which I miss, but it just looks so good!

It's like driving a 5 year old car worth of light instead of a brand new one.

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