View Full Version : Vinyl Tint is Out, VHT Is In!
It has been about two years since I tinted my led tails with vinyl tint. It looked good but was never quite dark enough for my liking. There was some nice weather here today so I decided to peel off the vinyl and use some VHT on the tails. IMO it looks way better now than it did before. Just got to wait for them to dry so I can finish them off with some wetsanding and polish. Maybe tomorrow if the weather is good. But even without them being done completely I think they are already better looking than the vinyl.
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp115/jason149149/b351c026.jpg
OklaHemi
03-20-2011, 03:43 PM
wow that is a lot darker teach. did you ditch the wing?
It is a lot darker. I put three coats on. The good thing is that the LEDs are bright so even in the full sunlight I can still see the tails through the VHT. I will have to go check them again after dark to see how they look at night.
I did ditch the wing. It looked cool but I bumped my head on it one time too many. Decided to sell it. I will only ever run a wing again if it is on a hard cover so it will lift out of my way. Otherwise, never again :).
AWE Daniel
03-20-2011, 04:12 PM
Looking Good
NOTPAID4
03-20-2011, 09:26 PM
That VHT looks great; however I'm not brave enuff to do it. I've seen some, who apparently did NOT know how to sand and buff to get that shine... and thought those looked horrible... and that WOULD BE the case with ME.
It is really easy to use. Even without the final sand and buff it still looks good.
BAD HABIT
03-20-2011, 09:56 PM
Looks sweet teach, I'm gonna get some new lights and tint those too, not sure if I'll have em done or diy
DIY man, it is really easy and comes out looking really nice if you take your time spraying them.
OklaHemi
03-20-2011, 10:01 PM
every time i have sprayed it it comes out dusty? or flat looking.
Did you clear them after applying the VHT?
OklaHemi
03-20-2011, 10:05 PM
yeah and i used the duplicolor maybe i need to use a better quality. matt used a 14.00 hplv gun to clear his and they looked great
03 Rammer
03-20-2011, 10:07 PM
I did this to my old tails, they came out great. I followed a how too done by "DeMonHeMi" on DT Its all in the prep and patience. ;)
@ JIM, some autobody shops and tint shops will tint them for you of course at a fee.
03 Rammer
03-20-2011, 10:08 PM
Also make sure to use the high end rubing compound I used some cheap crap and it did nothing for me. I went with some of the top of the line Meguires compound. What a difference.
OklaHemi
03-20-2011, 10:08 PM
i think with my leds being black already the vinyl will be sufficient to my liking
OklaHemi
03-20-2011, 10:09 PM
Also make sure to use the high end rubing compound I used some cheap crap and it did nothing for me. I went with some of the top of the line Meguires compound. What a difference.
i did the same with ok results and all the clear came off after about a year. i followed daniels how to as well. i must have sanded too much
i think with my leds being black already the vinyl will be sufficient to my liking
That's what I thought too since my LEDs are black, but the vinyl is just not that dark.
OklaHemi
03-20-2011, 10:10 PM
dont they have different flavors?
That is true. I think the stuff I had was 20%. Maybe going down lower would be dark enough.
Finally got around to polishing up the tails yesterday. Never even had to wetsand them, just used some fine cut polishing compound and it came out looking like glass. Really glad I ditched the vinyl and went with the VHT. Looks way better now. I will try to get some pics up of the finished product later on.
Redtruck-VA
04-25-2011, 11:44 AM
Nicely done, they look great, but somehow I don't think the local vehicle inspection station would be happy with them.
Nicely done, they look great, but somehow I don't think the local vehicle inspection station would be happy with them.
Lol, guess I'm lucky that the local inspection station is owned by my dad's friend :). I'm going to see if I can get a pic showing how nice the finish came out. Too bad this iPhone camera stinks, but I'll see what I can do.
Redtruck-VA
04-25-2011, 01:56 PM
Having a hookup is good, if I had one I wouldn't be installing cats....
Having a hookup is good, if I had one I wouldn't be installing cats....
I tried that setup too. The kids hated the smell and really, got to keep the old truck kid friendly :).
BAD HABIT
04-25-2011, 07:06 PM
cant wait to see the pics...
I'll get them soon. Working on my last week of grad classes ever this week so I don't know how soon I will be able to get them posted. Busy week this week.
Ok, here are a couple of pics I took to give you an idea of how smooth it can come out without going through the process of wetsanding. The first one is from behind and the second I just grabbed a box I had handy so you could see how smooth the finish is in the reflection.
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp115/jason149149/958a6559.jpg
http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/pp115/jason149149/d131d43d.jpg
4XLGator
05-01-2011, 05:21 PM
Geez Teach, if it weren't for the seams between the lights and the body those would completely disappear...almost do now. They look flawless. Great job.
Redtruck-VA
05-01-2011, 05:30 PM
I tried that setup too. The kids hated the smell and really, got to keep the old truck kid friendly :).
Jason, they wouldn't complain if you let them ride inside. :naughty:
Geez Teach, if it weren't for the seams between the lights and the body those would completely disappear...almost do now. They look flawless. Great job.
Thanks. I really didn't want to wetland them so I gave the meguiars 205 light cut polish a try and that is how they came out. I like the results, now I just want to go even darker :D.
Jason, they wouldn't complain if you let them ride inside. :naughty:
Lol, maybe that is why they were complaining :D.
03 Rammer
05-01-2011, 08:57 PM
Did you clear them? I would, to help perserve the shine. :)
AParrette
05-02-2011, 07:02 AM
wow, thaT is the first time i'd ever roll my eyes at your truck.
but vht? i'm sorry sir. but i will hate the day when i see the thread "VHT to real professional tinting"
wow, thaT is the first time i'd ever roll my eyes at your truck.
but vht? i'm sorry sir. but i will hate the day when i see the thread "VHT to real professional tinting"
No need to apologize. I used to feel the same way until I tried the VHT and saw the results.
AParrette
05-02-2011, 08:37 AM
i've tried vht and i've had to strip the crap off and it's a nightmare
i am actually really reluctant to try out any of their other products.
but as a rule i only use 1 person to tint anything now. ask jusjay he has my tails now.
i've tried vht and i've had to strip the crap off and it's a nightmare
i am actually really reluctant to try out any of their other products.
but as a rule i only use 1 person to tint anything now. ask jusjay he has my tails now.
That's a shame you had problems with the VHT. I personally never really had problems with the VHT or the vinyl tint I had before but just wanted to try something different. Now I will probably stick with VHT for all my light tinting needs after seeing how nice the result are.
AParrette
05-02-2011, 10:25 AM
careful with white lights, they come out purple if it's too dark
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