If you are looking for a simple way to change the appearance of your car, you might be wondering how to tint headlights. Your automotive headlights aren’t difficult to tint, as long as you follow some simple steps. Not only will we outline the ways to upgrade the appearance, but we will also touch on how to remove headlight tint in case you change your mind later.
Once you know how to put tint on car headlights, you start thinking about all of the benefits this simple task achieves. Aside from giving your vehicle a fresh, refined look, it can also offer protection. With another layer on the headlights, there is more resistance to scratches, damage, and dents that would otherwise occur from rocks and road debris.
Additionally, the tint creates a misty, foggy appearance that gives the lenses some more protection from UV rays. If your headlights have already received damage, the tint might be an easy way to cover it up. You can use tint over-top of some small cracks, scratches, and indentations to hide them.
Are Tinted Headlights Legal?
Can you get pulled over for smoked tail lights? Headlight laws vary by state, so you need to determine what’s allowed in your region. Some states don’t have laws regarding tinted headlights at all, so modifying must be done at your own risk.
Other states might specify what color the beam must be and how far the illumination must reach, making some tinting products illegal. To be safe, you should always look into your local rules before modifying the factory or aftermarket headlights.
How To Tint Headlights: A Detailed DIY Guide
Things You’ll Need
Before getting started with any method, you want to clean the headlights. Gather these supplies.
From here, the supplies you need depend on what method you choose. If you want to learn how to apply vinyl headlight tint, you will need these supplies.
If you want to learn how to tint headlights with spray, you will need these supplies.
Tint Headlights with Spray
You can learn how to tint headlights with VHT without any experience. Just follow these steps.
- 1Dismount the assembly.
- 2Clean the lenses.
- 3Read all of the product’s instructions.
- 4Prep your headlight assembly with masking tape.
- 5Spray the first lens with a thin coat, waiting between coats until the surface is dry. Do the same with the second lens.
- 6Apply a clear coat.
- 7Allow the headlights to dry at least 12 hours before removing the tape.
- 8Reinstall your headlight assembly and test.
Applying Vinyl Headlight Tint Film
If you would rather apply a headlight tint film, follow these steps.
- 1Dismount the assembly.
- 2Clean the lenses.
- 3Read all of the product’s instructions.
- 4Remove the tint backing and mist your headlight lens with water.
- 5Carefully align the tint film with the lens.
- 6Use your squeegee to remove excess water and air.
- 7With heat, you can smooth out any challenging spots and curved areas.
- 8Trim the excess tint and allow the film to cure.
- 9Reinstall the headlight assembly and test.
Headlight Covers: An Alternative To Tinting
If you don’t want to apply tint vinyl or spray, you might prefer a headlight cover instead. However, you will need to check local laws regarding these products as well. If they are legal in your area, follow these tinted headlight cover installation tips.
- 1Read the instructions.
- 2Clean the headlight surface with a microfiber cloth.
- 3Using the adhesive that comes with your covers, attach the new cover to your headlight assembly. You want to have the lights on for this to ensure an adequate beam.
- 4Once you are happy with the position, allow the covers to cure completely.
How To Remove Headlight Tint
Do you know how to get spray tint off your headlights? When you first research how to remove headlight spray tint, it might seem daunting, but you don't need to be overwhelmed. Sure, it's more difficult than simply removing the vinyl tint that has been applied, but you can follow these steps.
- 1Pull on the corner to ensure it isn’t vinyl. If it is, you should be able to pull it off or scrape it.
- 2For a spray, you will need to use acetone and a sponge to clean off the tint.
- 3In the worst cases, you might need to replace the headlight assembly, especially if the tint has been baked on from years of sitting in the sun.
Here’s a helpful YouTube video illustrating how to remove headlight tint spray.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Does tinting headlights reduce light?
Yes, but by how much depends on the color of the tint. With a light tint film, you might not notice any difference.
How much does it cost to get your headlights tinted?
If you don’t want to do it yourself, you might wonder how much does it cost to tint your headlights? Most shops are going to charge between $50 to $200 per lens, depending on the shape of the headlight and the method you choose to use.
Do smoked headlights reduce visibility?
The smoked headlights will reduce some of the light beam, but nothing like blacking out the headlights.
What are the drawbacks of tinting headlights?
In some areas, it is actually illegal, so you could get pulled over. Additionally, tinting film will reduce visibility and can be difficult to remove.
How to make tinted headlights brighter?
You could change out the bulb for more illumination. The differences between LED vs. halogen headlight bulbs are quite significant.
How can I darken my headlights?
The fastest way to darken the headlights is with a tinting spray or vinyl product.
How to tint headlights yellow?
You can change the color of your headlights to look yellow with special sprays and vinyl tint.
Conclusion
If you are ready to tint your headlights for a more aggressive vehicle appearance, our steps should help you get the job done. Prepare yourself with the appropriate supplies and get started today.