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Tinted tail lights, also called smoked tail lights, is the current trend of applying dark tint film to tail lights so that they have a rich jet-black lense rather than the traditional red or clear lenses installed by vehicle manufacturers. As such, they provide a vehicle with a sleek smoky-eye look. Smoked tail lights reduce the brake light output which results in a black-cherry-like glow rather than a stark red light. Smoked taillights are a trend enjoyed by car enthusiasts of all types, but seem to be most popular on high-end luxury sports cars, where it enhances the “WOW”-factor that many people desire in a car. It’s definitely a more aggressive look than red stock lights.
Installing car light tints can give your vehicle an exclusive appearance without a big price tag. In today’s post, the tint experts at Brentwood’s Jet Black Tint and Glass offer some pros and cons of tinting your taillights to help you decide if it’s the next best upgrade for your ride.
At Jet Black Tint, we can tint your entire car, no matter the make or model. Paired with paint protection or full car wrap, you’ve got a unique look on a completely custom car. To learn more about all of our services or book your modification appointment, visit us online or stop by your Brentwood JBT location today.
As with anything, there are some pros and cons to weigh before scheduling your taillight tinting appointment at your Brentwood Bet Black Tint and Glass location. First, let’s take a look at the downside of smoked taillights.
Reduced Visibility
Too dark of tint film may cause reduced visibility for you while driving or other vehicles’ ability to see you. For this reason, it’s important to err on the side of subtle.
Style
As mentioned earlier, style is the main benefit of having smoked tail lights. Unfortunately, style is also very easily flopped. Adding smoked taillights to a busted ride will not enhance the appearance of the car at all, and in some cases can look downright ridiculous. For instance, if you bring your mom’s old station wagon for taillight tinting when it still has the wooden running boards and exaggerated chrome trim, you’re wasting money, and style points are deducted.
Legality
For street cars, fully blacked-out tail lights are illegal no matter which state you’re driving in. This is for the safety of you and other drivers where fully blacked-out tail or headlights significantly reduce visibility and can easily lead to motor crashes. The only cars that can have blacked-out tail lights are those that aren’t driven on public roads like race cars. In all states, taillights must be red even if there is tint film applied. Reflective lights must not be covered at all. There are only six states where applying tint to taillights is completely illegal and California is not one of them!
Further Considerations
Poor-quality installation of a good film is an easy way to destroy the curb appeal of your ride and waste your money. Before making an appointment with a professional car tinting shop, make sure they are legit and have plenty of experience. In Brentwood, California, the tint shop you can trust is Jet Black Tint and Glass. We’ve been tinting windows and taillights in the Bay Area for years and have thousands of satisfied customers from our 16 top-rated locations.
Now that we’ve identified the drawbacks, let’s take a look at some of the upsides of tinting your taillights.
Vehicle Protection
Tint film offers a protective layer like a second skin wherever it’s applied and will take the brunt of the trauma from damages, scratches, chips, or road debris. Tint film reduces the risk of lights becoming yellow, filthy, and toneless caused by exposure to dirt and harmful UV rays. Making a small investment in tint film, your car will look newer and longer and you’ll incur fewer repair fees over its lifetime.
Style
The main reason that car owners opt for smoked tail lights is style. You’ve got the ability to choose the color, shade, and the design of film that go with your style. Whatever your taste is or what statement you’re trying to make with your car, you can create an aire of mystery, let others know you’re aggressive at first look, or present a confident, sophisticated look, easily. Upgrade your car’s aesthetic and be a trendsetter with smoked taillights.
Car Culture Expression
For many car owners, their vehicles are as vital to their daily lives as the food they eat. And, for car enthusiasts, it’s as essential as the air they breathe. In California, the car culture is as diverse as the populations that melt into our giant pot. From hot sports cars, luxury exotic cars, hot rods, low riders, and everything in between, how your car looks goes far beyond style but is also your expression of car culture. Don’t let stock headlights and taillights gain you entry to the wrong crowd. Make your car an expression of you rather than you being a representation of your car’s manufacturer.
Inexpensive Upgrade
When it comes to vehicle modifications, the price tag can easily get away from you. With expensive options that offer a total overhaul on your vehicle, it may seem like the only option to enhance your car is dropping all your cash. Smoked taillights are a subtle, yet very effective upgrade that carries one of the smallest bills (and the quickest installation times) in the industry.
At Jet Black Tint and Glass in Brentwood, we offer light tint installation as a stand-alone car modification service or in conjunction with other upgrades including paint protection film (PPF) or car wrap, window tinting, chrome delete, and more. When you bring your car to our team, we’ll create a design plan to customize your car within your budget. Learn more about all of our aesthetic services and book your appointment online today.