De-tango rear lights

[Russ59]

This is the thread with pics of my rear lights after tinting and lacquering. They still as good nearly 4 years later.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=68100

You got any pictures you can post like the close ups you took? Be interesting to see how it's looking just shy of 4 years later! Pleassee

Here ya go, just took them, cars a bit dirty though.

20180605_160508.jpg

20180605_160436.jpg

20180605_160422.jpg

Anyone close to me wanting to do this, I'll be glad to help out

Pretty sure I can see some orange coming through on those :wink: that's why I swapped mine in the end.
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Original pics were took on a dull day and the recent ones in sunshine, hence the difference.

 

[ben g]

But still orange, regardless. That's exactly how mine were aswell.

The original clear spot rear lights don't have any hint of orange to them, even in bright sunlight.

 

[ErrErrminator]

If that’s after four years though I would say they’ve done very well. I wouldn’t be too concerned at having to give them a top-up coat once a year, or even rubbing down and re-doing from scratch after three or four years.

 

[Russ59]

But still orange, regardless. That's exactly how mine were aswell.

The original clear spot rear lights don't have any hint of orange to them, even in bright sunlight.

All down to how many coats of red tint is applied I suppose, prob a few more coats would have given a denser look. While ever it gets through MOT I’m happy but I get where you’re coming from.

 

[ben g]

If that’s after four years though I would say they’ve done very well. I wouldn’t be too concerned at having to give them a top-up coat once a year, or even rubbing down and re-doing from scratch after three or four years.

Yes, definitely. Mine haven't been done for a good few years and they only started fading a little at the end of last year, so the tint does last a good while once lacquered.

 

[ErrErrminator]

Those who have done this and lacquered after tinting, did you flat the tint first, or just go straight on with the lacquer?

I gave my lights about five light coats of red tint and I'm happy with the shade. The last coat was very light, so isn't glossy in finish. It isn't really orange peely either, just a fine texture matt surface. I would have thought this would give a good key to the lacquer.

 

[ben g]

I lacquered straight over the tint spray without flatting it. The first time I did it, I think I didn't leave enough time between tint and lacquer as I got some runs.

When I re-did them, I left the tint finish to bake in my very hot conservatory for a week before applying the lacquer. The finish came out really well.

 

[Russ59]

Those who have done this and lacquered after tinting, did you flat the tint first, or just go straight on with the lacquer?

I gave my lights about five light coats of red tint and I'm happy with the shade. The last coat was very light, so isn't glossy in finish. It isn't really orange peely either, just a fine texture matt surface. I would have thought this would give a good key to the lacquer.

I went straight on with the lacquer, the red tint is a Matt finish. Keep your lights as flat as possible to avoid any runs.

 

[Russ59]

But still orange, regardless. That's exactly how mine were aswell.

The original clear spot rear lights don't have any hint of orange to them, even in bright sunlight.

I must admit, I might redo mine sometime, I’v just redone the ones you sold to Mark and you can see a slight difference in the shade.

 

[Mau]

I was inspired after seeing the rear of this one
4 sport rear lights with quad exhaust (2).jpg

Mine spends its life serving as a second reverse light with the super bright LED bulb in. It does makes a huge difference having two bright reverse lights instead of the one regular one.

Nice, “this one” in fact my car (though meanwhile admittedly I removed the Z4 badge) 8) Just curious about the two reverse lights; how did you wire that up and which bulbs did you use? Any pictures of the wiring possibly?

Many thanks!

 

[ben g]

But still orange, regardless. That's exactly how mine were aswell.

The original clear spot rear lights don't have any hint of orange to them, even in bright sunlight.

I must admit, I might redo mine sometime, I’v just redone the ones you sold to Mark and you can see a slight difference in the shade.

Oh right, nice! Did they come out ok?

 

[markplant]

But still orange, regardless. That's exactly how mine were aswell.

The original clear spot rear lights don't have any hint of orange to them, even in bright sunlight.

I must admit, I might redo mine sometime, I’v just redone the ones you sold to Mark and you can see a slight difference in the shade.

Oh right, nice! Did they come out ok?

I'll get some pics up hopefully this weekend

 

[MACK]

I was inspired after seeing the rear of this one
4 sport rear lights with quad exhaust (2).jpg

Mine spends its life serving as a second reverse light with the super bright LED bulb in. It does makes a huge difference having two bright reverse lights instead of the one regular one.

Nice, “this one” in fact my car (though meanwhile admittedly I removed the Z4 badge) 8) Just curious about the two reverse lights; how did you wire that up and which bulbs did you use? Any pictures of the wiring possibly?

Many thanks!

Hi Mau,
That's one nice looking zed you have there!
Reverse light wise I kept it simple. Reverse light wise all I do when I need extra lighting when reversing is turn the fog light on! :rofl:
I know its not ideal and i was going to wire it in properly, tagging the passenger side reverse wire to the drivers side fog light. But I couldn't figure out how to code out the fog light bulb warning (bulb warning light on the dash was coming on). I even asked Carly would they add it as a feature but basically got the brush off with "sorry we're only interested in developing stuff for F and G series cars"

 

[Scooba_Steve]

NCS to turn off the bulb checks, but reverse and fog are both required for MOT now. To keep the clear look a red LED for the fog would work well.

 

[Mau]

Hi Mau,
That's one nice looking zed you have there!
Reverse light wise I kept it simple. Reverse light wise all I do when I need extra lighting when reversing is turn the fog light on! :rofl:

Thanks mate! If I come across the proper wiring will let yoy know.

 

[DMC63]

Personally I prefer the standard lights. I find clear ones look cheaper.
Here is mine with just the reverse light tinted red.

Got to agree with you on this. Prefer the originals. Clear lights on the rear look cheap. Wouldn't tint my reverse light, it's hard enough to see where I'm reversing when there's no street lamps as it is.
But it's all down to your taste and style

 

[kis]

Reverse light wise all I do when I need extra lighting when reversing is turn the fog light on! :rofl:

This is a great idea. I’m stealing it! Lol :exitright:

 

[RedSox]

I went for the symmetrical look. Bought the lenses from Germany and added coloured LED's to keep it legal!