XK / XKR ( X150 ) 2006 - 2014

Tinted rear lens and brake light

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  #1  
Old 04-23-2016, 05:38 PM
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Default Tinted rear lens and brake light

As you guys a well aware of, i like to do a bit of modifications. My latest thought was to tint the rear lens and brake light. Took me all of just 1hr. I did it with my trusty plastidip. Cleaned the lens and brake light, i also have a F1 style lower brake light that flashes leds when braking, quite nice. I did the side indicators as well. Then masked the areas i was doing. The trick is to do 1 coat of the dip on the lens, just enough to see the lens like a transparent look, but keep the coat the same on each lens. When dried it gets 4 coats of glossifier. This needs to be a good coating to leave a shiny lens look. Care has to be taken doing this as the glossifier may run if applied to heavy, had to do the spoiler brake light 3 times before i got it right. Then let everything dry and remove the tape and excess film around the lens, it just etches round the lenses. It took 1/2 a tin of black and 3/4 of glossifier to do the lenses, spoiler light, lower light and side indicators.

I think it looks well , as you can see the park light are on in the first picture and it was a bright day. The spoiler light shows the leds off better to. The car looks better IMO with the red lenses gone. What do you think guys, yes or no. Anyway i love it so that's all matter, but comments great to read.

Great thing is removal is simply.

By the way the R-S badge i got an e-bay along with a front one,an impulse buy as i never saw them for sale, so stuck it on. I have changed the XK badge for the updated one, which looks better.
 
Attached Thumbnails Tinted rear lens and brake light-night.jpg   Tinted rear lens and brake light-night2.jpg  
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Old 04-23-2016, 07:22 PM
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I like it.
 
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Old 04-23-2016, 09:03 PM
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A week ago I put some 10% headlight-specific film on my headlights, it made a BIG difference. Now the headlights don't look nearly out of place. Now I'm seriously considering putting the same thing on my tail lights. 10% is barely noticeable with the lights on, but like powerhouse's, it sure does subdue the bright-work during the day. Not as MUCH, however, just a hint.
Black Light Smoke Headlight Taillight Tint Vinyl Film Sheet Sticker 12"X72" | eBay
 
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Old 04-23-2016, 09:20 PM
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powerhouse,

First of all, it's your car to enjoy as you like. But since you asked for comments...

I don't like the blacked out inboard round light. The X150 body is a modern interpretation of the original Series 1 E-Type, which had a an iconic tail light design with a round inboard light. To black out that round inboard light is to lose the connection to the E-Type. Similarly, the R-S badge causes your cat to have an identity crisis - why be a poser? Your car looks great with the mods you've already done, but IMHO the completely blacked out tail lights and R-S badge detract from that look. If you want to mod the tail lights, add the LED lights from the 5.0L models. To me, that improves the appearance and functionality.



Stuart
 
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Old 04-24-2016, 01:16 AM
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You asked...

I'm with Stuart, LOVE your car not fond of the concept or look at the work done on the taillights. For the life of me I'll never comprehend why someone would want to somehow lessen taillights, hiding them purely for supposed "looks"... I much rather make those things as obnoxiously bright and irritating as possible in hopes of them not running into me. Form (not seeing it as an upgrade) versus function (making them less bright) seems like a lose/lose. Later LED's are an improvement, Aston tail lights look incredible, DIY darkening looks "boy-racer" expected on a Civic, 240SZ/300Z or Supra
 
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Old 04-24-2016, 04:16 AM
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great comments guys, some positive and negative, thats what a forum is for. Anyway i like it now so if i get tired of the look it's a 5 minute change.
 
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Old 04-24-2016, 07:00 AM
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I think it looks cool until you turn on the lights/brakes. Then the tint makes the lights hard to see during the day. I know in some states over here it is illegal to "cover" the lights on the cars. It would be nice if there were a method electrically to turn the lens dark and when you hit the brakes or turn on the lights the tint turns back to normal. The opposite of a transition lens in glasses. I think I've seen windows that go dark with an electrical charge so that would be the best trick but most likely expensive.
 
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Old 04-24-2016, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by jagtoes
I think it looks cool until you turn on the lights/brakes. Then the tint makes the lights hard to see during the day. I know in some states over here it is illegal to "cover" the lights on the cars. It would be nice if there were a method electrically to turn the lens dark and when you hit the brakes or turn on the lights the tint turns back to normal. The opposite of a transition lens in glasses. I think I've seen windows that go dark with an electrical charge so that would be the best trick but most likely expensive.
That's why I will try 10%. Barely noticeable, and if too dark it comes right off.
 
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Old 04-24-2016, 01:43 PM
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I like the dark lens, I wouldn't do it to my car but I have seen them around town on low to high end cars and they can look great with a dark car. You could go with the complete murdered look and black out the chrome also and it would look pretty nice also. An all black sports car is never out of style.

I do not like the R-S badge, I have always said this before, it is your car so do as you wish, but if it isn't really an R-S it shouldn't have the badge!
 
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Old 04-24-2016, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by tampamark
I like the dark lens, I wouldn't do it to my car but I have seen them around town on low to high end cars and they can look great with a dark car. You could go with the complete murdered look and black out the chrome also and it would look pretty nice also. An all black sports car is never out of style.

I do not like the R-S badge, I have always said this before, it is your car so do as you wish, but if it isn't really an R-S it shouldn't have the badge!
Thanks tampamark, as i said i got the badges from a dealer site at a good price. I was going to take the S of and have the modern R, but just left it on. There is no RS models in Ireland, none one ever sold. One on my bucketlist someday, ultimately i would love the RS GT
 
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Old 04-24-2016, 09:17 PM
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I have 10% on my rear spoiler brake light and I really like the look.



 
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Old 04-24-2016, 09:30 PM
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I put some leftover 10% on part of my left taillight just to see what it'd do.... I really like the look. Going to order some more film right now!
 
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Old 04-26-2016, 05:39 PM
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I don't want to hijack the thread but I am wondering about the chrome Jaguar badge between the tail lights. Mine is painted but I really like the chrome version. Is it OEM or after market and where can I get one.
 
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Old 04-27-2016, 12:00 PM
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OEM. You'll have to peruse the interwebz and find a shiny one for sale.
 
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Old 04-27-2016, 12:02 PM
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Maybe a previous owner painted over yours? I can't recall seeing a non-chrome one ever, in person OR in picture.
 
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Old 04-27-2016, 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by JackJohn
I don't want to hijack the thread but I am wondering about the chrome Jaguar badge between the tail lights. Mine is painted but I really like the chrome version. Is it OEM or after market and where can I get one.
Is this what you want:

152060523746 | eBay
 
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Old 04-27-2016, 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by powerhouse
Is this what you want:

152060523746 | eBay
Your link is dead.
 
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Old 04-27-2016, 06:17 PM
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The leaper on the trunk replaced the word Jaguar on the chrome trim for 2012 and later xks. So in answer to your question the leaper is both OEM and after market.
 
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Old 04-27-2016, 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Cee Jay
Your link is dead.
AH ****,
 
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Old 04-27-2016, 07:45 PM
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The link works fine for me.
 


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