How-To: Tint Your Headlights
 

How-To author: Korey89

Original thread: https://www.ranger-forums.com/f59/ho...dlights-97105/


Let the modding Begin!!

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Here is how to tint your headlights the right way.

First step was going to Rvinyl and ordering their headlight tint kit. For this installation I used "light smoke" film since I wanted a subtle look, but they also offer a "dark smoke", a blue, yellow, and a clear protection film. All come in the same precut pieces as the ones in this tutorial, they also have the kit for the different year trucks too. Here is a link to all their products for our trucks ranger .


Now for the installation all you need is the products from Rvinyl that are shown in the tutorial, and a heatgun (hairdryer will work) and a fresh razor blade maybe.


Attachment 115399
First thing we need is the film itself.

Attachment 115400
Here is what it looks like, everything is precut and ready to go. You can't tell in the picture but the holes for the little alignment nipples on the headlights are also cut out, the pieces just haven't been removed.

Attachment 115401
Supplies you need from Rvinyl. Squeegee with friction sleeve, Rapid Tac, and Rapid Clear.

Attachment 115402
Now that we have everything we need put the truck somewhere so that where you are working is in the shade, it makes it a little easier since the Rapid Tac wont evaporate as quickly if you work slow.

Attachment 115403
Now we need to clean the lights, the Rapid Tac works good for that.

Attachment 115404
Spray it on your lights.

Attachment 115405
Wipe it off.

Attachment 115405
Now make sure you start with your foglights as they are the easiest to do. First thing you need to do is spray them with more Rapid Tac.

Attachment 115407
Peel off the fog light film.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...dlights/10.jpg
Spray the sticky side with Rapid Tac.

Attachment 115408
Now put it on and get in centered.

Attachment 115409
Spray more Rapid Tac on the outside of it.

Attachment 115410
Now squeegee out the bubbles working from the center out.

Attachment 115411
Since the glass is convex in shape, the film will not want to be flat on it. There will be some little bubbles on the edges. Take your heat gun and carefully heat them and then work them with the squeegee, working out. The heat gun will shrink the film and it will get nice and tight and bubble free.

Attachment 115412
Next do the corners, also begin by spraying them with Rapid Tac.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...dlights/16.jpg
Peel off the correct piece of film and spray it with Rapid Tac.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...dlights/17.jpg
Stick it on the corner and then get it lined up correctly. Spray more Rapid Tac on it.

Attachment 115413
Squeegee the bubbles out and then use the heatgun to get the final bubbles out. This one is a little harder since its a little bigger and more complex in shape with more of a curve. You will see the film possibly want to wrinkle when you are squeegeeing it. DO NOT LET IT GET A WRINKLE! If it gets one, it won't fully go away even if you pull it apart. That piece of film will be ruined or you will have to live with it.

Attachment 115414
Corner done.

Attachment 115415
Next we will do the headlight. Spray it with Rapid Tac.

Attachment 115416
Peel off the headlight film and spray it too. You can see the nipples are cut out already in this picture.

Attachment 115417
Position it and spray on more Rapid Tac.

Attachment 115418
Squeegee it and then use the heat gun.

Attachment 115419
One side is done, now repeat on the other side!

Attachment 115420
Now the film won't be as shiny as you would like, so its time to use the Rapid Clear.

Attachment 115421
Spray it on, let it sit for 30 seconds and then wipe it off. The headlights will look really shiny and great!

Attachment 115422
Both sides done.

Attachment 115423
Since the film is smoked, the output color will be changed just a tiny bit. It really isn't even noticeable to the eye but the camera shows it more then you can see. In the picture both of the lights on the drivers side have the film. Actual light output didn't appear to be affected.

Attachment 115424
One more picture head on. The drivers side is the one with the film in this picture.