Q: 'Smoking' the front headlights

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:13 pm

Sounds fair to me – I hate being blinded by oncoming traffic’s HID lights so why do the same to others… ;)

I’ll definitely take a look at the Lamin-X when I get home tonight Hammer, thanks for the link (any approximation on the shipping at all?)

I’m assuming that the white lights should counter the film such that it’ll be emitting the sae amount of light onto the road?

Btw. I know it’s going a bit off topic (cause I guess my problems are now solved!), what is the model number for the bulb of the driving light? (H4?) what brand would you recommend?

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:06 pm

I’ll definitely take a look at the Lamin-X when I get home tonight Hammer, thanks for the link (any approximation on the shipping at all?)

I assume you know that tinted headlight lenses are illegal in NSW, no matter how light the tint is. However, AFAIK painting the chrome headlight surround (not the reflector) is legal. If you want to avoid registration and insurance hassles I'd be leaning toward MXHEVN's method.

If you are looking for more light you might like to take a look at a premium optimised bulb like the Phillips +50 or similar. They produce 50% more light at certain key places in the beam while using the same amount of power as the standard H4 bulb so therefore totally legal.

RG.net · Postby **RG.net** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:47 am

if your wanting a setup similar to mine, hand over your stock lights and call it a day.

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=37592

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:17 pm

I think Garry has it right. Personally I am in the chicken class. Headlamps when manufactured are leak tested before they leave the plant. If you remove lenses you run the risk of ending up with a faulty glue track which may then absorb water- headlamps breath with expanding and contracting air.
The reflectors are usually vacuum metallised and painting maybe ok but you still run the risk of reactions from the paint or thinners.
I would not paint a PC lense as you may end up with adhesion problems ( painting over a hard coat) and the top coat then exposed to the weather is not designed for that environment ie a hardcoat is a specialist product which as far as I am aware is not available on a retail basis.
Manufacturers may provide a smoky look in plastic by specifying a material already compounded to that shade. Painting is a tricky process and auto engineers have access to data and testing facilities.