with tinted tail lights. These bring the color way down, creating a black-cherry-like hue that can work really well aesthetically with darker colors, especially reds. However, while it may look cool, tinting your tail lights isn’t a cut and dry affair, and there could be negative consequences.

Here's how to check if you’re legally allowed to tint, and if so, how to apply the tint, as well as how to remove the tint if you have second thoughts down the road.

And while you're at it, try

car insurance

comparison and broker app

Jerry

to find the best deal for you.

Make sure you’re legally allowed to tint your car tail lights

Show cars look amazing partly because they’re not legally allowed to drive on public roads and can be modified in extreme ways with things like a dark tint on the tail lights. While there may be no federal restrictions on tinted tail lights, every motor vehicle is subject to state laws, which do vary and may dictate the amount of light output required from your tinted taillight. The last thing you want is to be pulled over by a police officer at a red light because your tail lights don't meet the state laws.

Check your state’s vehicle code to ensure you have the legal ability to apply tint to your tail lights as there is a lot of gray area here. In

New York

, for example, no vehicle manufactured after 1952 can have rear tail lights where the red can’t be seen from 1,000 feet.

A quick internet search for your state plus the phrase "vehicle code" can pull up the legitimate details you need to determine if your tinted tail lights are legal.

Key Takeaway: Look up your state's vehicle code online to make sure it's legal to tint your lights in your part of the country.

MORE: Car Modifications that are Illegal in the U.S.

How to tint your tail lights with film

Materials needed

Heat gun or hair dryer

Knife

Microfiber cloth

Spray bottle

Squeegee

Window tint film

Just like you would with tinted windows, tinting your tail lights with film is a solid method of adding a little darkness to your ride.

Cut the film to the general shape of your lights

If you have a little extra on the edges, it’s okay as you can trim later once the film is applied.

Clean the tail lights with water

Clean the lights to ensure there is no debris. It's best to work with a clean, smooth surface.

Apply the tint film

You’ll need to act quickly to apply the film as any trapped dirt can cause bubbles and wrinkles in the film.

Smooth out the film

This is where the squeegee comes in handy as you can smooth out the film, removing any excess water and bubbles.

Apply heat

Once the film is applied, grab your heat gun or hair dryer and add the finishing touches to ensure the film is secure.

Trim the excess

Cut away the excess to match the contours of your lights.

MORE:

How to Put Reflective Tape on Cars

How to tint tail lights using a tinting spray

Materials Needed

Automotive-grade wet sanding paper

Car polish and wax

Clear coat spray

Masking Tape

Microfiber cloth

Tinting spray

Tools to remove the tail lights

Another method is to use tinting spray, such as what’s offered by the

Rust-Oleum brand

. This process is a bit more involved than using film to tint your taillight.

Remove the tail lights

The best way to spray tint tail lights is to remove them.

This will vary by car, but most are pretty straightforward:

Find the retaining bolts/screws

Remove them

Disconnect the wiring harness

Pull the entire housing away from the body of the car

Mark off the housing

Once your tail lights are removed, use the masking tape to mark off the housing (except the lens itself) and the reverse light portion.

Clean the tail lights

You should use the automotive-grade wet sanding paper and some soapy water to clean the tail light surface.

Dry it with a microfiber cloth to ensure it’s truly clean before you apply the spray.

Apply the spray

When the light is clean, you can then apply the spray.

Work in a well-ventilated area (outside, preferably) and apply the spray in long sweeps.

Let the tail lights dry for at least an hour before applying the finishing touches: sanding, clear coat, wax, and polish.

MORE:

What is frame damage on a car?

How to remove tail light tint

Materials Needed

Goo Gone

Heat gun or hair dryer

Sandpaper

If you ever want to remove the tint (whether you applied film or spray), the process is uncomplicated. (You can also remove tint from your front windows and front side windows, too.) For film, use a heat gun or hair dryer and peel the film as you heat it up. Adhesive remover, such as Goo Gone, can help the film come off a bit easier.

Remove or tape of the tail lights

Make sure to tape off the body of the car, or remove the headlights so you don’t get any paint thinner/cleaner on the body.

Sand the lights with a cleaner

For spray, use automotive-grade sandpaper (again with some Goo Gone or mineral spirits/paint thinner). Apply whatever "cleaner" you desire and use the sandpaper to clear away the spray.

Tinted tail lights or smoked tail lights can definitely add extra flair to a car, but it’s not for everyone. It’s always smart to have an "exit strategy" when modifying a car, especially if you decide to sell it.

Where to find a great deal on car insurance

No car—tinted tail lights or not—is any use without the right car insurance. To find the right rate for you, try

Jerry

After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?

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