Rear tailight blackout kit feedback?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Rear tailight blackout kit feedback?
Any issues with using double sided tape? I was looking at getting some molded acrylic ones, but wanted to get some feedback before I placed an order. Any ones I should avoid or ones that don't sit flush on the tailights?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
I would avoid tail light covers period. No matter how anyone can justify them, it is just never a good idea. Form follows function. Brighter the better, not darker. And, they really don't look that cool. If the DOT put black covers on all the traffic signals, that would be interesting.
Last edited by REDHOTS; May 22, 2015 at 07:10 PM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 196
From: Sullivan Illinois
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
I bought the 9pc set from Vetteshop which uses tape. I figure when a bulb goes I'd cross that bridge then. I got the 4 tails and the center brake light done in a light tint, the fronts and reverse lights in the darker tint.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
I feel the same way, I just wanted you to know the options. I have had mine on for almost a year so all is well !!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I would avoid tail light covers period. No matter how anyone can justify them, it is just never a good idea. Form follows function. Brighter the better, not darker. And, they really don't look that cool. If the DOT put black covers on all the traffic signals, that would be interesting.
It's like saying "Please rear-end me and wreck my car!! Oh wait, I have light limiting devices on my rear lights that automatically makes the accident my fault and me liable for the costs of any injuries sustained by anyone involved!! Gee, I wonder if my insurance will just say "Sorry, you had illegal equipment that caused the wreck. You're on your own!!......Oh well, they look really cool!!"
What are people thinking?!?!?!?!?
DSTURBD
Last edited by DSTURBD; May 22, 2015 at 08:01 PM. Reason: Punctuation.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
It's like saying "Please rear-end me and wreck my car!! Oh wait, I have light limiting devices on my rear lights that automatically makes the accident my fault and me liable for the costs of any injuries sustained by anyone involved!! Gee, I wonder if my insurance will just say "Sorry, you had illegal equipment that caused the wreck. You're on your own!!......Oh well, they look really cool!!"
What are people thinking?!?!?!?!?
DSTURBD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
DSTURBD
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Thanks for the responses. I could be wrong, but with my car having LED tail lights I wouldn't think brightness would be an issue at night. Can anyone confirm lighting issues with blackouts at night time?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
DSTURBD
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
How is it possible that if rear ended with tinted tail lights I am automatically at fault?? Would love to see that one stand up in court. When driving you do not depend on peoples brake lights or signal lights, you drive expecting the unexpected. No one here signals but I still make my way to work and back. If I depended on brake lights to warn me about a pending stop I would not have any insurance co. insure me!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
How is it possible that if rear ended with tinted tail lights I am automatically at fault?? Would love to see that one stand up in court. When driving you do not depend on peoples brake lights or signal lights, you drive expecting the unexpected. No one here signals but I still make my way to work and back. If I depended on brake lights to warn me about a pending stop I would not have any insurance co. insure me!!!
DSTURBD
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
See what the local ordinance states. Most have some kind of verbage along the lines of "visible from 50 feet at night." I know, I have friends who are cops. As long as you meet that requirement, you are legal and thus fine should an accident happen.
Don't know if he is still doing them or not but a member/vendor here was doing tinted gelcoat on the lights a few years ago in smoke and black cherry. Those are what I have and they can't be beat,
Don't know if he is still doing them or not but a member/vendor here was doing tinted gelcoat on the lights a few years ago in smoke and black cherry. Those are what I have and they can't be beat,
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
How is it possible that if rear ended with tinted tail lights I am automatically at fault?? Would love to see that one stand up in court. When driving you do not depend on peoples brake lights or signal lights, you drive expecting the unexpected. No one here signals but I still make my way to work and back. If I depended on brake lights to warn me about a pending stop I would not have any insurance co. insure me!!!
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
Newsflash!!!!! Those people with the dirt or snow will be deemed as at fault and responsible. Even if the texter rear-ends you, with smoke covers on your rear lights, the accident is automatically your fault and you are liable. And, how will you feel the rest of your life knowing that you did it if there is loss-of-life?!?!?!? Or are you a sociopath that just doesn't give a s#it about others?!?!?! Curios minds want to know!!!
DSTURBD
DSTURBD
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
I removed mine for a few reasons, poor light output, I followed my son while he was driving the car and realized the lights were really dim in the daytime. I thought they looked cheesy, although the acrylic was about 1/16 thick you could still see the edges and that looked unfinished. I didnt have them on too long but thought that dirt would collect behind them between the light and the cover. I never changed a light bulb while they were on but it seemed it would be a real PITA to do so.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 354
Likes: 3
From: Athens TX
I would avoid tail light covers period. No matter how anyone can justify them, it is just never a good idea. Form follows function. Brighter the better, not darker. And, they really don't look that cool. If the DOT put black covers on all the traffic signals, that would be interesting.
It's a simple safety issue. You're putting other people in danger. I will agree that on many cars it looks great (especially torch red), but it's simply negligent to blackout tail lights.