How to tint plastic?

[Skunksmash]

My digital water gauge that I bought to replace the factory one in my 87 is too bright. It seems that regular glass tint will not tint the lens. As per the glass shop. So how could I give a fairly heavy tint to that one spot on the gauge lens? I took off that clear plastic lens that covers all the gauges in the whole gauge cluster.

So I just want to put a little bit of tint on that one portion of the gauge lens that goes over the water temp gauge. That way I don't have to tint the whole thing. Seeing as how the other gauges just don't need it. How do I go about tinting it?

[andrewmp6]

They sell a spray on tint for tail lights called vht nite-shades that would probably work for you.Just remember the more coats the darker it gets so do a few and see if you like it if not add more.

[Skunksmash]

Ok ill try that. Seems like there really isn't some kind of sticker like I wanted.

[C-10 simplex]

1) brand of gauge?

2) is it too bright during the day or night or both?

3) Was it wired to dim when the lights are turned on?

[kalbert]

You could use a scrap of tint film like what can be used to tint windows, etc. Just about every Walmart has 3-4 different shades of tint in the accessories aisle. It can generally be removed with some water and finesse if you decide you don't like it or get dirt and air under it.

[Skunksmash]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

1) brand of gauge?

2) is it too bright during the day or night or both?

3) Was it wired to dim when the lights are turned on?

Its the lens ill be tinting not the gauge.

Ill use the spray and report back the results.

[Skunksmash]

Although, something else occurs to me. That spray isn't going to have a haze to it, is it? I don't really want the digital gauge to look blurry behind the lens once I've sprayed it. Those headlights and tail lights always look just a little... blurry.

[bk2life]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

It seems that regular glass tint will not tint the lens. As per the glass shop.

per the glass shop that has no clue what you are tryin to do..

get a piece of window tint and put it on your lens.

dont use the spray stuff, its horrible, absolute terrible product.

[GCncsuHD]

The VHT will look fuzzy, but it will not affect the legibility of the digital numerals because of their proximity to the gauge. I don't recommend it though, as it will leave behind a matte ugly finish, unless you buff and polish it. Too much work, and you have permanently changed the gauge.

Is the lighting for the gauge on a separate circuit, where you could use a resistor to dim the lighting?

Also, go find a sign shop that makes vinyl decals, you can purchase transparent vinyl in varying darknesses. Otherwise, look up Lamin X, they specialize in tinted vinyl for tinting plastic headlights/tails etc. You could order some and cut it down to fit your application.

[Skunksmash]

Again I am not tinting the gauge itself. The plastic lens that covers ALL the gauges is what I'm tinting. Its digital and all components are integrated and as such there is no way to dim the gauge electronically.

It came with some sorry dim function but its only got two settings. Really really bright, and still too bright. So I'm tinting the lens that will go over it. If you're familiar with the gauge clusters in the square bodies you'll know that it shouldn't be too hard a task at all, if you can only find some kind of tint that will stick to the plastic.

I have a ton of sign shops in my town, I'll visit a few of them and see what they have to say.

EDIT:


https://www.lamin-x.com/Small-4x8-Un...vers-s/998.htm

Found the LaminX sheets sold for $7 in 4"x8" sheets. Perfect for what I need. I'll try that first. And report back my findings on how well it works in case anyone else wants to tint anything.

[N2TRUX]

The glass shop is wrong. Auto style window tint "will" adhere to plastic just fine.

[Skunksmash]

They're probly just no good at it. Or something. They said they won't do it cause every time they've tried to make it work they had to give money back cause it kept coming off.

[N2TRUX]

Many years ago I tinted a piece of scrap Lexan with window tint as a test piece. Later I needed the Lexan and tried to remove the tint. It adhered so well I was pulling the tint off in tiny strips, and finally gave up. Trust me, window tint will stick to plastic.

[Billett]

Vht actually works really well. Its just like painting anything else. Prep and patience are key. In essence its spray paint. Would you paint a car, not sand it and expect it to come out smooth? Use some high grit sand paper on it after you spray and then clear coat it


However, for this application I wouldn't suggest it
Normal auto tint should work fine.
Posted via Mobile Device

[kalbert]

Yea regular window tint film will stick to just about anything. It's just a big sticker really, thin dark plastic with glue on one side. Like a big giant piece of scotch tape. I'm sure it will stick to your gauge face. As for durability, it's not like it's going to be stuck on your cell phone and slid in and out of pockets and stuff, and I doubt you're going to be picking at it. Pretty sure it'll stay stuck fine. If it does fall off you're not really out anything and you'll be wiser.

[Skunksmash]

Well I'm pretty sure that's what the laminX is. Just a small piece of tint. Ordered that I'll post results.