Tinting lights

Took my 4Runner to the tint shop today. While there I asked about tinting my light lenses. He said he sends everybody to the local Maaco shop where they mix clearcoat with a few drops of black paint and shoot all the light for less than $200.
First, I have never heard anything good about maaco. I have also never heard of this method of darkening the lenses.
Thoughts?
I really need to get those lenses toned down to better match my blacked out truck.

 

I had the same thing done by the body shop in a Toyota dealership I used to work in for my Tacoma in 2009. I swapped those tail lamps over to my new Tacoma in 2012. They still look perfect today. They have actually held up better than the paint on the truck. I too am looking for someone to do this for my 4Runner.

 

Not sure if this is true or not. However I’ve been told that if you get rear ended they can use the tinted lights against you.

 

I can see that if they are pretty dark. I have seen some that were black and could barely see the lights. I just want to take the edge off the silverness of the lenses.

 

All the person behind you need to say is they couldn't see the light.

Its not worth it if you ask me. Also its a judgement call on who can "see" it. So your local cop could also be having a bad day and decide to pull you over.

 

I went with different housing. Anzo black with clear lens. Plus has sequential blinker

 

Same
I did USR (unique style racing) and their turn/tail mod

 

I guess you've never heard of VHT Niteshades.

 

That’s basically what I did with mine. They are not “blacked out” I have been pulled over a couple of times for them by over-zealous cops and ticketed once. I still have them and will not get rid of them. The amount of light that is visible is still plenty bright.

 

I used the VHT Nite-Shades on the tail lamps of an F-150 I used to own. It looked o.k. but not great. It had more of a dull look to it than I preferred. Probably user error.

 

As someone that had this happen don’t. I got rear ended and even though the guy that hit me admitted fault and never said anything about couldn’t see my rear lights. Not only did I get hit with a huge ticket I got dropped by my insurance company after the office turned in his report. Granted this was about 15- 20 years ago but I highly doubt it has changed that much in the insurance world.

 

Ruiz, that looks thick. can you see brake light trough it? I did my third brake light also with Nightshade but only used 2 light coats. I turned out perfect and plenty visible light when on.

 

1st THATS WHAT SHE SAID!!!
2nd it's two lite coats on there too
Well, maybe not too too lite but yes can still see brake light

 

Also, since I'm using turn to tail the right/left brake lights are crazy bright!

 

I also ordered from USR but experienced water/condensation within 12 hours. Currently waiting to hear back from USR customer service after they requested me to send in photos. Took them off and put stock tails back.

 

Nice! I assuming no issues with water/condensation like I did with mines from USR.

 

I would put one coat of Nite-Shades to give them a classic vibe.