Another Tail Light Option

[2fst4u]

i am wondering if anyone would be interested in a cheaper alternative for custom taillights.
1. the first option would be translucent red overlays for the outside tails to get rid of the amber part. (about $40 for outside tails)
2. another option would be vinyl overlays for the inner tailights to match the car color. (price depends on color. probably around $40)
3. the third option would be tinted vinyl overlays for all taillights. this would give the appearance of smoked taillights. (about $55 for all four)

these options allow the effects to be reversed at anytime. let me know what you think. these would be a good alternative to 450 cleared lights, yet they are still custom.

here's a prototype picture.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/2168000-2168999/2168613_14_full.jpg

[ptrudel]

you copied my design!!! :P

http://www.vanducchiracing.com/forums/inde...garage_mod&id=8 (http://www.vanducchiracing.com/forums/index.php?&act=garage&CODE=14&type=garage_mod&id=8)

[2fst4u]

well.... yeah. however, it's vinyl, not paint. not permanent.

[ptrudel]

thats gonna be lotsa work to cutout the olds the same way inside vinyl...i had fun doin it on paper and cuttin 2 out at the same time to make 'em identical...

[2fst4u]

everything is done on the computer. the cost is mostly for the vinyl. the red transparent is super expensive.

[natedawg9640]

yeah... that's a super easy cut... you could make a run of those for cheap at a vinyl shop...

[wrightie]

I think it is great that we are now getting these different options for tail lights. I do however think we should compare apples to apples. the 450 I charge for the custom tails includes a FULL NEW set of tails where as im assuming you are just modifying your customers existing lights. My price is actualy 300 to do the same and im sure you would agree that throughing some vinyl on a tail light is in no way close to the amount of work as custom fabricating and handmolding the sets I produce. I dont mean to mess with your thread but if you are going to dis a mans prices I think you should understand fully what you are comparing your product to. No hard feelings though.

Wrightie

[cherrington17]

i don't think he's intentionally dissing. just saying some people don't want to pay 300 for custom tails.

and some people want custom, but not cleared....

am i making any sense? lol

[2fst4u]

thanks cherri, definately not trying to be a jerk.
these would be for people to receive the vinyls, and then transfer them onto their own taillights. that way, they can do it to a daily driver without worrying about not having taillights on that they sent away, or whatever.
you do great work on your tails wrightie, i just can't see dropping that much change on them.

[SweetNLow]

anyone can go to a local vinyl shop and have these things cut

[2fst4u]

yup, they sure can. thank you for the enlightenment.
however, they'll charge you the same as me. specialty vinyl isn't cheap.

[billah420]

I still think the best thing option is getting a pair of used tails at a junk/salvage yard off a busted alero... then paint the tails however you want.. you will always have your original set laying around if you need them..

[SweetNLow]

Originally posted by 2fst4u@Mar 30 2006, 10:28 PM
yup, they sure can. thank you for the enlightenment.
however, they'll charge you the same as me. specialty vinyl isn't cheap.
Quoted post


so y go threw you and purchase your one generic design....... if your charging the same as the vinyl shop charges dont ya think people would want there own personalized design.

[derek_ski99]

not to mention lamin-x's vinyl blend protective tints for the tailights will run you $50 with shipping included

[2fst4u]

not everyone has a vinyl shop in their backyard, or time to go to one. just like you don't have time to ship things properly or make sure you send people the right stuff.

i can do custom designs, no problem. whatever you want. it's easy. my designs were just an option.

as far as lamin-x goes, i have yet to see that in a retail store or anywhere else that you can put on your taillights to make them all red or body match the color of your car.

like i said, this would just be an option. if people are interested, great. if not, oh well.

[justinusaf]

WHERE IS THE POLL?

[pimpalero2003]

i work at a vinal shop now the stuff so easy to do if u have the right tools

[2fst4u]

exactly. the real cost comes in the vinyl. like i said, the transparent red is not cheap. and matching to body colors will be a little tough as well. as far as custom overlays, they're no problem.

[SweetNLow]

http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-Transparent-Vinyl-...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-Transparent-Vinyl-with-adhesive-24-inch-x-10-feet_W0QQitemZ7591883426QQcategoryZ46741QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

red transparent vinyl..... $18 24x10'

looks pretty cheap to me

[pimpalero2003]

vinal is freeking cheap i could get those tail for like 2 or 3 bucks for the cost of the vinal at the shop i work for

[billah420]

Well some sign shops charge higher pricess because they spent a lot of money on the machines/ lathes and computer and such. They gotta make the money back somehow... right?

So at a sign shop you're paying for a machine, computer, dude who knows how to program the computer.. and the the vinyl.. o yeah...

[2fst4u]

as far as prices go. these are just estimates. i am working with a friend who has a sign shop. the prices are from him, not me. the transparent vinyl is special order stuff, that's why it's so expensive. solid, non-metallics aren't expensive, you're right. good job on the research, tho. and yes, if you work in a vinyl shop, you can get things at a better price. however, the sign shop owner needs to make his money, too.

this topic was started to see if there was interest in a cheaper alternative to clear tails. that's it.:thumb:

[Coldfire]

What do you think of these? Pretty crazy if you ask me (not to cheap I bet ;) )

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_image...2200_4_full.jpg (http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/372000-372999/372200_4_full.jpg)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_image...2200_7_full.jpg (http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/372000-372999/372200_7_full.jpg)

Not sure if they're a member of this forum???

[DMBfan420]

that looks nice, how is it done lol

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

^ effort, patience, and fiberglass

IMO, they ruined the bumper by putting the license plate there. They should have just shaved the lights, not the plate. Looks like poo now.

[natedawg9640]

i think it looks sexy... i'm not all that fond of the shaved lights... i dunno... they shoulda molded another light in there... like the lexus has or something... the trunk looks like it's missing something...

[sound_xtreme]

i think AleroGL4 was his name on here. dunno if he's still a member or if he still has the car even.

[Coldfire]

Yeah, the more I look at them, the more it looks like dodge neon taillights. Not sure where I stand on the relocated licence plate, it looks okay, but I think I like mine better where it is

[alerocar01]

^^^ :offtopic:
anyways thats not a bad idea for some one on a small budget.

[Coldfire]

Originally posted by alerocar01@Apr 1 2006, 02:35 PM
^^^ :offtopic:
anyways thats not a bad idea for some one on a small budget.
Quoted post


good call, I apologize. I think the paint looks better, but big plus on the vinyl for being reversable