Blacked out third brake light?

[teamitazura22]

I'm interested in getting a spoiler for my 2005 4Runner and I would prefer to get the Spoiler Depot look (no hump). However, I noticed in some of the pictures that when installed, the original third brake light is kind of visible. I'm pretty anal with this kind of stuff and would prefer not to be able to see it since it looks out of place for me.

So the question is, does anyone know where I can get a blacked out third brake light lens so that it is less noticeable? I'd hate to paint it since I'm worried that might look kind of cheap. Thanks for all your help.

 

[sketch1]

I could be wrong, but I think it is required by law that the 3rd brake light be visible on all newer model cars....but I don't know that for sure. It also might be a state by state thing.

 

[teamitazura22]

I was actually talking about the stock third brake light on the top of the hatch. If I get the spoiler, it comes with a LED brake light on the spoiler so there's no need to have the stock one. I was wondering where I can buy a blacked out lens for the stock one since I will be keeping the spoiler brake light. If anyone has any other ideas or suggestions around this, I would very much appreciate it.

 

[slimjim]

smoke out the light

you can get a smoke colored spray can at any local hardware store. what i'd do is spray it smoke, and depending on how dark you want it, you would just have to add more layers. then maybe a can of clear coat spray. just to give it shine. it'll last a pretty long time, and you can always touch it up from season to season. it won't do anything to hurt the red lens cover. clean it off with paint thinner if you're bored of it.

i'm going to do that to my third break light. put a t4r.org sticker on it. spray it smoke and clear, then pull off the sticker so that the "t4r.org" is in red, and the surrounding lens is in smoke. i think that would look pretty cool on my grey 4runner. esspecially when i stop at night and the t4r.org lights up brighter then the rest of the light. and the best part is it's removeable, if i decide i don't like it.

i'll post some pics when i'm done.

 

[teamitazura22]

Thanks slimjim. Pics would be great. FYI, I'm not the best painter. I've tried painting my RC cars and screwed up horribly. Soldering and painting have always caused me trouble. That's why I was hoping someone sold black ones. I guess I may have to go this route if no one else has any ideas.

 

[broncosi]

Thanks slimjim. Pics would be great. FYI, I'm not the best painter. I've tried painting my RC cars and screwed up horribly. Soldering and painting have always caused me trouble. That's why I was hoping someone sold black ones. I guess I may have to go this route if no one else has any ideas.

Im in sort of the same pickle : My Thread

I just purchased smoked tail lights and want a smoked third brake light but it looks like ill be painting it myself.

Also on ebay they sell covers but it lets "4Runner" shine though, im guessing you wont like that. Your best bet will to paint it black and then clear coat over it, it wont be that hard.

 

[broncosi]

i personally think this looks stupid:

 

[teamitazura22]

ewww... yeah, im not a fan of that. I guess you're right. I'll have to try and tackle this myself. Damn, I was hoping to have it done professionally. If I do it, it'll probably come out real crappy. Oh well. Thanks.

 

[trd_style]

i personally think this looks stupid:

personally i hate it too. but if anyone likes it, use black tape and cut it up. LOL. no need to buy a 20 dollar 3rd brake cover.

 

[Atomic 4Runner]

So the question is, does anyone know where I can get a blacked out third brake light lens so that it is less noticeable?

Wouldn't a piece of aluminum foil (on the inside of the lens cut to fit) do the trick?

 

[broncosi]

Re: Re: Blacked out third brake light?

Wouldn't a piece of aluminum foil (on the inside of the lens cut to fit) do the trick?

why aluminum foil? why not something thats not going to reflect the light and heat and blow the bulb? now that i think about it, even then, the outside would still be red. And i guess he could take the bulb out so it wouldnt heat up but still not exactly getting the foil part.

 

[teamitazura22]

Hehe, yeah, I'm not quite sure about the aluminum part too. If I got the spoiler, I would remove the bulb from the stock third brake light on the hatch. However, aluminum foil wouldn't help with disguising the red lens.

 

[trd_style]

make sure you tape unnecessary places you don't want paint on. and be sure not to paint in your garage. -_- other than that, when painting, spray left to right at a fast pace so the paint won't be dripping. if you know that the paint WILL drip, stop and let it dry. after that, you can paint another coat but if it's tinted texture, one coat should be enough with a clear coat.

 

[bigacuralvr]

take out the lens, and take it to a paint shop if you're that worried about it. They can match it to your cars paint, and it would look great! Also, if you take out the bulb, It would probably illuminate the brake dummy light to tell you it's out. I think....
Brett