smoking taillights: How does it hold up over time

[Fatalifeaten]

This isn't specifically a Stinger-only question but I know we've got some folks who have done this or are in the trade and do it for money, so figured I'd ask experts.

I've seen the videos online about applying what looks like either a smoke film wrap or maybe even just window tint to get the smoked lens look for taillights and marker lights. How's it hold up over time? Particularly in hot and arid climates like we see in AZ? My experience in general with vinyls here is that they dry rot in 3-5 years depending on the vinyl used and start flaking off. Same timeframe for the stuff used on lenses? How does the material hols up to things like car washes? (manually or drive-through). Shorten the lifespan?

Thanks in advance for any info y'all can provide.

 

[FokalPoint]

I had my FR-S headlights and taillights tinted with vinyl and it held up well in Las Vegas. I had it on the lights for about a year before removing and when I removed it myself the film was still very stretchy and seemed to be like new. It was actually a huge pain to remove because I did it in winter like an idiot so no desert sun to really heat it up haha.

Outside of that I have had several cars that I smoked the lights out myself using VHT Niteshades which can be purchased at any autoparts store. It's a spray can method of tinting that with proper application can look as good as taking it to someone and having them tint/smoke using a diluted solution of clearcoat and black tint/paint. A couple light coats followed by medium-heavy coats to finish and it's got a super highgloss finish. Any mess ups can be wet sanded and then polished for an even glossier finish.