Lamin-x and Light Output??

[audicribb]

I have searched and searched but wanted to get a definitive answer about how bad does it affect light output?? I only want to use the "tint" not the really dark "gunsmoke" film. Pictures would great! I need a remedy for my lights and want to spend $40 rather than close to $300 for Depo headlights, if the tint doesn't reduce light output that bad. Thanks guys!

[TMatthews]

Although not to the point of being dangerous, the tint does noticeably limit light output. It's going be hard to tell from pictures because the lights either wash the photo out or the camera corrects and makes them look much darker than usual. If you have HIDs it won't be as bad.

[audicribb]

I do have HIDs but am worried of losing a lot of output. I guess I am just scared that I will not be able to get the Depo's aimed correctly. The beam pattern and cutoff now is great on my stock lights.

[FNK]

Your bulb emit the whole spectrum of light (white) while the laminix limit the spectrum, let's say you want a hint of blue. The polymer will allow less red and yellow to pass true, therefore a blue look. I'd say you can have such result by allowing 90% of yellow, 95% Red, 100% blue. (0.9 X 0.95 X 1.0 = 0.855, so 85,5% the available light output). This is not actual numbers, it's only a rough guess but the logic is about right.

Edit:
http://www.modbargains.com/images/Products/LaminX/smoke.jpg

[seanj130]

If you get a film that is 35% VLT, you will only see 35% or the light that is emitted...

Best,
Sean.

[audicribb]

The tint lamin-x says 7% tint, so I guess 93% light output would come through? It also says lamin-x is optically transparent.

[docurley]

I did mine with OEM Xenons and yes it did loose some of its brightness but it was still way better than stock lights.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/docurley/Audi%20Project/Blackheadlights.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/docurley/Audi%20Project/blackheadlights2.jpg

Lights Off
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/docurley/Audi%20Project/blackheadlights3.jpg

Lights on

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/docurley/Audi%20Project/blackheadlights4.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y224/docurley/Audi%20Project/Blackheadlights-1.jpg

I used this company http://www.decalfx.com/applying_lens_film.html

[Mr. Merk]

^that is way darker than the lamin-x "tint"

i have the tint on both our cars & on my fogs

[westie180]

I need a remedy for my lights and want to spend $40 rather than close to $300 for Depo headlights, if the tint doesn't reduce light output that bad.
is this to remedy sandblasting of the lenses? if that's the case, you can always just wetsand and polish your lenses to make them clear again. you'll want to do this anyway to apply any sort of film, otherwise it will still look bad.

now if you're really worried about output, but still want a tint, you could always crack the lights open and use paint like what's available for tail light lenses to make the chrome a few shades darker. the high beam will lose output unless you tape it off, but the low beam will be completely unaffected, assuming you cover or remove the projector.