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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

530.0. "TURBO LITES anyone ?" by AYOV18::MMCKINLAY () Mon Apr 03 1989 17:42

       Browsing through my local car-accessories store I noticed a product
    called "TURBO-LITES", this is some sort of laquer that you spray
    over your rear light cluster and it makes it black while still enabling
    your lights to function. Only thing is that if your rear reflectors
    are enclosed within your light cluster it prevents them from working,
    but aren't they thoughtfull, they also include additional reflectors
    which you can fit yourself.
    
       After considering what my car would look like with BLACKENED
    REAR LIGHTS I was tempted, only thing is I don't think it is extremely
    safe, according to the packaging it is perfectly legal. Has anyone/or
    does anyone know of someone who has used this laquer and is prepared
    to critisize ?
    
    
    Mark (who_you_may_not_see_in_the_dark_in_the_near_future_:-) )
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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530.2VOGON::ATWALDreams, they complicate my lifeWed Feb 21 1990 20:413
does anyone know if blackening tail lights like this is legal ?

...Art.
530.3SWEEP::ALFORDFantasy is the reality of life...Wed Feb 21 1990 21:298
    
    ...well (I think it's) the passat has plastic the same colour as the
    bodywork completely covering the tail light cluster, so the lights are
    only visible when they are on...
    
    they let that one into the country, so it can't be too illegal.
    
    I don't know how they resolve the reflector problem though...
530.4read recently (?)SWEEP::GALVINSteven GALVIN @BST, DTN: 781-4393:-)Thu Feb 22 1990 13:2311
With regards to legality of blackened tail-lights, I think I read recently 
( maybe in this notesfile, or even 'Auto Express' ) that it is legal to blacken
the lights but the reflectors must remain as they are, or if these are blackened
then new reflectors have to be fitted elsewhere on the rear of the car.

Anyway this is only my thoughts on the matter, I am not certain, and as such
please do not take my word as gospel.

Regards

Steven
530.5VOGON::ATWALDreams, they complicate my lifeThu Feb 22 1990 13:3611
talked to an ex-police driving instructor last night & he said that if the
lights had a BSI kite mark then they were perfectly legal.

otherwise (painted lights) they are legal as long as the red light shines thru
as red.

do Quattro's have extra rear reflectors (they have black rear light as standard)?

???

...art.
530.6DUCK::TAYLORGBodybuilders do it till it hurtsThu Feb 22 1990 15:594
    Well the Jaguar XJ6 has blacked out rear lights plus the reflectors
    are mounted in the rear bumper.
    
    Grant
530.7European type approval rules these daysJANUS::BARKERJeremy Barker - Reading, EnglandFri Feb 23 1990 22:3911
Re: .5

> talked to an ex-police driving instructor last night & he said that if the
> lights had a BSI kite mark then they were perfectly legal.

These days they have to have the European type approval symbol, which is a
circle containing the letter E and a number.  It is *illegal* to modify any
light from what was type approved.  Only having the BSI kitemark is OK if
the lights predate european type approval testing. 

jb
530.8Looks good, but not good!!SUBURB::PARTRIDGESStefan PartridgeMon Apr 19 1993 14:4913
    I have down this mod to my Mk1 Golf GTI. I decided to only cover the
    top half of my lights, e.g. indicators,driving lights and half fog, so
    you can still see the fog lights clearly. It looked realy good until I
    went for my M.O.Y two months later and failed, on the lights being
    "dim". You can remove the stuff using celliouse thinner, but beware. It
    burns the skin. Also you have to use some elbow grease.
    
    If you still want to do this then, do so. But when the m.o.t comes up,
    by some offer light covers to put on just incase.
    
    
    Stefan