Smoked xenon headlights

I still have the orange bottom '99 headlights - not my fav. I have a friend selling some of the clear bottom xenon headlights (yes, I know it will take some rewiring). Thing is, they're smoked..... Any idea how that will look on a black car?? Sometimes I imagine it will look cool and stealthy......... and sometimes I think it won't look good at all. Anybody done it or seen it?

Factory xenon is a plug and play in terms of the lights working, you'll just lose the auto leveling capabilities is all. If the lenses are smoked, they'll lose some output. In terms of looks, that will be purely subjective but dark tinted lights looks a bit ghetto to me personally. Any pics?

Personally this is darkest as I would go. This is clear lense but the inner housing painted instead, which is the preferred method as there is no degradation in the light output.

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Here is my black C2 with smoked headlights. It was not smoked too dark but since it is a black car, it looks darker blended together. I get a lot of compliments in general but personally, I don't like it. I bought the car with the headlights tinted. I believe it was painted not film. I don't know how to remove it. It is litronics. I bought another set of headlights that are clear and in good condition but it is not litronics. Thanks to Alpine for confirming that it is interchangeable (plug and play without wiring mods). Now I know I can swap it. I know it is a downgrade when I swap it but I feel that it is worth it just to get rid of the tint. If I find out how to get rid of the tint, I will let you know. I obviously prefer to keep the litronics (un-tinted/stock). Also, Alpine is correct, you loose a lot of lighting. It is always on "bright". Visibility is horrible on dim.

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You could easily remove the smoked paint on the litronics you have. Just go to a paint shop and ask for removal and a polish and clear coat put on the lights.

Here is another one. Daylight pic.

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Thanks. I'll shop around. I guess what I meant was I don't know how to remove it without costing me an arm and a leg. Lol! I went to one of the reputable shops here in DFW. They are charging me almost $600. to remove the tint and clear coat it. But they are also the best in town. (I heard).

As I am understanding, the lites have paint (smoke ) on them , I guess its not film that you can peel off. First, all you have to do is sand it off and polish them just like refinishing fogged and pitted lenses. Just sand till the paint is off and decrease paper till you can polish, just like all headlite refinishing kits work. Second, for $600 plus the $headlites, I think you can buy good headlites on ebay

The ones I'm looking at are a good deal - $400 for the pair. But over a grand with de-smoke and polish. To lose the front pumpkin.............hmmm.........

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You have to switch one wire around. Can't remember, but I think it was pin 4 and 5 have to be swapped in the connector for the hi beams to work. I did it on mine but can't remember. I could dig back and find out if someone needs the info. But anyway, not sure I would want smoked headlights, but I did this to mine...

Ok so now I have to paint the inside of my lights black. Someone post a DIY

If you pass, I'd happily take them for $400.

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Are you talking about a mk2 or mk1?

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There are three things you can do which would require less elbow grease than just sanding them off. I've ordered it starting from the least intrusive. 1. You can try cotton ***** or gauze along with acetone based nail polish remover. This may remove it if the paint isn't too thick. 2. Lightly Sand with 1k grit sand paper. Get a bunch of paper towels. Spray carb cleaner on towel and see if the paint will come off. 3. You can get aircraft gel paint remover. Leave it no longer than 3-4 min at 70deg and wipe with paper towels. You may get lucky if the paint comes off without etching your plastic. If you don't it won't etch deep enough and you should be able to do a two step polish. Worst case scenario will be starting with 800 grit on up to 1200 grit, then two step polish if the paint remover deeply etches into your plastic. At least you'll be able to skip a few grits as opposed to if you just sanded it to begin with.

Hey there Are you able to tell me about the black 996 (5-KNT-55) with the very cool headlights? What brand are these and where can I get them? They look fantastic!! Rgd's Timlin

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I'd be interested in this as well.

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Many thanks for the info. I will try that.

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Many thanks for the info. I will try that. As for my car, it is an MK1. Does that mean it's plug and play? Thanks in advance.

Hyper6, As with several other responses, I think your tinted lights look great. It is not ghetto, but instead gives a very conservative and understated look to the car -- which is much appreciated, in contrast to the often-overdone "arrows pointing to my Porsche" gimmicks. The amount of money to simply change them ain't worth it. Buy something else. But also, a matter of preference. I too would like info on how to tint.

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Thank you! I think it is a matter of preference. The car came tinted when I bought them. If you tint your headlights, in my opinion, try film first. In that way, if you decide to remove it or if you get tired of the look, it will be easy to peel it off. I am not sure the of quality of film tint though....

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Both answers can be found here: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...and-986-a.html

Tinted vinyl film for headlights 996/986. Partial cover to highlight only the transparent area of headlights and fog. Color similar to the side direction indicator lens. Designed to be cut on printer plotter, without blade and risk to damaging the acrylic of headlamp. English by Google Translate -- 2001 986 Boxster S, Black/Black/Black, Manual 2011 987.2 Boxster S, Black/Black/Black, Manual (sold) 2009 997.2 Carrera S, White/Terracota, PDK (sold) 2008 997 GT2, White/Alcantara, Manual (sold) 2008 997 Turbo, Black/Black, Manual (sold) 1996 993 Turbo, Black/Black, Manual (sold)