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I've been receiving so many positive comments about my painted and smoked headlights, I want everyone to know about the BIG downside to doing this modification. I don't want to influence anyone into doing a mod that they might regret later.
First of all, painting the inserts will mess up your beam pattern! You will no longer have that nice, sharp line, like the stock pattern. Painting the headlight inserts causes some kind of reflection, which will give you a "shadow" pattern (that is why the OEM inserts are flat black). It's almost like 2 patterns superimposed on each other, and is definitely NOT as effective, or attractive, as the stock pattern.
IMO, it is VERY risky to install the smoke-colored diffusers. The color of the diffusers makes it obvious to the police that the headlights are modified, as there is no car that comes from the factory with "smoke-colored" diffusers.
If you get a fix-it ticket for the modified headlights, the only way to fix the ticket will be to buy and install OEM headlights!!!
Many cars now come stock with "clear" diffusers, so those shouldn't be a problem. You can always put in an amber bulb for the legal look.
I love the way the headlights look now, but I am definitely nervous about getting popped by the man. I'm also really asking for trouble by not using a front license plate. I'm sure it is just a matter of time....
that looks clean, but i think your modifications will not increase the risk of you being pulled over by a cop. just the fact that our have HID's that have flashing characteristics will be enough to attract unwanted attention. i have been pulled over for our hid's many times, its pretty sad how ignorant some cops can be.
just look at it this way, if the paint on the housing is making the focus of the beam less sharp it will lessen the flashing look made by the sharp pattern of the light. maybe thats a better thing.
I don't know if I'd be too worried about smoked. Particularly, with the standard flat black headlights (maybe with silverstone painted lights it draws attention to it). I see lots of Audi TT's and Golfs with smoked headlights these days.
Sounds like light is reflecting off the inside of the clear lens, onto the painted piece, then back out into the world. A possible solution might be to paint the inside of the clear lens with some form of anti-glare coating, such as that seen on the more expensive picture frame glass.
Originally posted by Kodokan_4 It's almost like 2 patterns superimposed on each other, and is definitely NOT as effective, or attractive, as the stock pattern.
Pete,
Are you saying that painting the inserts actually causes the HID's light to appear "dimmer" in some way or just changes the way the light pattern is reflected?
Maybe it's worth it. 
