Covering up 3rd brake lamp

T1snwbrdr12 · February 10, 2018

I’m just a guy looking to get his car tinted but wanted to ask your guys opinion on covering the third brake lamp up when getting the back glass tinted. I have a new Mazda 6. On my old Accord it was tinted over (but I also had a spoiler brake lamp so the lamp in the glass was inoperative).

When I see cars with aftermarket tint and the film is cut around the 3rd brake lamp, to me it just screams aftermarket. In my head covering up the 3rd lamp would look more factory and clean but I’m having trouble finding any pictures or anything to make me know that’s the right choice to make.

What’s your guys opinions on this?

thanks.

no ma'am · February 10, 2018

I prefer to cover, though some states laws don't allow it.

jh812 · February 10, 2018

Cover them up here as well. Very few do I got out for.

CaliTINT · February 10, 2018

I prefer to cover them up as well (it's legal to do in my state), when possible. It just looks cleaner.

There are some vehicles that can't be done, few that are PITA to do, and some that are easy.

DynamicATL · February 10, 2018

100% cover it up...I have never seen a vehicle with the 3rd brake light cutout that looked good. Some states it is illegal, but I would still do it in those states. Also when shopping around, if the shop uses a plotter to cut the tint, ask them about of it. I see most of the jobs with the 3rd brake light cutout coming from plotter shops.

T1snwbrdr12 · February 10, 2018

They use a plotter but they checked and they have the option to cut around or cover it up. They’re pretty highly reviewed and been around awhile. I’ve used them with no complaints once before. Husband and wife team so quality of work is consistent and good.

Thanks for your opinions, certainly reinforces my thought.

Jake · February 10, 2018

12 hours ago, DynamicATL said:

100% cover it up...I have never seen a vehicle with the 3rd brake light cutout that looked good. Some states it is illegal, but I would still do it in those states. Also when shopping around, if the shop uses a plotter to cut the tint, ask them about of it. I see most of the jobs with the 3rd brake light cutout coming from plotter shops.

You say you would still cover them. But in a state like Utah where have have had a annual inspection you would be redoing quit a few back window from inspection failure.As of Jan 1st of this year we not longer have a safety inspection. It is still the law though. But with out the inspection to worry about I have not cut one out since. Hope it doesn’t bite me in the ass.

DynamicATL · February 10, 2018

6 minutes ago, Jake said:

You say you would still cover them. But in a state like Utah where have have had a annual inspection you would be redoing quit a few back window from inspection failure.As of Jan 1st of this year we not longer have a safety inspection. It is still the law though. But with out the inspection to worry about I have not cut one out since. Hope it doesn’t bite me in the ass.

Yeah, if it is part of inspection I would give the customer the option letting them know the possibility of having to redo it. Luckily GA does not have these inspections I honestly don't think I would live in a state that did...can't do a double license plate state either. Need my front end clean. :lol

ErieTint · February 10, 2018

So far I have not had anyone ask to cut around it nor have I cut around any that had the 3rd brake light in the window.

I think it looks much cleaner to tint the whole window.

Ohio doesn't have a law on it so we don't see too many rolling around here with them cutout, most windows are fully tinted.

poppawilly67 · February 10, 2018

i agree it looks cleaner when you dont cut out for the 3rd brake light. but in some states, it is illegal to cover the brake light. so if a car comes in my shop for tint, if the film is 20% or lighter, i dont cut out for it. if they want dark film, i will cut out for brake light. in my state, it is not illegal to cover the brake light.