While not being as inexpensive as covers and tallight film, we do offer a taillight lense smoking service. Go here for the pricing:
http://www.cleancutcreations.com/catalogpage3.html
These lenses were smoked using our process. This is done with a transparent (candy) black, clearcoated, and polished to a high gloss. This is a permanent mod. (sort of) We can provide the service only to your existing lights, or we sell new lights outright with the service already done. This way you can re-install the original lights if you want to sell in the future.The running and brake lights shine through well and I think you can see through these better than covers. Not to mention they look cleaner and not so bulky.
Below are some light we just finished for a customer.