Benner Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I'm looking to darken my tail lights but I'm not a fan of the covers, so my question is, for those of you that have painted your tail lights black (or smoked), How'd you go about doing it and keeping them from dulling out. Pics are appreciated as well. Hopefully this is in the right section. Mods feel free to move it if not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Explain what you mean by dulling out? I'm assuming you mean after painting them you don't want them to look smoked and dull, but instead a polished shiny smoked look to them. It's really as simple as prepping the surface for paint, doing multiple thin coats of black paint, and plenty of patience wet sanding them so you get a perfect shine to them. A coat of clear never hurts to keep the paint protected after you get the desired look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted November 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Yeah I'm meaning I've heard alot of people saying how they dull out like sun fade really bad within a few months of being in the sunlight. Does this seem like a good way to do it? http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/paint-body-work/447719-vht-nite-shades-write-up-installation-preparation.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 mine are the decals (vinyl i think) that are applied to the taillights. i spent the money to get quality ones and they turned out perfect--and obviously are easily reversed back to stock http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii296/LowLevelP08/Kirk-Cobra-007.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Yeah I'm meaning I've heard alot of people saying how they dull out like sun fade really bad within a few months of being in the sunlight. Does this seem like a good way to do it? http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/paint-body-work/447719-vht-nite-shades-write-up-installation-preparation.html That's essentially the same idea as what I mentioned with less work involved(no wet sanding and etc). The results look good, so if you can get a hold of the VHT nightshade stuff, I would give it a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted November 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Okay cool. I think I'm going to end up trying this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miller Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 mine are the decals (vinyl i think) that are applied to the taillights. i spent the money to get quality ones and they turned out perfect--and obviously are easily reversed back to stock http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii296/LowLevelP08/Kirk-Cobra-007.jpg kirk your cobra is hot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 My tails were done using VHT + rattle can clear method. It turned out nice, but it always looks better if you have it done professionally. Even if you do it perfectly with wetsanding and polishing and all that, it might have an orange-peel look, or it won't have a super glossy, mirror-like shine. Rattle can: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c295/skoval25/Car%20pics/tails_two.jpg Professional: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c295/skoval25/100_2266.jpg I'd get covers if I were you, or have someone at a body shop spray it with a black/clear mix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Okay cool. I think I'm going to end up trying this. Let me know how it turns out, I'm looking for a similar product to tint my own tails with little effort lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Sweet Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Well I clicked on that link on LS1tech and I'm surprised they turned out that well with rattle can clear and without any wetsanding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin R. Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Kevin (360Iroc) said he would do it professionally if there was enough interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unfunnyryan Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I'm doing my taillights this weekend hopefully. Heres the guide I'm following. http://volvospeed.com/Mods/tinting_vht_niteshade_imron.html Covers wetsanding and all. Also a short video at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sol740 Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 mine are the decals (vinyl i think) that are applied to the taillights. i spent the money to get quality ones and they turned out perfect--and obviously are easily reversed back to stock http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii296/LowLevelP08/Kirk-Cobra-007.jpg Thats hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Base-clear /thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 thanks for the comments guys. i don't really see a problem with the vinyls. unless you inspect the car closely, you'd swear they were painted---and its reversible. i have the 50% tint, as opposed to the completely blacked out version. and i paid around $50 if i remember correctly--not too much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benner Posted November 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 What brand are they and where'd you get them at kirk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qtr_pndr Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 i mixed black in clear on mine i will never do the niteshades after using it once again alot better result mixing black and clear.here are my tail lights http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z2/juiced347/adamscampicsandvids002.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 autobadges.com is where i bought mine from. not sure what applications they have--it might be only for mustangs?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Automotive Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I dont have the time right now as im in the middle of a paint job...but if you do a search there is i think a 3 or 4 page thread on this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.