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toast · 03-20-2015, 01:18 PM

I've never seen a set of tails using nightshades that really looked good. First did this on my STI in 08 and wound up doing those tails a few times. Things that I learned:

Duplicolor Metalcast >> Nightshades
Any single component from a spray can will fade in the sun eventually
Single component paints never fully cure - if you try to polish them with an orbital you will just smear them
Most people cannot use paint even with detailed instructions

If you want a nice color that will last the life of the car, you only need a single can of Metalcast and a single can of Spraymax 2k clear. Scotchbrite the stock lenses, mask them off and then use a paint prep to remove all wax and grease - Eastwood's Pre is a great product for this. Indoor painting area with no wind, clean the floor VERY well. Wear a synthetic shirt such as underarmor when spraying. These last two will minimize dust and fuzz in the air. Three light coats of Metalcast, each covering more and more of the light with 15 minutes of flash time between coats. Don't hang out in the area moving around and looking at them, you are just asking for dust in the coats. After the third coat of metalcast the light should be fully red, just not as dark as you want. Fourth coat spray wet, just not enough to make a run. When this coat is wet you will have an idea of the final product - as it dries it will start to look matte, don't worry.

At this point mix up the Spraymax (again, in a different area). After 30 minutes of flash for the 4th metalcast coat you are ready to spray the clear. Spray it wet, just shy of runs. 20 minutes flash and do it again. You don't want light coats of clear, you want it to flow out and fill all the little valleys left from the color coat. You'll notice at no time did I ever mention sanding any coats.

48 hours later the urethane will be fully cured. If you have to you can wetsand it with 2000 grit and then polish using an orbital with a mild cut followed by a fine cut polish, but if you followed the above directions there should be no need. Wax and treat the lights like you would the rest of the painted surfaces on your car. C Quartz coating really makes them pop.

03-20-2015, 01:18 PM	#9
toast Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 14 BSP Edelbrock BRZ Location: Lon Gisland Posts: 806 Thanks: 113 Thanked 452 Times in 257 Posts Mentioned: 12 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I've never seen a set of tails using nightshades that really looked good. First did this on my STI in 08 and wound up doing those tails a few times. Things that I learned: Duplicolor Metalcast >> Nightshades Any single component from a spray can will fade in the sun eventually Single component paints never fully cure - if you try to polish them with an orbital you will just smear them Most people cannot use paint even with detailed instructions If you want a nice color that will last the life of the car, you only need a single can of Metalcast and a single can of Spraymax 2k clear. Scotchbrite the stock lenses, mask them off and then use a paint prep to remove all wax and grease - Eastwood's Pre is a great product for this. Indoor painting area with no wind, clean the floor VERY well. Wear a synthetic shirt such as underarmor when spraying. These last two will minimize dust and fuzz in the air. Three light coats of Metalcast, each covering more and more of the light with 15 minutes of flash time between coats. Don't hang out in the area moving around and looking at them, you are just asking for dust in the coats. After the third coat of metalcast the light should be fully red, just not as dark as you want. Fourth coat spray wet, just not enough to make a run. When this coat is wet you will have an idea of the final product - as it dries it will start to look matte, don't worry. At this point mix up the Spraymax (again, in a different area). After 30 minutes of flash for the 4th metalcast coat you are ready to spray the clear. Spray it wet, just shy of runs. 20 minutes flash and do it again. You don't want light coats of clear, you want it to flow out and fill all the little valleys left from the color coat. You'll notice at no time did I ever mention sanding any coats. 48 hours later the urethane will be fully cured. If you have to you can wetsand it with 2000 grit and then polish using an orbital with a mild cut followed by a fine cut polish, but if you followed the above directions there should be no need. Wax and treat the lights like you would the rest of the painted surfaces on your car. C Quartz coating really makes them pop.