Smoking or Redding BRZ/FR-S Tail Lights

[xxscaxx]

Originally Posted by AintTrying2Race

Let me get this straight these do not have a "fail safe" so when you mess up on the spraying you can't just peel them off like plasti dip?

You can always sand them back down.

like Kosmos said if you take your time and don't rush you can't mess up really. Unless you are not very handy, then I wouldn't suggest trying it in the first place.

[qoncept]

Will one can do the tails? Are most people clear coating?

[Wes]

Originally Posted by qoncept

Will one can do the tails? Are most people clear coating?

One can should be enough. You don't have to, but I would recommend it if you want it to last and not fade overtime.

[stefmiesterb]

Are any more people experiencing the VHT cracking the lenses?

[Richard Cranium]

Originally Posted by aqua8701

I could use some input... I tried to do the VHT dealio and quickly realized I can't sand very well. I then took them in to a detailing shop who has done work on my previous vehicles to have them do it. Not a week after they were completed the paint started bubbling off of the tail lights. Second attempt, same result.
They are using Dupont paint and even had me meet with the Dupont rep to show him what was happening.
They are a professional shop with high quality painter that has done work for me before.
Any inputs from seasoned painters in here???

Originally Posted by aqua8701

Understatement lol...
I did get a full refund but now I've got unfinished tail lights.
Not to mention I wanted smoked and they went full black out. All the lights are still visible so it's not a problem..
This is more of a reach out I guess. I'm just worried because a lot of guys have a fuzzy finished product instead of the super glossy finish I'm looking for.

A little late to your original posts, but I wanted to chime in...here's a recent shot of mine after a few months of being painted.



My good friend owns and operates a body shop and I had him and his best painter red mine. I don't know the exact mixtures they used, but I know it ended up being a majority of straight clear coat with red and a slight amount of black to kill off any pink that was there. They did several test coats on spare and broken lights they had around their shop.

They wet sanded with 1000g, decon rinsed & dried, sprayed, 2000g, rinsed, sprayed and they came out with a perfect gloss. IIRC, they're a Dupont shop as well.

In the meantime, if you're content with what you have but don't have the gloss, do you have access to a machine polisher? You'll more than likely be able to polish off the haze on your own or at least have an experienced detailer take a crack at them.

[aqua8701]

Yours look very nice. Mine did too but within a week the paint was peeling off. I took them to another shop who says it looks like they just sprayed too much paint on. Not sure what paint they'll be using but he guaranteed a gloss blacked out lens. I would just get the smoked valenti tails but I am relocating the reverse lights into the tails. Hopefully I can get Seibon or APR to do a bumper light delete.

[Narin]

Has anyone done this on WRB BRZ? I've it done on other colors, but not WRB.

[Prooks]

Getting ready to try this out. Can't find 2000 grit sand paper though.
Has anyone tried the Krylon Fusion for plastic? It has a matte white cap but says it sprays on gloss.

[Wes]

Originally Posted by Prooks

Getting ready to try this out. Can't find 2000 grit sand paper though.
Has anyone tried the Krylon Fusion for plastic? It has a matte white cap but says it sprays on gloss.

Walmart has 2000 grit. Are you trying to white out your tails or what? I've used the satin black one for my headlights and its nice

[Prooks]

Originally Posted by Wes

Walmart has 2000 grit. Are you trying to white out your tails or what? I've used the satin black one for my headlights and its nice

I've been to Walmart and Home Depot with no luck. I'm not trying to white them out, I want to use this as the clear coat. The one I have says its clear and is good for UV protection.

Also, did you use the VHT nite shades? Or strictly just the satin black krylon?

[Wes]

Originally Posted by Prooks

I've been to Walmart and Home Depot with no luck. I'm not trying to white them out, I want to use this as the clear coat. The one I have says its clear and is good for UV protection.

Also, did you use the VHT nite shades? Or strictly just the satin black krylon?

Ooh okay I was gonna say that one you posted isn't a clear. I used the satin black to black out my headlights, it was pretty glossy. I haven't used VHT nightshade before only because it causes cracking in tails on other cars.

I am planning to use Duplicolor Metalcast Red, but I'm trying to find a clear coat that works with it. I know Spraymax does but I wanna see if I can find a good alternative before going to that. I might try yours if it goes on with success.

Try another Walmart, I know mine had it so hopefully another one will.

[FR-Slide]

So is MetalCast + Spraymax the best combo for this project still? Really interested in tackling this next week, but a few quick questions, since I've got Amber LED turn signals:

1) If I red out the entire light, will the signals show properly? Will they be red, amber, something in-between?
2) If I opt to leave a "window", is there any guidance on masking properly/accurately? Also, will I need to sand/polish the un-painted portion of the light prior to clearing? And, if so to that, is there a time-limit to wait on sanding (I don't want to catch an edge when sanding)?

Thanks!

[Wes]

Originally Posted by FR-Slide

So is MetalCast + Spraymax the best combo for this project still? Really interested in tackling this next week, but a few quick questions, since I've got Amber LED turn signals:

1) If I red out the entire light, will the signals show properly? Will they be red, amber, something in-between?
2) If I opt to leave a "window", is there any guidance on masking properly/accurately? Also, will I need to sand/polish the un-painted portion of the light prior to clearing? And, if so to that, is there a time-limit to wait on sanding (I don't want to catch an edge when sanding)?

Thanks!

1) If you do the whole thing then the lights will just pretty much show red
2) Probably not, but the way I see it is to mask out the surrounding then fill the inside. Well I don't think you need to sand/polish since that part will have been masked anyway. Wondering about the time limit for sanding as well, anyone?

Planning to tackle this soon

Edit: Finally did this! Happy with results, but still need to wet sand and polish when it is fully cured these were the products that I used:


Result:

[styl3z]

Originally Posted by DarrenDriven

Lacquer thinner will remove the paint quickly. I don't know if this will have any long-term effects for the plastic lens, but I had to redo my lights once (on my truck) and had no issues removing the paint.

How long do i have to wait to paint the tail lights again, after using lacquer thinner to remove the paint (I f'ed up)? @DarrenDriven