Spraying your Tail lights

[RZ86]

Hey guys

Just a quick question for those who have sprayed their tail lights (red, or whatever).

What process did you undertake? What products? etc.

I know of someone who has tried to get his tails sprayed, but unfortunately they cracked due to a thinner to clean the plastic before paint.

I'm looking to get this done instead of waiting for the perfect tails to be released. I just want them to be red lol.

Thanks

[i_4got]

Originally Posted by RZ86

Hey guys

Just a quick question for those who have sprayed their tail lights (red, or whatever).

What process did you undertake? What products? etc.

I know of someone who has tried to get his tails sprayed, but unfortunately they cracked due to a thinner to clean the plastic before paint.

I'm looking to get this done instead of waiting for the perfect tails to be released. I just want them to be red lol.

Thanks

If you mask off the areas carefully, you can actually spray your lights without taking them off your car. @ipothas did it in his car journal: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19280

I understand VHT makes a good product. That's probably what I'm going to use.

Edit: oh, and I don't think it's necessary to clean the lights with any harsh chemicals. Just give it a good wash with some soap and water, maybe some Windex.

[Books]

Originally Posted by RZ86

Just a quick question for those who have sprayed their tail lights (red, or whatever).

Hello, there is a great Search feature on these forums and a wonderful DIY Section located here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43


To answer your question, ninjasaurusrex has created a wonderful DIY guide that might answer some of your questions:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20831

And also on the same topic, you may also be interested in blacking out the light housing written by user sw20kosh:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12312

Originally Posted by i_4got

Edit: oh, and I don't think it's necessary to clean the lights with any harsh chemicals. Just give it a good wash with some soap and water, maybe some Windex.

Just wanted to warn you about using Windex on your paint. It will wear out your paint over time and also slowly eat away any layer of wax/sealants/clearcoat you may have on. I'm sure using it once or twice will have no effect long term. Soap and water will be perfect, but if you want to use a cleaner try to use something that is made for cars and also not ammonia based.
EDIT: Hmm.. looks like my information on Windex is old and they are no longer Ammonia based. You should still avoid using it on your paint.

Here is their FAQ: http://www.windex.com/en-US/Pages/Faq.aspx

Can I use Windex® on my vehicle windows?
Yes, but it is best to clean automobile windows with Windex® cleaners when the surface is cool and out of direct sunlight whenever possible. You can use it on glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces. You should avoid painted surfaces. On tinted windows, test in an inconspicuous spot first, since there are different qualities of tint.

[i_4got]

Originally Posted by Books

Hello, there is a great Search feature on these forums and a wonderful DIY Section located here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43


To answer your question, ninjasaurusrex has created a wonderful DIY guide that might answer some of your questions:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20831

And also on the same topic, you may also be interested in blacking out the light housing written by user sw20kosh:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12312



Just wanted to warn you about using Windex on your paint. It will wear out your paint over time and also slowly eat away any layer of wax/sealants/clearcoat you may have on. I'm sure using it once or twice will have no effect long term. Soap and water will be perfect, but if you want to use a cleaner try to use something that is made for cars and also not ammonia based.

I meant only use Windex on the headlights and taillights, not the body of the car itself lol. Unless Windex is too harsh for the lights as well?

[Books]

Originally Posted by i_4got

I meant only use Windex on the headlights and taillights, not the body of the car itself lol. Unless Windex is too harsh for the lights as well?

I think you're correct, I don't think it'll damage the tail lights. But definitely don't let it touch your paint!

[diirk]

Originally Posted by RZ86

Hey guys

Just a quick question for those who have sprayed their tail lights (red, or whatever).

What process did you undertake? What products? etc.

I know of someone who has tried to get his tails sprayed, but unfortunately they cracked due to a thinner to clean the plastic before paint.

I'm looking to get this done instead of waiting for the perfect tails to be released. I just want them to be red lol.

Thanks

VHT makes a Red Nite Shades paint also. Might work well depending on what you're trying to do.

[RZ86]

Yeah I'm aware of the VHT product, but I'm not really after the matte finish. Maybe using a clear after using VHT could give me the gloss I'm after.

At the moment my tails are wrapped in red vinyl, but this has caused them to crack down the bottom of the light. I'll need new tails at some point lol.

I am aware of the search button, but I've seen quite a few 86/FRS/BRZs with glossy red tails, and no info how to get it (or nothing that I've found).

[Enigmus]

I've prepared and painted mine red with the intentions of going for an oem glossy redout look. I used red vht and tried using a can of clear coat. It initially looked great but the hot summer caused the clear coat to fade. After the coat faded the surface started to get rough with sediment embedded making it feel like sandpaper and matted.

I finally had enough of it and wetsanded and clay barred it to remove all the rough specks. I took it to a friend who gave it a coat of automotive clear coat. You can see the difference in the attached photos.

In summary you can paint it yourself but don't skimp on the clear coat and get it professionally done. Or save yourself some time and have them coat it with a blend of candy red clear coat. It should be less than about a hundred bucks if you ask around or free if you have an awesome friend. :happy0180:

[i_4got]

Originally Posted by Enigmus

I've prepared and painted mine red with the intentions of going for an oem glossy redout look. I used red vht and tried using a can of clear coat. It initially looked great but the hot summer caused the clear coat to fade. After the coat faded the surface started to get rough with sediment embedded making it feel like sandpaper and matted.

I finally had enough of it and wetsanded and clay barred it to remove all the rough specks. I took it to a friend who gave it a coat of automotive clear coat. You can see the difference in the attached photos.

In summary you can paint it yourself but don't skimp on the clear coat and get it professionally done. Or save yourself some time and have them coat it with a blend of candy red clear coat. It should be less than about a hundred bucks if you ask around or free if you have an awesome friend. :happy0180:

What the... did they bubble up like that while they were drying? Does anyone know why? Is it because of the heat or something?

[Enigmus]

Originally Posted by i_4got

What the... did they bubble up like that while they were drying? Does anyone know why? Is it because of the heat or something?

those were before they were polished and waxed thoroughly. i'll wait til the next car wash before i take some better pics

[DC-FRS]

Mixed black and clear and sprayed mine. It turned out amazing. I can post pics later if anybody wants to see.

[i_4got]

Originally Posted by DC-FRS

Mixed black and clear and sprayed mine. It turned out amazing. I can post pics later if anybody wants to see.

Yes please. Did you spray a few coats of black and then glossed it with clear?

[DC-FRS]

Originally Posted by i_4got

Yes please. Did you spray a few coats of black and then glossed it with clear?

You actually take black paint, mix it with clear so it lightens it, then just do a coat, if its not as dark as you want, spray another coat, and so on. I'll put up pics later today, it got too dark last night.