Smoking or Redding BRZ/FR-S Tail Lights

[jetfire]

Didn't read through the whole thread, but I did this on my 09 WRX taillights with Duplicolor Metalcast Red and the color started fading after about a year or so. Repeating the process may not be a big deal since it's a pretty easy DIY, but you guys should be aware of potential fading. All the more reason not to skip the clear-coat step.

[tiz22]

Just FYI if anyone on here (I saw a few earlier in the thread) doesn't want to risk doing this - I am contemplating going with a dark tint instead of red tinted tail light on my raven FRS so I could sell my red tinted Spyder lights

Check my post on Page 19 if you're curious to see how they look (spoiler alert: they look good)

[asloned]

Here's mine (Not the best Picture)! I have been wanting to do this for a long time and finally got the nerve to do it! I am pretty happy with the results. Thanks for all the info!

In the process of doing this as we speak.. Only regret is that I started it when the sun wasn't out ... I got excited to start this, but I'll post pictures of progress whoohoo

JDM gnat? Lol


First coast with duplicolor metal cast red


Last coast after 30 min in between with 3 light and 2 heavy coats


Final

There is a couple of things I messed up on and I still have to clear coat. I'll will post when clear coat goes on (I didn't wet sand while red paint is on) and( I sanded evenly down for prep with 2000 grit.) I really hope when I spray the x2 rustoleum it clears up.

[DIM]

I'm planning to do my tail light's like FRS8SIX, I know how to tape it off and paint it red. But don't know how to do a light tint like he did. Any suggestions?

[Danny86]

Originally Posted by DIM

I'm planning to do my tail light's like FRS8SIX, I know how to tape it off and paint it red. But don't know how to do a light tint like he did. Any suggestions?

I'm pretty sure you have to buy the right paint such as VHT night shades or red if you're going for the red out look. But it's made specifically for that.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[boredom.is.me]

Originally Posted by Danny86

I'm pretty sure you have to buy the right paint such as VHT night shades or red if you're going for the red out look. But it's made specifically for that.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

He's talking about the color combo...black tint over the signals and the rest red.

@DIM
You could just double mask, then clear all.

[DIM]

Originally Posted by boredom.is.me

He's talking about the color combo...black tint over the signals and the rest red.

@DIM
You could just double mask, then clear all.

I think he also tinted the red. It seems a little darker compared to others. Or is it just me?

[boredom.is.me]

Originally Posted by DIM

I think he also tinted the red. It seems a little darker compared to others. Or is it just me?

For the purpose of this quote, I am also quoting the picture.

Those look like two different reds. The first looks like a well polished VHT job. The second looks like a candy apple which is as deep of a red.

From my reading experience(not actually knowledge) every picture that I looked for painting the lights ended up being 2 shades of red. One shade of red would be with the VHT (it was a lighter red almost "orangeish") and the other shade of red was darker almost like OEM, and that paint was the Duplicolor metalcast. Once again I could be wrong this is simply just what I observed after going through this entire thread.
Best of luck

[Wes]

Originally Posted by DIM

I'm planning to do my tail light's like FRS8SIX, I know how to tape it off and paint it red. But don't know how to do a light tint like he did. Any suggestions?

Trying to paint tint the signals would be hard to get the right shade, see if you can get like a light tint vinyl for that area, should be easier.

Originally Posted by zack681720

JDM gnat? Lol

There is a couple of things I messed up on and I still have to clear coat. I'll will post when clear coat goes on (I didn't wet sand while red paint is on) and( I sanded evenly down for prep with 2000 grit.) I really hope when I spray the x2 rustoleum it clears up.

The metal cast red is matte without the clear, dont worry as soon as the clear goes on it'll be transparent.

@Wes thanks for the confidence boost lol I was really getting worried that I messed them up. As soon as I clear coat I'll post an update for everybody.

[Ric0]

If anyone is debating doing this have no fear! If I can do it so can you
Steps on how I did mine.
1) clean tails and make sure you mask everything off
2) VERY light 1st coat of Dupli-Color Metalcast anodized red
3) after 15-20mins another light coat of paint (repeat this step 3-4 more times)
At this point you might be taking shit as the lamp may look dull and you can't see thru it.
4) Using 2000 grit sand paper wet sand it with soap until it's smooth (becareful you don't over do it, if you do... paint, wait to dry and wet sand again lightly)
5) VERY light coat of clear (I used Dupli-Color acrylic enamel clear coat)
6) after 15-20mins another coat of clear (repeat these steps 3-4 more times)
7) Wet sand with soap, don't over do it just enough to get rid of the orange peel
8) Rubbing compound (removes scratched from wet sanding)
9) Polish (gets it's smooth and almost shining)
10) wax the crap out of it to bring out the shine.

Hope this helps someone took me all day and sry for the sh!tty photobucket pics.


Day time pics