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Tail-Lights Tinting [*]



I've had trouble the last two summers with my clear flaking off....having to sand them down again is a PITA. Any thing that I could be doing wrong maybe? I've used the duplicolor clear, and a GM clear...nothing seems to want to stay.

I even try to keep them waxed....no help.
 
sounds to me like it wasnt fully cleaned...happens to paint as well.

if you touch it...the oils form your fingers gets on and doesnt create a good bond between the clear and the VHT. there is a cleaner solution sold at most autoparts stores that cleans the surface completely of all oils. if not use windex...AFTER the nightshades has dried..before the first coat of clear.

this should help out...if not....I have no idea. bad batch of clear?
 
couple other small things i like to do. instead of the scotchbrite/scuff pad wet sand with 400 grit apply 2 to 3 coats (dark) 1 coat (very pleasing as not too dark) let stand 20 to 30 min between coats, after final coat. wet sand with 1000 grit to get any contaminents/dirt, then apply the clear coat. i use automotive grade to give a great look that lasts.
 


i wouldnt do it with the main heads because it qould reduce visibility but i might try the corners soon since i dont use my signals anyways,lol
 
how do you remove the tail lights?..i see there are some screw off pieces on the inside of the trunk. Is that all you have to take off?
 


Yes, there are a couple you can see, and then one behind your trunk liner, if i remember correctly. Pretty sure its just 3 and then it slides right out.
 
Yeah I just did this to my taillights. Turned out great but I'm gonna wet sand and buff mine to get that paint like shine. It doesn't look to bad just the way it is. It actually looks great but when u get up close u can tell it needs to be buffed to a nice shine
 
i did mine the other day since my car is down for now till my trans id built, i used VHT, wet sanded with 1000 grit, 5 medium coats of VHT, 6 medium/heavy coats of automotive clear, wet sand with 1000 grit, polish with headlight polish, then Scratch-X.

Photo0233.jpg

Photo0234-1.jpg
 
Just went to my Autozone to pick up the VHT, and they don't carry it yet.

Edit: Found VHT at Speed & Truck World.
 
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Would any spray paint, such as body-color paint, work? My GP is reddish (U817K) and I'd love to have body-color tail lights that still light up bright. I wouldn't mind paying for brighter lights either, if they really needed to come through.
 
VHT is "translucent black lens paint". Not normal spray paint. You will NOT see anything if you spray paint your tails with normal spray paint.
 
well damn...

what if i painted the parts in this pic that are already a bit darker? Do you think that would interfere with legality?
11-6003-00.jpg
 
arc said:
well damn...

what if i painted the parts in this pic that are already a bit darker? Do you think that would interfere with legality?
11-6003-00.jpg
Click to expand...

no, it would be perfectly legal. even lightly tinted tails are completely legal so long as you can see the light output from so far away (local laws are different).
 
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