How to: Black out your tail lights the pro's way.
this how to isnt for everyone but in all honesty i think this is the only correct way to black out tail lights in stead of using that garbage vht makes. i understand this method wont be for everyone BUT i wanted to post it anyways.
Materials needed
1. 1500 grit wetsanding paper. i use 3m but all the others are gine
2. a gray scotch bright pad
3. scuffing paste
4. some 1 1/2" tape finished tape rolls
5. 1/4" trape(scotch green) and 1 1/2" tape
6. a piece of cardboard
7. your favorite spray gun and booth
8. clear coat(my choice spies and hekker 8530 high solids low voc clear)
9. single stage black(my choice spies and hekker fp2000 deep black)
10. silicone remover and a tack cloth
11. static free/ lint free towels
i didnt take pictures of all the steps but just the important ones
1. remove tail lights and dis assemble the third brake light
2. lightly sand the tail lights with 1500 grit wet(i usually let it soak for 10-20 minutes prior). sand the lights until you see your imperfections removed and a hazy finish
3. now on the edges of the lights theres always some plastic build up or an un even spot where they were glued together. this is where the gray scuff pad and paste come in. using some water scuff around the edges very good until there are no shiney spots left. also for insurance i do this on the whole light aswell.
4. after getting the lights all sanded its important to give them a thorough washing to remove and paste or wet sanding residue. dry them off extermely well.
5. now i take my greentape and lay it around the inner edge of where they are glued together. i get a nice line around them
6. the i take my finished off rolls of tape and place them between the screws. this raises the lights so they arent close to the cardboard.
7. now tape them all up and place them on the cardboard and tape everything down to the cardboard.
8. wipe them down thoroughly with your wax and grease remove or silicone remove.
9. prepare your paint. theres really no right way to do this. mix your clear the proper way and add some black into it. i sprayed a test panel with x amount of coats to see how dark they would get. after 1 coat i got this.
flash was accidently on for this pic
i was going for a really light tint because my cars black and i like the tail lights breaking it all up a bit. so after 3 coats this is what iwas left with.
i accidently clicked send before adding the finishing touches which isnt mouch
after they dry setand them flat with 1500 and finish in 3000 and buff them back to a shine. makes the clarrity that much better. ill get pics of the saleen ones i did. they look black. and also this is to be done by someone that has sprayed with a paint gun or someone whos done paint work before and im not responsible for ANYONES screw ups! if you want me to do your lights shoot me a pm
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im getting the xcelerated trunk eventually though. but if anyone wants tail lights done just shoot me a pm.
Originally Posted by McShibbs
