"how-to" on lightly tinting tail lights?
03-10-2012, 02:53 PM
#11
Senior Member
They're really not that dark... Depends on the light you are in...
Mine
1. I removed the lights
2. Sanded evenly with 2000 grit paper
3. Cleaned
4. Taped off reverse light
5. Lightly dusted them evenly with VHT
6. Removed tape
7. Let cure
8. Sanded evenly with 2000 grit
9.Cleaned
10. Coated with two coats of clear with a UV protectant in it...
Diablos
Repeated steps 2,3,5 once more before the clear, skipped 4 & 6
That's it...
A good clear applied correctly will give a mirror finish without buffing like the two sets I did above...
You can get different lusters depending on technique or you can get satin, semi gloss, gloss etc. as well...
Mine
1. I removed the lights
2. Sanded evenly with 2000 grit paper
3. Cleaned
4. Taped off reverse light
5. Lightly dusted them evenly with VHT
6. Removed tape
7. Let cure
8. Sanded evenly with 2000 grit
9.Cleaned
10. Coated with two coats of clear with a UV protectant in it...
Diablos
Repeated steps 2,3,5 once more before the clear, skipped 4 & 6
That's it...
A good clear applied correctly will give a mirror finish without buffing like the two sets I did above...
You can get different lusters depending on technique or you can get satin, semi gloss, gloss etc. as well...
03-10-2012, 03:15 PM
#12
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Minnesota
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A7X:
1) Did you wet sand or dry sand them?
2) How long did you let them cure?
3) What did you use to clean the lights (wax/grease remover, soap/water, degreaser)?
4) Is there a specific brand you would recommend for a clear coast or just one with a uv protectant?
I know I ask a lot of questions but I just want to get it right.
BTW, I like the height of your truck. I see you like to play in the dirt lol.
Its nice to see trucks used for what they are built for. Dont get me wrong, I like to see a nice, clean, mark-free truck too. But too often I see these trucks with lifts and chrome parts and you can tell that they are never taken off of the tar. Some trucks are meant to get down and dirty. Its too bad our truck is only a 2wd.
And you are right, they arent that dark. I like them too.
Thank you all for the help and how to's.
1) Did you wet sand or dry sand them?
2) How long did you let them cure?
3) What did you use to clean the lights (wax/grease remover, soap/water, degreaser)?
4) Is there a specific brand you would recommend for a clear coast or just one with a uv protectant?
I know I ask a lot of questions but I just want to get it right.
BTW, I like the height of your truck. I see you like to play in the dirt lol.
Its nice to see trucks used for what they are built for. Dont get me wrong, I like to see a nice, clean, mark-free truck too. But too often I see these trucks with lifts and chrome parts and you can tell that they are never taken off of the tar. Some trucks are meant to get down and dirty. Its too bad our truck is only a 2wd.
And you are right, they arent that dark. I like them too.
Thank you all for the help and how to's.
03-10-2012, 03:31 PM
#13
Senior Member
I dry sanded initially...
Then wet sanded after the first coat...
Just a very diluted soap/water mix to clean...
And any good quality automotive clear with a UV protectant...
And yes, my truck plays in the mud! Haha
Then wet sanded after the first coat...
Just a very diluted soap/water mix to clean...
And any good quality automotive clear with a UV protectant...
And yes, my truck plays in the mud! Haha
03-13-2012, 12:00 PM
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Schuylkill County, PA
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XC RACER 129:
I think I want our tail lights to look like yours. But I heard that you cant buff tail lights if they have been treated with VHT Nightshade because it will mess up the finish or pull the finish off. I heard that I could spray a few coats of clearcoat over them once VHT Nightshade was applied to give them a glossy finish. But yours look good to me. I might consider leaving them alone if I can get them to look simular to your tail lights.
digdeep0169:
I completely forgot about the third brake light. I will be doing that too.
I normally dont like black trucks/cars. But your look really nice with the badges on the tailgate painted black and the covers on the tail lights. The mix of chrome and black is just right for my tastes. I know how hard it is to keep black looking good. From your pic, it doesnt look like there is a mark or blemish on the paint. Good job.
Thanks for the tips. If anyone else has tinted their tail lights in any way, please feel free to post pics. I just would like to see how dark eveyone has gone.
Thanks again.
I think I want our tail lights to look like yours. But I heard that you cant buff tail lights if they have been treated with VHT Nightshade because it will mess up the finish or pull the finish off. I heard that I could spray a few coats of clearcoat over them once VHT Nightshade was applied to give them a glossy finish. But yours look good to me. I might consider leaving them alone if I can get them to look simular to your tail lights.
digdeep0169:
I completely forgot about the third brake light. I will be doing that too.
I normally dont like black trucks/cars. But your look really nice with the badges on the tailgate painted black and the covers on the tail lights. The mix of chrome and black is just right for my tastes. I know how hard it is to keep black looking good. From your pic, it doesnt look like there is a mark or blemish on the paint. Good job.
Thanks for the tips. If anyone else has tinted their tail lights in any way, please feel free to post pics. I just would like to see how dark eveyone has gone.
Thanks again.
04-21-2013, 01:37 AM
#17
Heres what I cuase I dont like anything permanent on the first go around. I go to ebay and over the light tint for about $6-7 a roll and its enough to do all ur truck and maybe another. Look on youtibe and find a how to vids on tint film on tail lights(its really really easy once you see it, its all heat , shrink, abd strech and our lights are very simple with no complex curves. When ur donw just trim it up and the best part of it all is if you dont like it then tear it off and you only wasted 6 bucks and 30min. Good luck and happy modding
04-21-2013, 02:26 PM
#20
The main part is the clearcoat. If you dont get several good exterior coats on it, the sun, elements and small scratches will take that night shade right off.
Check to see if a body shop will clear coat them for cheap, or use a high grade glossy exterior clear coat. Makes 100% difference in the life of the shading and looks much better.
Check to see if a body shop will clear coat them for cheap, or use a high grade glossy exterior clear coat. Makes 100% difference in the life of the shading and looks much better.