3rd brake light panel/lens repair DIY

[Dontcallmestan]

So, like a lot of you I suffer from a discolored and cracked third break light panel/lens. I was thinking about buying a new one since I'm having a lot of work done to the body and this is my attempt to repair the old one. I hope this helps someone or at least gives some of y'all a good laugh at my juvenile attempt at a repair, lol.

First off, I recently went threw a phone switch and don't have a picture of what it looked like before. This pic is of after I had hit it with 320 grit and sprayed about 4-5 coats of gloss black krylon fusion, then hit that with a 2000 grit, clear coated bout 7 coats, buffed with rubbing compound and lightly polished. Not bad for my first time if I do say so myself:3

These are my large, unsightly cracks:l

So first I went to Wally's and bought this glue

Mainy because it had a brush but also because Im used to working with it.
I sanded the areas around, and the cracks themselves with the 2000 grit.
I started to bathe the cracks it the glue, layer by layer trying to build them up best I could.

I sanded the glue areas when dry and built up with the 320 grit first and 2000 after. They were still a little bumpy but it was 106 and I wanted to go inside lol.
I taped off my brake light and bottom bumper to begin spraying the black.

And sprayed a very heavy coat. I was hoping to fill the cracks more and sand down when dry.

I do realize that I did not cover well but I'm about to have the car sent to pair and body and didn't mind any overspray lol. Just needed to protect the tail lights for the jdm DIY! Lol
The cracks came out pretty tidy and Ill be ready to sand them down tomorrow and clear coat it and buff/polish:)



I'll post the finished product tomorrow when it's done. Hope this helps someone or maybe just a conversation piece but glad to make my first post on nico club!

[Dontcallmestan]

This is what it looked like this morning. Some water spots and dirt.

This next pic was after a little sanding with 320 sponge

It was taking forever so I bumped to a 100 grit sponge
And finally got it ready for clear

Waiting for a small touch up to dry then imma shoot it and see how it looks

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome Stan! (see what I did there? *troll face* )

I'm glad you found your way to NICO! Awesome first post as soon as I get a chance i'm going to fix the pictures that way they load by themselves.

I see your in Texas, where are you located? We have quite a bit of Texas Z's.

You should post another thread and tell us a little about yourself and your car and post some pics of your car and tell us your plans for your Z!

Also whats going on with the decklid? Poor bondo job after being hit in the LH quarter? Is that why your bringing her to the body shop?

[Dontcallmestan]

Thanks for fixing the pics! I'm in burleson Texas which is about 15 miles down the highway from ft worth. I've only seen 1 other z in this town and I think he was visiting lol. And I'll be sure to make a new thread! She should be coming together pretty good here soon.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Nice! Small town USA

So where are you from?

No problem with fixing the pics.

When you post pics just remember to wrap these tags around the link: [img]LINK[/img]

[Dontcallmestan]

Well, I'm originally from Bellingham, WA. To which I'd love to return someday, but I've lived in a countless numer of states haha. It wasn't till we got here when I was 13 that I decided I was done following my mom and settled down for high school and now the start of college:3 how bout you? And my name is levi btw the username is kind of an allusion haha

[300ZXttZMAN]

And my name is levi btw the username is kind of an allusion haha

hehe

Well I'm from Lake charles, LA and have always lived here.

<My location says Sulphur, LA because thats where I ship and receive everything.

So how old are you?

[Dontcallmestan]

18:3 19 in October lol. Just now getting to where I can make enough money to work on my car and what not lol. How bout you?

[300ZXttZMAN]

18:3 19 in October lol. Just now getting to where I can make enough money to work on my car and what not lol. How bout you?

Nice! I'm 20 i'll be 21 in Feb.

You should really stick around NICO. Your first post was a write up (even though we already have one on this topic it doesn't matter - the fact that you tried matters). Most peoples first post is a technical question. Anyway it shows alot about your character which is a good thing.

If you want send me a private message of your address and i'll send you some kick a** NICO stickers that way you can rep your club.

[Dontcallmestan]

Well thanks:) ill be sure to stick around! I didn't look to hard but didn't see a repair thread do thought I might help some people save some money:p and yeah that'd be awesome!