How to paint your tail lights

[Infantry1327]

For those of you who want to smoke your taillights without vinals, hear is what you need and how to do it. This process is very easy and probably doesnt need a write up, but hear it is anyways.

First you will need to get the right paint. I went to my local hobby shop and picked up some tinting paint. It is called Pactra Racing Finish and the color is RC294 window tint. I also used a clear coat called Tamiya Color for plastics. The color code is TS-13



If you want a glossy look, you do not need the clear coat. If you want more of a matte color, use the clear coat.

If you want to leave your turn signals clear, you will need

tracing paperCompass (an art compass, not a directional compass)Cardboard paper double sided tapeScissors or razor blade

First you will need to remove your tail lights.http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=292000

1. Place the tracing paper over the turn signal, then place the point of the compass in the middle of the turn signal. Adjust the size and make sure it lines up with the edge all the way around. Once you have the proper line drawn, remove the tracing paper.

2. Place the tracing paper over the card board paper and cut out the circle. Now place the card board cut out over your turn signal and check for fit.

3. Now that you have your stencil, cover the bottom with double sided tape. You want to cover the whole bottom so there is a seal and paint doesnt drip onto your turn signals. Cut the excess tape off, so the tape is flush with the cut out. Now place the cut out over the turn signal.

4. Spray the first coat of tinting paint on. Spay easily and take your time. Hold the can 10-12"s away to avoid dripping. And leave the coat light. After applying the first coat, let the light dry for atleast 15 min. Then repeat. I did 3 coats, and my lights came out pretty dark.

5. If you want more of a matte look, spray an additional 3 coats of clear coat. Then let it dry at least 30 min before removing your turn signal stencils

If you mess up, or get a ticket, don't worry. This paint can be removed with nail polish remover and some scrubbing.

First coat

Second coat

Final with clear coat and compared to stock





Night pics with the brakes on, comeing soon and yes you can still see the brake lights from a pretty decent distance away

[LongBeachCoupe]

I was going to ask about the shine, it looked more matte to me.

If you dont mind my asking, all the stuff ive seen in the past sugguested that you scuff or sand down the surface of the light first, and had buffing etc after it dried. Where did you get your method from etc..

This seems a lot easier!

I especially like the part about a art compass not a directional one lol.

Def article worthy, id offer you a custom tag but well your already COMBAT PROOVEN

[Infantry1327]

I got the method from my little brother. He had a grey 2005 mustang mach 1 (before he drove it threw a block wall and totaled it in someones backyard) that he did the same thing to the tail lights. My brother knows squat about cars but one of his friends taught him how to do it.

I was looking for tinting spray everywhere but couldnt find it for the life of me. Then my little bro told me they sold it at hobby shops for dycast models. And the rest I just made up as I went.

Also if anyone can't figure out the compass trick, email me and I will email you the stencil so you just need to print it out.

LBC, you could always throw another custom title under combat proven. lol

[jeffliu35]

lazy question but umm any chance i can do it witout removing the lights? =D

[Infantry1327]

yea you could, but you will risk getting paint on your car and it wont come out as good. It is literaly like 2 screws and 2 clips to take the lights off. So if I was you, I would just take them off.

[surmanm]

[Infantry1327]

good job, looks real clean

[surmanm]

thanks

[rjdmmfl1]

lazy question but umm any chance i can do it witout removing the lights? =D

very bad idea!!!!!

also, sean, the more comonly used spray is something called VHT niteshades... has a much glossier finish to it, even before the clearcoat... your tails look very matte black!

here's the vht niteshades... also, this is what I had on me headlights before I went with the viny overlays!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

[Infantry1327]

Yea, I know about the VHT, but I wanted more of the matte black color so they would match better with the rims. The paint I got can be removed with nail polish remover, so if they start looking bad, then I can take it off and re-do them. But so far they are holding up really well.

[losenone]

Looking real nice! The black really contrasts the white paint, very pissed looking =]

[adidas2go]

Very nice, article number 2 of yours coming up

[Infantry1327]

woot woot. and there should be more to come soon.

[D-Roll]

Looks good! I assume you can use this paint on the headlights??

[Infantry1327]

I would assume so, But don't quote me. I have not used this paint on my headlights and I don't know for sure if it can handle that much heat. But i will look into it.

[BlackNWhite]

http://www.ehobbies.com/pac294.html

That spray can is 4 bucks. Hmm... dunno if I should try it though.

This three ounce Pactra spray paint is Window Tint in color and sprays on to a gloss finish. It's ideal for painting the inside of clear lexan bodies on radio controlled cars. It comes with an anti aging flex agent. 3 Ounce Spray.

^What the hell is 'Lexan'?

[Voodoo Coupe]

I'm deffinatly loving the matte black tails. I'd go with the same gloss has never been my style.

[Infantry1327]

yea it comes out glossy, but thats why I put the clear coat on it. The clear coat is what made it matte.

I believe lexan is a type of rubber, but i could be mistaken.

[Firetyrant]

lexan is a hard type of acrylic (plastic). it's a very hard material.

[ja105ny]

here's the vht niteshades... also, this is what I had on me headlights before I went with the viny overlays!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

do these come off easily? and how easy is it to do the painting? i havent done much tail-light painting. surmanm yours looks pretty glossy? any sanding necessary?

[Infantry1327]

It is really easy to paint, as long as you take your time and only apply thin coats at a time. No sanding was necessary. As far as how hard it is to remove, I dont know. I havent removed mine yet. I sprayed some of the paint on some glass and plastic and let it dry. Then i was able to rub it off with nail polish remover and a towl.

[BlackNWhite]

As I googled that spray can... it's amazing to see how many people have used it on their cars.

I kinda rather use VHT niteshades because that's what I had on my '06 Altima... but this looks good too. I never tried to take off the niteshades... and I know this will come off so I'm torn between the two.

[D-Roll]

I've used a similar glass spray paint that I got from a store called "Michaels" on the fog lights of my old SpecV, yellow. I think that it was made my Krylon. Came out perfect too but they dont have it in black.

[headhunt3r]

Just an fyi, and I'm not trying to be a smartass... but the white lights are your reverse lights, not your turn lights. The turn lights are the non-circular lights above the white ones, and imho the ugliest part of our tail lights.

Nice writeup!

[jeffliu35]

hey infantry. can u email me the cut out for the light?

[email protected]

thanks bro

[Infantry1327]

yea I am at work right now, so I will email it to you when I get home. Anyone else need them while I am at it.

[DarkKnight22]

.

[BlackNWhite]

I'll take a copy too if it's not too late.

DAlvarez899 @hotmail.com

[Infantry1327]

ok boys, stencil sent. Let me know if it comes out ok

[pkrutop]

Count me in for a copy aswell please!

[email protected]

Thank you!