Smoked Tails

[01silvapathy]

Well I finally bit the bullet and decided to smoke my tails today. It turned out just how I wanted it, dark enough so that you can tell they are tinted but not soo dark that you cant see the reflectors in the tail. It looks pretty good for what I have done so far. It was an easy process just wet sand with 600 then 100 then 2000, wash then dry and apply the Niteshades, I used 2 thin coats followed by 6 coats of clear. They cured in the sun for 3 hours then wet sanded with 2000 grit and used rubbing compound and then scratch remover and finally wax. I missed a few spots with the compound and scratch remover that I need to go back tomorrow and fix up. They are still a bit hazy in spots but I was rushed cause I had yards to mow tonight and the pathy was up on jack stands since yesterday Anyways onto the pics

Before


How it sat for a day cause I tried (and FAILED at fixing my wheel paint)


Wet sanded


After 2 LIGHT coats of VHT Niteshades


After 6 coats of clear


Wet Sanded with 2000 Grit vs cleared


Half Finished




I Also got bored and painted my engine cover


I still have to go back with compound and finish out a few spots tomorrow to really make em shine, but man are they ever smooth! And if you are wondering why my bumper is off, its because I am tinting my reflectors that are in the bumper and it had to be removed to access them. Also I went to a fab shop and got a quote on a custom bumper...but thats a later update. Lemme know what yall think.

Edit: I also need to go back and re tint the sides of the lights where I missed with the tint and clear, it looks way to red, and also possibly a darker ring along the outer edge of the light where it used to be painted red, but sanded down to reveal clear plastic. If I can get that to a darker tint that would be good.

[fueler]

they still look kind of dull. is there any way you can polish them up more

[ReKleiner88]

Not too shabby! I like em' good work guy.

All the younger kids in my small town went through a phase where they all wanted everylight on their car tinted, so half the cars in my town had blacked out headlights, fogs, tails, it was quite redick if you ask me. I'm more of a oem lookin guy, but the light tint isn't out of control so I like it.

[fueler]

ya im not a huge fan either. it never looks OEM. it looks like you spray painted the tail lights (which is true) !!

[01silvapathy]

I really like it, if I ever grow out of it all I need to do is just wet sand it down again and then re clear wet sand and polish. I did a bit more compounding and polishing tonight and got them shined up a bit and also got the reflectors in the bumper done and matched pretty well. Just need to get some of the clips that broke from the Nissan Dealership and re install the bumper.

[JonathanPrem]

Never put clearcoat on VHT nightshade, it will make it look dull. I learned it the hardway

[01silvapathy]

Ehhh I got em pretty shined up, its not super glossy but for my needs its perfect. I really like the way it turned out, and probably will stay that way for atleast a year or til my first ticket. Then i'll just sand em down and clear them back to stock. How did you black out your headlight? I took out my front light to see if I could get them open to paint the inner shroud but I have no clue where to begin to try and take it apart. Any suggestions.

[fueler]

for headlight i suggest you use window tint like slickroger did. Looks glossy and clean and so easy to remove if need be.

[01silvapathy]

I have 20% window tint, but will it stick to a plastic light? What about heat, might melt through the film?

[GRNMACHINE]

I like the look alot, always hated the tail lights. I plan on using the VHT only on the red trim part. Dont want any hassles for tinting tails.

[JonathanPrem]

For headlights use Tint film but take it to the pros. I've attempted it twice but failed hards

[GRNMACHINE]

01,

Love that truck!!! Re-looked at your tails, look way better than stock. Hope to get to mine soon, so many projects, so little time....