painting taillights

[00Turbo444]

is there a right up on how to paint your taillights?

[DunesRunner08]

there is but IMHO just take then to body shop, the most they will charge is $100 and it will look good and they will warranty it

[00Turbo444]

its for my friends car we just got a rattle can of flat black i figured if he didnt like how it looks we could just remove it

[doubledrop]

usually the black is mixed with clear, otherwise you cannot see thru them enough, hard to do with a rattle can

[DunesRunner08]

flat black? that will look horrible.... mine are being done next week on my wife's truck shiney black to match the truck

[DCSpecial]

Sand
Clean with wax and grease remover.
Tint to desired darkness
Clear
Wetsand and Buff or Reclear for a real glossy finish.

You can use rattle can model tint (Testors Transparent Black Window Tint), or Niteshades.


I do agree that most people won't get them as good as a body shop will. Most will use a black and clear mixture, but there is also candy black....and then clear that.

Just had my buddy do these....candy black and ppg concept clear:
Indoor, natural light......kitchen ceiling reflection:


Direct Sunlight:



Obviously you can do them darker or lighter....all depends on how many coats of tint you use.

[DunesRunner08]

Originally Posted by doubledrop

usually the black is mixed with clear, otherwise you cannot see thru them enough, hard to do with a rattle can

the body shops take 2 parts clear to one part black and do it in layers until they acheive the desired darkness

[optx002]

I used VHT niteshades on my explorer. I cleaned and prepped very well. Then sprayed 3 very light coats of the VHT, and then wetsanded. Then did 2 coats of clear. Held up fine for years of buffalo ny winters with salt and snow and rain.

[DunesRunner08]

lol....Buffalo winters.... I remember those.... Dont miss them at all but I remember them...

[justafarmtruck]

use gloss black wet sand and clear when your done mine have been done and look great others tryed to copy me at school... and they just cant do it.