Spray tint?

[402 Motoring]

We've been spraying them for years now. On the outside though.

 

[GAINMOB]

ok...that would look hot...but thats way above my skill level...i'll give the spray tint a try and it all else fail i'll just order the smoke. my 3rd light is already smoke...everything matched until my left light wire burned out and i thought it was the lights...just faulty wiring...so i have chrome tails with smoke 3rd...

 

[GAINMOB]

just had an epiphany!!! what if...i tape of the reverse and the LEDs...then totally or go very dark everywhere else...then you'll see chrome around the LEDs and the rest is blacked out?

 

[panda24619]

dont spray inside. the spray allows light to escape. so if you spray inside then the light will go into the lens and not come out. or so i have read. and you can do pretty much anything with the spray as long as you have tape good enough to do it. and the patience to do it too. i think i might make a star or something on my lens.

 

[ELVATO]

yeah, spraying the inside would be a no-brainer if they are easily opened. Don't have to worry about the finish at all, just consistency.

Expedition, is that how you did yours on the current generation one?

No, he took it to a paint shop, where they mixed a little bit of black with clear and sprayed the tail lights. As I said in my previous post, this method yields the best results.

Not sure if that's what he means, but I think Expedition was referring to the "DIY Harley tails" method when he mentioned opening the lights up. Basically, you take the lights apart, set the plastic half aside, mask off the reflector bowls, scuff the chrome and spray it black. When you put it back together, the light "looks" darker, without affecting reducing light output one bit.

 

[Expedition]

No, he took it to a paint shop, where they mixed a little bit of black with clear and sprayed the tail lights. As I said in my previous post, this method yields the best results.

Not sure if that's what he means, but I think Expedition was referring to the "DIY Harley tails" method when he mentioned opening the lights up. Basically, you take the lights apart, set the plastic half aside, mask off the reflector bowls, scuff the chrome and spray it black. When you put it back together, the light "looks" darker, without affecting reducing light output one bit.

Exactly couldn't of said it better myself!

 

[mike]

No, he took it to a paint shop, where they mixed a little bit of black with clear and sprayed the tail lights. As I said in my previous post, this method yields the best results.

OK, Cool. Thats what I did with my Magnum, C6 and 370Z, and what I will be doing with the Expo. Just looking at alternate methods.

 

[GAINMOB]

its settled...i dont want to F it up...paint shop.

 

[Expedition]

You made the right choice!

 

[GAINMOB]

so how much should i expect this to cost? 402, what do you guys charge for this type of job?

 

[Expedition]

My guy did it for free.. he normally charges $60. I've seen others charge from $40 all the way to $150.

 

[GAINMOB]

$60 is reasonable...i'm not paying $150

 

[GAINMOB]

OK...so i figured...what the heck...i'll give it a try on spray tinting my tail lights. i'm happy...but i'm not happy...

Happy: that i was able to complete the task and was able to find everything that was need.
Happy: that i was able to achieve the desired look on ONE of the tail lights
Not Happy: that i was only able to achieve the desired look on ONE of the tail lights
Not Happy: that i over sprayed on the other tail light causing my to blackout both tails
Not Happy: that it doesnt have a shine to it...i put 5 coats of clear...i know i didnt sand it off!!!
Not Happy: the tape didnt stick well and came up a little when spraying

OVERALL SATISFACTION: MARGINAL

 

[GAINMOB]

forgot to add the pics so here you go...see below

1) before
2) scuffed w/1000 grit on truck...though it would be easier
3-4) removal of lights
5) removed and scuffed with 1000 grit

 

[GAINMOB]

dont have the program that some of you do to continuously add pics so i'm limited to 5 per...

1) deisred look
2) acceptable look with an overspay...cant see it
3) go/no go next to each other
4) go/no go (lil darker) next to each other

 

[GAINMOB]

well here are the last of the pics

1) finished product
2) finished product
3) finished on truck
4) finished on truck
5) finished, lights on

i would probably be happier with it if it had a shine...dont know what happened with the clear...4 coats!!!

 

[WHOISMOOTOO]

I'd take it to a paint shop to see if they can "salvage" them, you cant beat that paint shop clear coat its both durable and glossy

 

[GAINMOB]

thanks i'll give them a shot

 

[Expedition]

no offense i'm just going to be honest those look like crap, this is the same reason i didn't intent to do it myself, because i dont have exprience with that stuff, i think you should take them to a body shop and have them start all over them

 

[402 Motoring]

I'd take it to a paint shop to see if they can "salvage" them, you cant beat that paint shop clear coat its both durable and glossy

1. No quality paint shop would clear over that

2. 99% of ordinary "everyday" collision repairs don't have a clue on how to properly tint lamps or customize cars for that matter....