Taillight Tinting

[FordandPolaris]

I am wondering what those who have tinted their tails have used, as well as their process (# of coats, how long between each one, sanding, etc). Only product I know of is VHT Nightshade, but if you guys have used other stuff, feel free to pass it along. Obviously this is something I can't really afford to mess up as I need them to go back on the truck at least somewhat functional haha. I am adding an LED bar underneath the gate, so it will still have red on the back for cars behind me. Thanks in advance.

 

[rex450se]

This is what I used and the result I got. I did 1 light coat to start then a second heavier coat. I didn't do any prep work other than wiping them off with a wet paper towel. I was just using this to fill the time until I buy some smoked LED tail lights. I didn't do any sanding or anything else to polish them up. I'm sure they would polish up and look more professionally done, but for a temporary deal I think they look great. You can't see any orange peel or anything. As for the darkness, you can still see the lights with ease during the day or night with stock bulbs. I did tape off the reverse light for the first coat so it wasn't as dark but blends in great. Hope this helps.

Victor


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[FordandPolaris]

Yes that does help. I had read of people scuffing and sanding and what not. Honestly I do not feel like doing a whole lot of work on it haha, I was thinking about it and really I do have the third taillight that I can practice on, since it isn't nearly as important as the other two. Now just to decide which product to use, I'm guessing you didn't need more than one can right? Nice truck by the way!

 

[rex450se]

My brother in-law did his truck, then I did mine and there's enough for at least another vehicle. I'll get a picture from the rear to give you a better idea of how they look.

Victor

Thanks for the compliment on the looks, it's getting there slowly.

 

[rex450se]

Here's a couple from the back and one compared to a stock first gen's tail lights.

Victor


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[RockyF150]

I've done more than a few. However I doubt you'd be interested in buying an actual spray gun. I've always done tinted clear. In other words actual clear coat and tinting it with a transluscent black. More coats or more mixed the darker the tails. I did a buddy's cobra that he wanted just dark enough to match the factory tinted 3rd brake. I've completely blacked tails out as well. The factory bulbs still worked just fine for visibility and when light hits the tails they still reflect red.

Doing the cheaper rattle cans. You'll want to scuff up the light, Grey scotch brite pad would work. Spray the tint (whichever u decide on). Do howmany ever coats to acheive the amount of tint u want...and I would suggest getting a spray clear and clearing them.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Good information fellas. Thanks for the input, I actually do own a spray gun, my great uncle bought it brand new in the 70's and never used it, so its still in its box haha. However its probably cheaper and easier to just use the rattle cans (I have no idea how to work the thing anyways). The rest of my truck is pretty beat up, so Im not too worried about perfection, however I will scuff the lights so that the tint sticks to them better. As soon as we get a little warmer weather I will probably do it up.

 

[Mikes05expy]

View attachment 5818
View attachment 5819

This is what I used and the result I got. I did 1 light coat to start then a second heavier coat. I didn't do any prep work other than wiping them off with a wet paper towel. I was just using this to fill the time until I buy some smoked LED tail lights. I didn't do any sanding or anything else to polish them up. I'm sure they would polish up and look more professionally done, but for a temporary deal I think they look great. You can't see any orange peel or anything. As for the darkness, you can still see the lights with ease during the day or night with stock bulbs. I did tape off the reverse light for the first coat so it wasn't as dark but blends in great. Hope this helps.

Victor


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You're only using your expy off-road now like the can suggests right??? LOL

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[RockyF150]

Oh yeh. That is one thing to not forget. Definitly need warmer temps.

 

[11:59]

Tail lights

I have a 1997 Eddie all black I was looking to get some rear European brake lights but I was up one morning messing with my rear lights and came up with the idea to paint them black and tape off the parts to stay red...I use a black satin paint about 4 to 5 coats each light came out great

 

[JTKustoms]

I've done a few sets for people and have had great results, i'll list off my steps:
1) wetsand light with 2000 grit so dull it slightly
2) clean with dish soap to degrease them
3) apply multiple light coats until you reach the desired darkness
4) apply multiple coats of clear (majority of which will be wetsanded off)
5) once they have fully dried and hardened (atleast 24-48 hours to be safe) you'll wanna wetsand them back to being dull....the idea behind this is to get rid of all texture and orange peel so that they are perfectly smooth even though dull.
6) rubbing compound them (may need to do this multiple times), you will start to see the shine come back slightly.
7) polishing compound them (may need to do this multiple times), here you will really start to see the shine so keep going until you're happy with the gloss.
8) swirl mark remover (may need to do this multiple times), this will do exactly as it says and remove the fine swirls in it from the mild abrasives in the other compounds. Remember to use a clean cloth for each different compound.
9) Final step, apply a coat of wax to them and you should be all set

 

[EXPI2000]

I used VHT Nightshades and put on 3 coats on my tails. You can see them perfect in daylight too. I also did no prep work other than wiping dust and dirt off them. Turned out pretty well and has held up well even in many carwashes.

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[KWT2000]

i have used VHT on several vehicles,

sanded the lens with 800 grit, then 4 very lite coats of VHT let dry then sand with 1500 grit then 2 very lite coats of clear coat,

the clear coat gives them a shiny finish ill post some pics up tomorrow of the latest ones i did

 

[FordandPolaris]

Sounds good, thanks man.

 

[KWT2000]

here is a before and after on our G6




if you would like i can do some night time pics to show the light out put and visability