Opinions on tinted tail lights

[Wagonbacker9]

I wouldn't bother sanding before clearcoat. Just make sure its fully dry (as I believe that is what your problem was oritionally), if there wasn't a problem with it until your clearcoat, i KNOW this was the problem. I'm talking at LEAST a couple of hours. if you can do a day... great. I still call BS on this "mold release" idea...

As for prep, I would hit it thoroughally with rubbing alcohol (great degreaser and cleaner.. no residue, and unlikely to damage plastic) after you wetsand off your botched job... and make sure... SURE... SURE! that you're applying light, even coats, because from what I see on your first try, you were laying it on way too close... then put on another coat after 10 mins or so until it is the tint you're looking for. When you're happy with it... move to the clearcoat AFTER IT DRIES.

You may want to even practice with another can of spraypaint... what you're going for is BARELY covering the entire area you're painting. if you practice with an opaque paint it will be easier to understand.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

P.S. Never in my life thought I'd give that thorough of a How-To about spray painting....

 

[special--k]

lol... im sorry for your trouble dude, but this is making me laugh.
Cant wait to see what happens second time around.

 

[SpeedBuild]

haha i know, yeah i screwed up on these ones lol. thanks yeah i'll try these tips

 

[SpeedBuild]

btw I never applied clearcoat on those lights cause i paniced when they started turning milky white

 

[Wagonbacker9]

btw I never applied clearcoat on those lights cause i paniced when they started turning milky white

hmm... next try.. what was the temp out when you were spraying em?

 

[SpeedBuild]

I would say the temp was about 75 degrees, somewhere around that relative area

 

[blkspdfreak]

i dont know how that could of gotten that messed up. i just took my lights off, cleaned with soap and water, wiped them dry, did 4-5 coats in the sun (letting them dry between coats) and did 3-4 coats of clear. no problems.



the one on the left looks lighter but thats how the sun was in the morning.

 

[SpeedBuild]

Oh okay, blkspdfreak does light show through those good? I was also considering vinly too lol. I saw another guy with it and they look hot

 

[blkspdfreak]

they work great. the military is strict about vehicle lighting entering and leaving base. ive never been stoped or anything. at night time it shows great. with the vinyl, im not a big fan unless its done right. i see accords with a piece of vinyl slaped on with a circle in it and it looks like ass. nightshade is the way to go.

 

[K. Soze]

I'm actually interested in tinting just the reverse light part of the tails. Anyone got any pics of that?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I know there are quite a few... I assume you mean the reverse and turn signal...

 

[K. Soze]

Yea. Leave everything else the stock red but tint the reverse part.

 

[Rush]

I'm actually interested in tinting just the reverse light part of the tails. Anyone got any pics of that?

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123712121

 

[SpeedBuild]

Alright I'm trying it tomorrow I guess with 3-4 coats, not sure yet.

 

[K. Soze]

I looked through that thread. I didn't see any the way I described.

 

[SpeedBuild]

look at sandspeedsm, he has his like what you're talking about.

 

[boostandboobies]

id spray the turnsignal area black

 

[special--k]

i got to say, that i dont really like the look of the stock lights tinted...
maybe its just me, but they always look a little odd.

 

[Ricktalife]

i liked the look of my 04 spec v tails better.