Taillight blackout...How to????

[ProtoType5]

Planning on blacking out my 2002 proto5 Taillights. Thinking about doing it the same way as the front, but am confuzed about if I should just paint the lense with smoke/blackout paint, or should I take the lense apart and do the inside reflector deal like the front. Any experience, products, or how to take the rear lights out would be helpful. Want to do it this weekend so ASAP....Here's the front....Looks like they molded from plastic 3 coats primer - 3 coats paint. Looks sweeeeet.....

 

[mountjonas]

from what i've read, don't bake the rear lights. they don't stand up to the heat and will melt. everyone who's blacked them out has either sprayed them using a nite shades type product or vinyl.

 

[ProtoType5]

Sweet, I would have melted them if I went for painting the inside shiny parts. Can you dissassemble the housings and spray the inside of the lense???? or should I just buy the Altezza Black housings set for about $90.00 with shipping????

 

[Protephile]

This may help but you have to read through it a bit...

http://www.mazda3club.com/showthread.php?t=40008&page=2&pp=15&highlight=tinted+lights

 

[ProtoType5]

I think I got it, I'm going with the Nite Shades and clear coat on the tail lights and side markers. I found a good link on some prep work and sanding necessary for a great finish.

The site listed steps as follows

1)Remove light housings - duhhhh
2)Clean them up with soap/windex
3)Sand off any raised lettering - 800 grit - to make an even surface
4)Sand entire surface with 1500 girt/wet to lightly scuff for adhesion
5)Clean surface with rubbing alchohol
6)Mask off
7)Paint - lightly and about 3-15 coats as needed with 10 mins betweeen
8)Clear Coat - wait a few hours and apply clear coat 2-3 coats 20 min between. Let dry completely.
9)UnMask and Reassemble

Let me know if this sounds right. I'm freaked out by sanding the surface. I may just clean with rubbing alchohol and go from there....Any suggestions. (five-0) Besides staying away from these guys when I'm done.

 

[vindication]

I never sanded the surface of my tails. just cleaned well to get rid of oils and dirt. then did a few coats of niteshades(depends on how dark you want them) and a few coats of clearcoat(I used duplicolor clear engine enamel) and it looks great.

 

[InFlames]

yea you dont really have to sand the surface. Clean it well and be light with the coats. IMHO nightshades sucks, ive used it and it really doesnt control tint that well. I used an imported spray and i was happy with the results. Make sure you use a clear coat aswell....

teh essarrtee

 

[ghettobubba2001]

i wouldnt leave it cleaned with windex.... spray windex to clean it up then like pour water over it i guess and wipe it down with a towel...

 

[TampaSport20]

Wipe down with alcohol....no residue

 

[vindication]

no. only 3 nuts in the back and then you have to pull a little hard for it to pop out. easy fo sheezy

 

[vindication]

ohh, you have a P5. not exactly sure. but they're just trim pieces. it'll prob take 10 min to get both tails out.

 

[LEXi73]

so you all recommend using a high gloss black insted of a product like nightshades? interesting. just very light multiple coats then? and finnish with a clear laquor

 

[vindication]

nah, all I do is remove the little platics clips, then remove the plastic that is at the base of the trunk door, then pull back the side trim piece just enough to get my hand and a socket in there and tada, its done. takes me about 2 min to remove both lights

 

[vindication]

so you all recommend using a high gloss black insted of a product like nightshades? interesting. just very light multiple coats then? and finnish with a clear laquor

I dont know what others are talking bout but if you do it right, niteshades looks great. I had no probs. Just need some clearcoat at the end cause niteshades doesn't shine too good.

 

[msp35]

Niteshades is awesome. As long as you take your time it will turn out great.

 

[Scooter_TO]

Isnt getting the taillamps out a b**** though?? it looks like it..... i've never attempted and i'm kinda scared to do it given my lack of patience and all....

Removing the tails on a P5 is just as easy. If you look inside the hatch behind wher the lights are, you will find 3 circles on the driver's side, and one on the passenger side. Each circle has one small tab part that you can push inward and then pull the circle cap out (towards the front of the car).

Once these are out, you will find one nut under each one. Use a long socket and remove the nut (I believe it's 10mm,...can't remember off-hand). Careful not to drop the nut inside otherwise it's a bit of a PITA to get back out.

The 3rd nut ont he passenger side can be found by removing the cover to the jack. It's in the same spot as the one on the driver's side, but there's no plastic cover over it due to the jack compartment.

Once the nuts are out, you can slide the tails out. You might have to wiggle them a little bit to losen them.

Once you have the taild out, turn the bulb harness counter clockwise and pull the bulbs out. The wires are hooked under a little plastic tab on the bottom.

The tails should now be seperate form the car. You can clean them, and the mask whatever you don't want to spray. Do your stuff, and then re-assemble everything int he opposite order from above.

 

[ProtoType5]

Anyone ever have probs with the five-o for tinting the tails??? (deadhorse

 

[Scooter_TO]

Anyone ever have probs with the five-o for tinting the tails??? (deadhorse

Mine have been smoked for over 2.5 years and I haven't had any problems with the po-po yet (knocks on wood)

 

[rednecks_r_us]

I night shaded my side marker lights and they turned out nice.


As for my lights:

Headlights were baked then painted trim black. But after seeing other cars gloss black looks better.

Then I have the blue rockblocker headlight protection on my headlights & foglights.

I have smoked rockblocker on my tails.

www.rockblocker.com

If you search the picture you may be able to see the blue rockblocker on the headlights and fogs.

 

[vindication]

I dont care how hot the chick is, she aint layin over my hood. thats when they get pimp slapped