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Home > User Content > DIY / Install Guides > DIY: Tail Light Tints

DIY: Tail Light Tints

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Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

I just re did my tail lights yesterday and they came out pretty good. Just thought i'd put together a little DIY. I know FLEA has one, this is basically the same exact thing but just right on the stockies and skipping the taping up parts he did on the TYC's

Before:




Clean them and scuff them up a bit with 1000 grit sand paper until the shine is removed, this helps the paint stick better to the plastic and help prevent runs




Shake up the VHT for a minute or 2, then do a very light broad coat about a foot from the light, just letting the paint stick to the surface. i call it a mist coat. Since the 1st coat is always the hardest, this helps the paint stick to the plastic for a good base coat. I do 2 of these to be safe.

1st mist coat:



2nd mist coat:



Wait about 4 or 5 minutes in between coats. keep adding coats about 5 to 6 inches from the light. If you run into drips or anything, wet sand that part lightly until it is removed. This is after about 6 coats or so of tint just keep adding coats until you reach the desired darkness:




Now wet sand with 1000 grit sandpaper again until it appears as a smooth and grey looking. You want to be sure everything is smooth so it appears smooth in the end with no orange peel and stuff. Now while i was wet sanding, i went over that one crease by the reverse light that goes vertical up to the top too much and the red showed through. I just taped it off and re tinted that part, wet sanded it again untilit matched the rest of the light:



Whole light wet sanded:



Now its time to clear. I recently started using UPOL #1 clear which i love and works a lot better and is able to be handled in about 2-3 hours. Like the first coats of tint, do 1 mist coat to set the base and help it stick. Then the clear can be applied in heavier coats than the tint. I o about 4 or 5 heavy coats to get that thick, glossy finish.

1st heavy coat:



After all clear. You can tell there is orange peel which is completely normal. We will get rid of it during the wet sanding:





You should be able to see reflections clearly:




I used to use the Duplicolor clear coat which I would let dry overnight, but this stuff only takes 2 or 3 hours. After 2 - 3 hours, lightly wet sand with 1000 grit at first, then when its almost completely smooth,move to 1500 grit to make everything smoothed out.

After sanding:




Now time to buff em out.

It is best to use a buffer, if you try by hand, i dont wanna know how long it will take.

Its basically 4 coats of 3 things. Rubbing Compound (I use 3M), then Meguiears Scratch-X, then a Wax ( I use Meguiars Hi Tech Yellow Wax).

After 3M Rubbing Compound, this brings the black and some shine back:



After Plastic-X:




After Hi Tech Yellow Wax:




Finished product:





Hope this helps out!


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Jul 22, 2008 01:29am
vastano1

Reg'd: Sep 06, 2006

Godlike Advisor

wow very detailed...good write up definitely

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[#] Jul 22, 2008 01:34am
tC_vixen

Reg'd: Aug 16, 2007



Stickied



CLICK HERE TO DONATE & HELP MAKE THIS WONDERFUL SITE OF OURS BETTER!
[#] Jul 22, 2008 02:49am
OldJersey

Reg'd: Jan 09, 2007

Vehicle Designer

those are so shiny


[#] Jul 22, 2008 02:53am
tinyscion

Reg'd: May 24, 2007

Detailer

That looks sick and shiny.

07 Black Sand Pearl, the prettiest thing in the trailer park.
[#] Jul 22, 2008 04:02am
VIP_tC08

Reg'd: Dec 02, 2007

Godlike Advisor

Great write up looks sick as hell


'08 // Flint Mica // tC
[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:11am
sp007

Reg'd: Jun 18, 2008

Detailer

It looks sick!! I think I will try doing mine as well!!

[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:30am
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

i do do them for customers so if u want them done let me know


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Jul 22, 2008 10:32am
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

just a quick shot with the lights on, i didnt have anyone with me to press the brake lol




2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Jul 23, 2008 12:12am
raz3091

Reg'd: May 31, 2008

Detailer

Nice lol. Ever get pulled over yet? ;P

[#] Jul 23, 2008 12:14am
audrey08

Reg'd: Nov 28, 2007

Tire Changer

Thatz look nice dude.

[#] Jul 23, 2008 12:20am
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

nope not once. i got asked about my tints before but not the lights lol


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Jul 23, 2008 12:22am
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

daytime shots with lights and brakes

nothing on:


headlights on:


brakes and reverse light on, my TBL isn't plugged in lol, i also have LED's for reverse


hazards/blinkers:




2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Jul 23, 2008 03:26pm
FrAnkRYzzO

Reg'd: Oct 21, 2005

$upervillain
for Hire

Wow, that's so much brighter then mine, lol! Looks great!

...............

Donate or one of these adorable kittens WILL DIE!
[#] Jul 23, 2008 03:37pm
TCizzle06

Reg'd: Aug 19, 2005

Detailer

Looks good...

[#] Jul 23, 2008 03:40pm
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

thanks guyss


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Jul 23, 2008 03:49pm
tCracer2006

Reg'd: Oct 27, 2006

Vehicle Designer

FrAnkRYzzO wrote:
Wow, that's so much brighter then mine, lol! Looks great!


That is so tru they are. Plus you dont have to squint when he breaks to see him either i bet. hahaha dude it looks mad sick. It looks dark as shit but the lights are bright as hell even with out the brake being hit. Great work. 5 Stars!!

[#] Jul 24, 2008 12:14am
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

triple post ftw? lol


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Jul 24, 2008 12:20am
reggeton87

Reg'd: Oct 22, 2007

Scion Guru

dam kid this looks great. i wanna tint mine but only the top part and then leave it red on the bottom.

Life is hard!! deal with it how ever you can! you do what you can and thats the bottom line.
[#] Jul 24, 2008 12:42am
ladiablette

Reg'd: Jul 13, 2008

Oil Changer

wow i love how the lights are bright even in daylight.. i just saw a car today with tinted tails that barely showed any lighting when he braked.. so i see you do it for ppl.. i just ordered some tails from ebay.. how much do you charge do do them?

[#] Jul 24, 2008 02:01am
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

$75 and i do them and ship them back in about 7 hours


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Aug 20, 2008 03:16pm
twiztidtC

Reg'd: Apr 12, 2008

Detailer

Thanks for the link in a previous post. I did them this weekend using this DYI. I went on the lighter side for now, just to see how it goes (I had tinted tails on my 06' and ran into some issues because they were too dark). Thanks for the awesome DYI!




Livin' Loud & Addicted to Bass
http://cardomain.com/ride/3086512
[#] Sep 15, 2008 06:11am
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

no problem, glad it helped, they look good in that pic!


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Sep 15, 2008 01:06pm
Aciidsneaker

Reg'd: Feb 24, 2007



Look's nice does your center tail light not work?



Scion Wiki ~~ Donate for the cause, make this site better!!
[#] Sep 15, 2008 01:11pm
Blckdouttc

Reg'd: Jul 22, 2008

Master Mechanic

it was disconnected in those pictures


2006 BSP tC

WANT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS TINTED? PM ME LIMITED TINT/CLEAR LEFT
[#] Sep 15, 2008 01:18pm
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