Nissan 370Z Forum

Nissan 370Z Forum (http://www.the370z.com/)
-   Exterior & Interior (http://www.the370z.com/exterior-interior/)
-   -   blacked out taillights (http://www.the370z.com/exterior-interior/31000-blacked-out-taillights.html)

Z RATED OKC 02-01-2011 09:33 AM

blacked out taillights
 
i know its sorta a newby question but what works best? ive heard problems with overlay

1325 02-01-2011 09:51 AM

You can have a paint shop spray them or do it yourself with VHT Nite-Shades.

Z RATED OKC 02-01-2011 10:32 AM

thanks for the feedback i'll probably have a shop do it.

Mike 02-01-2011 10:44 AM

a shop will give you the best results and not that expensive. I paid under 400 for my taillights and door handles, and that included them removing and reinstalling everything.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9452/tails1r.jpg

ClemsonWill 02-01-2011 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike (Post 921289)
a shop will give you the best results and not that expensive. I paid under 400 for my taillights and door handles, and that included them removing and reinstalling everything.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9452/tails1r.jpg

That's not bad at all. :tup:

SPOHN 02-01-2011 11:13 AM

Hey Mike, whats the name of this shop where is it at? Thanks.

whoady4shoady 02-01-2011 01:02 PM

What do most shops charge for just the tail lights?

Mike 02-01-2011 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN (Post 921340)
Hey Mike, whats the name of this shop where is it at? Thanks.

Autoglo in Tucker.
AUTOGLO Collision Center

bullitt5897 02-01-2011 03:21 PM

Also check out ArtCraft Collision they are cheaper and do an insane job! Ask For JEFF or DEBBIE Brown!

Collision Repair Smyrna, Marietta, Georgia, GA, Auto Repair, Body Shop, Brakes, Towing

Tell them Mike Mixon sent you and ask if they will give you the car club discount ;)

http://www.the370z.com/members/bulli...8-img-0608.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...7/IMG_1146.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...7/DSC_4437.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...7/DSC_4438.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...7/DSC_4439.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...7/DSC_4441.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...7/DSC_4225.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...7/DSC_4228.jpg

SPOHN 02-01-2011 04:22 PM

Thanks guys. I defiantly want this done. Especially the door handles.

CATCHINZZZS 02-01-2011 05:04 PM

Thse tails looks sick nice job, KINDOF OFFTOPIC But does any one know how to take these things off meaning taillights Ive tried from the DIY but these things wont budge PITA im afraid I might crack them. would apreciate any help or input ...

Sundown 02-01-2011 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATCHINZZZS (Post 922082)
Thse tails looks sick nice job, KINDOF OFFTOPIC But does any one know how to take these things off meaning taillights Ive tried from the DIY but these things wont budge PITA im afraid I might crack them. would apreciate any help or input ...

I had the same problem with mine. The use of the word "forward" made me think of toward the front of the car. The lights actually slide rear-ward. If you're standing behind the car, pull them backward. If you're standing on the side of the car, push away from you. Either way, they come out toward the rear of the car. You have to have both 10mm bolts removed and the 5/16 nut removed before they'll budge.

Sundown 02-01-2011 06:57 PM

Catchinzzzs,

You're inbox is full. Clear some out and I'll send you a reply.

Baer383 02-01-2011 07:27 PM

I work in a body shop had mine sprayed for free.:happydance:

SPOHN 02-02-2011 05:52 AM

Ok. I'm coming to you then. I want the same deal as you got.:tup:

eddieconfetti 02-02-2011 04:43 PM

Me too. be glad to go to your shop for free. plus a dollar for tip. and you are not that far from me.

SPOHN 02-02-2011 07:13 PM

I can do better. I'll buy you lunch.

JaredGraves 02-02-2011 10:06 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Just my opinion....but doing this yourself is suuuuuper easy, I had never done anything like this before but was amazed how simple it was.

I followed the DIY here http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...p-install.html
Yeah its for a fog light install, but shows how to remove the tail lights.

Anyways, heres what I did in super easy steps if it helps.

1 - 1200 wet sand prep, clean with isopropyl alcohol after.
2 - 2 EVEN coats VHT nite shades, 1 hour apart (dont overdo it!)
3 - left it to dry over night
4 - 1200 wet sand, clean with isopropyl alcohol
5 - a very thin 3rd coat of nite shades
6 - left a further 12 hours to dry
7 - very thorough and careful 1500 wet sand, clean with isopropyl alcohol
8 - thorough rub down (use a fair bit of pressure) with Meguires Ultimate Compound and a microfiber cloth to get the mirror finish.
9 - reinstall tails and your done!

I kept my coats light as I didnt want the full black look and wanted to keep it legal (here in Australia the lights need to be visible from 200m away (approx 600ft) but they are plenty dark still.

I guarantee it couldnt have been done any better by a shop, mine came out mirror perfect, it just needs some patience! Give yourself a weekend to get it done properly.

side note, and again its my opinion, but dont do the entire tail, leave the clear section as it is, to me if the whole thing is black it looks tacky/too much.
Its also very satisfying to do it yourself and see how good the outcome is when you put some love into it. and safe yourself $$ too!

SPOHN 02-02-2011 10:17 PM

I'd love to. But I'm just paying for a peace of mind. I'll remove the tail lights and my door handles myself and take it to them. Cutting some cost there. I was so close to doing my headlights myself but bailed and sent them off. I was going to have to take them to a painter to have them color matched anyways. So I opted for the one stop shop.

eddieconfetti 02-03-2011 08:26 AM

I dont mind installing performance parts myself, but stuff like this....i rather have someone else do it for me. Haha spohn, we can go together. You bring the lunch and ill bring the beer.

Bluebatmobile 02-03-2011 10:08 AM

My Authorized Installers have installed many of my 370z Overlays ;).

Bat

SPOHN 02-03-2011 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddieconfetti (Post 924472)
I dont mind installing performance parts myself, but stuff like this....i rather have someone else do it for me. Haha spohn, we can go together. You bring the lunch and ill bring the beer.

Now your talking.

Mike 02-03-2011 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaredGraves (Post 923967)
Just my opinion....but doing this yourself is suuuuuper easy, I had never done anything like this before but was amazed how simple it was.

I followed the DIY here http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...p-install.html
Yeah its for a fog light install, but shows how to remove the tail lights.

Anyways, heres what I did in super easy steps if it helps.

1 - 1200 wet sand prep, clean with isopropyl alcohol after.
2 - 2 EVEN coats VHT nite shades, 1 hour apart (dont overdo it!)
3 - left it to dry over night
4 - 1200 wet sand, clean with isopropyl alcohol
5 - a very thin 3rd coat of nite shades
6 - left a further 12 hours to dry
7 - very thorough and careful 1500 wet sand, clean with isopropyl alcohol
8 - thorough rub down (use a fair bit of pressure) with Meguires Ultimate Compound and a microfiber cloth to get the mirror finish.
9 - reinstall tails and your done!

I kept my coats light as I didnt want the full black look and wanted to keep it legal (here in Australia the lights need to be visible from 200m away (approx 600ft) but they are plenty dark still.

I guarantee it couldnt have been done any better by a shop, mine came out mirror perfect, it just needs some patience! Give yourself a weekend to get it done properly.

side note, and again its my opinion, but dont do the entire tail, leave the clear section as it is, to me if the whole thing is black it looks tacky/too much.
Its also very satisfying to do it yourself and see how good the outcome is when you put some love into it. and safe yourself $$ too!

I commend you for doing a great job, but I can make more powdercoating in the time it would have taken me to do them myself. Same reason I don't cut my own grass or do anything around the house any more. Its cheaper to pay someone and earn twice as much while they are doing the job.

JaredGraves 02-04-2011 05:09 PM

Yeah fair enough, but keep in mind that I might have done mine over a weekend, but It didnt take much time to do it....45 mins total time taking the tails out and putting them back in when done, maybe 30-40 minutes total sanding time, 10 minutes with the compound, 10 minutes taping up the clear section, and 5 minutes actual spraying time, add another random 20 minutes for general fluffing about and I really spent no more than 2 hours on them, apart from that I was taking care of other things.

I can certainly see your side though, and the side of anyone who wants to get them professionally done, but I love doing stuff like this myself, and I know many others do too! Many people dont work weekends, and I find stuff like this a great weekend activity!

I guess what im trying to say then is. If anyone enjoys a bit of DIY, and has any form of painting experience, then I think this is right up their alley!

Baer383 02-04-2011 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN (Post 923731)
I can do better. I'll buy you lunch.

And on top of that,they sprayed them for free and they came out slick,no wet sanding of buffing required. :excited:

SPOHN 02-04-2011 08:33 PM

I guess we all have are little hook ups here and there.

onefastz 02-05-2011 07:11 AM

There are a shops out there that will do it for under $200. I got mine done and was priced at $150, and they threw in the 3rd brake light for free. It looks good if you get your emblems sprayed black to match it too

NewYorkJon34 02-05-2011 08:41 AM

:worthless:

SPOHN 02-05-2011 08:50 AM

The third brake light is a must.

CATCHINZZZS 02-05-2011 08:54 AM

Just picked up mine from my painter lastnight looks sick. Got a good as deal. If any one interested shoot me a pm. Ill get some done if you pay for shipping..
Will try and get pics havin trouble postin..

NewYorkJon34 02-05-2011 09:03 AM

go through photobucket, its easier

kdrshocker 02-05-2011 02:53 PM

i just did mine last night... used VHT, wet sanded, clear coat, wet sanded, 3m rubbing compound, polish, then wax. BTW the third brake light is a PITA!!!! sorry for the crappy pics, took them on my cell.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...stuff/car3.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...stuff/car2.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...stuff/car1.jpg

SPOHN 02-05-2011 03:11 PM

Looks good. I can see how the third light is a pain being small. Nice other car.

kdrshocker 02-07-2011 04:35 PM

thanks, i got back from a deployment, re-enlisted, got a divorce, and picked up a numbers matching 69 stingray. i love that car...

SPOHN 02-07-2011 06:39 PM

Well you been busy.

fairladyZ34 02-07-2011 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdrshocker (Post 930877)
thanks, i got back from a deployment, re-enlisted, got a divorce, and picked up a numbers matching 69 stingray. i love that car...

my dad has three that hes been waiting to fix up with me. hopefully we'll have a lot more time soon to do so


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