Spohn's Blacked Out Tails (Pics)

bullitt5897 · 06-19-2011, 10:56 AM

Cool we can take care of your handles too. You have my number just give me a shout and we will get you taken care of

SPOHN · 06-19-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt@UAMotorsports

Cool we can take care of your handles too. You have my number just give me a shout and we will get you taken care of

I'll defiantly give you a shout this week.

JAKES Z · 07-06-2011, 02:14 PM

I did something similar using VHT with my tails, but masked the white part. They got dull like this after the two light layers of clear coat. I used dupli-color crystal clear acrylic enamel. What would be the best way to buff these to get a better shine on there? I was hoping the white part of my tails would keep the OEM look-- no haze, just perfectly clear.

This is before the clear coat:

This is the finished project:

Sorry if this is going a bit off the OP's original topic as he already suggested he wasn't looking for a gloss/shine look on this tails, but this is the closest thread I could find regarding this.

b1adesofcha0s · 07-06-2011, 02:36 PM

I've been thinking about doing the VHT myself on my tail lights. However, I do like the shiny look better, so anyone have any advice on how to get that?

I'm a complete noob when it comes to working on my own car, but would it be possible to do this with the lights still on the car. Maybe just use painter's tape or something to mask off the surrounding areas and just get the lights. The Z is my only car and I work 6 days a week so having to take them out will be a huge PITA. How long does the process take from start to end? If I can do it within a day, I can use my one day off.

docaam · 07-06-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

I've been thinking about doing the VHT myself on my tail lights. However, I do like the shiny look better, so anyone have any advice on how to get that?

I'm a complete noob when it comes to working on my own car, but would it be possible to do this with the lights still on the car. Maybe just use painter's tape or something to mask off the surrounding areas and just get the lights. The Z is my only car and I work 6 days a week so having to take them out will be a huge PITA. How long does the process take from start to end? If I can do it within a day, I can use my one day off.

if you can get hold of some painter it would be better I asked the guy to make a mixture of 2 part black paint and 8part clear coat and spray two coats, then some wet sanding and then wax polish. Total it will take an hour max.

JAKES Z · 07-06-2011, 02:54 PM

You can easily do this in a few hours (if you've never removed tails/painted before) from start to finish. There's a few DIYs that show you how to remove the plastic in the back and get at the tail lights; It's very easy. DIY: of complete FOG LAMP install I used the parts of this DIY that show how to remove the tails.

The third break light is a pain in the *** to remove so I chose to leave it on, mask behind, and paint on the car-- It was painless.

SPOHN · 07-06-2011, 03:11 PM

That's what i did, masked off the hole rear. Much easier. Just get the masking tape behind the light using a card of some sort to push in behind.

To the op, nice turn out on your lights.

b1adesofcha0s · 07-06-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docaam

if you can get hold of some painter it would be better I asked the guy to make a mixture of 2 part black paint and 8part clear coat and spray two coats, then some wet sanding and then wax polish. Total it will take an hour max.

Cool. I wouldn't be able to get a mixture from the painter and do it myself though. Just trying to save some money by using the VHT instead of getting it done professionally. Also, it's always fun to work on your own car. Had my first experience yesterday with installing an exhaust on my car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

That's what i did, masked off the hole rear. Much easier. Just get the masking tape behind the light using a card of some sort to push in behind.

To the op, nice turn out on your lights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAKES Z

You can easily do this in a few hours (if you've never removed tails/painted before) from start to finish. There's a few DIYs that show you how to remove the plastic in the back and get at the tail lights; It's very easy. DIY: of complete FOG LAMP install I used the parts of this DIY that show how to remove the tails.

The third break light is a pain in the *** to remove so I chose to leave it on, mask behind, and paint on the car-- It was painless.

Thanks guys! Looks like with enough masking/prep I should be ok to do it without taking the lights out. Any issues with leaving it in the sun or anything? I should probably keep it away from trees if I can to avoid pollen getting into the paint before it dries. Don't have a garage of my own, so I may need to leave it in my cousin's garage for a few hours.

birdmanx1 · 07-06-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

Thanks guys! Looks like with enough masking/prep I should be ok to do it without taking the lights out. Any issues with leaving it in the sun or anything? I should probably keep it away from trees if I can to avoid pollen getting into the paint before it dries. Don't have a garage of my own, so I may need to leave it in my cousin's garage for a few hours.

Man, I would have it done professionally if I were you; not only you get peace of mind but if anything happens, they will cover the costs. Do it once, do it right; if you do it yourself and end up not satisfied with the result, you would have wasted time and resources and would spend more to have it fixed. Just my opinion man of course.

b1adesofcha0s · 07-06-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdmanx1

Man, I would have it done professionally if I were you; not only you get peace of mind but if anything happens, they will cover the costs. Do it once, do it right; if you do it yourself and end up not satisfied with the result, you would have wasted time and resources and would spend more to have it fixed. Just my opinion man of course.

Going to find out the cost first. At the worst it will be a waste of like $20-30 and it will be a good learning experience. If I get it done from a shop, they would have to sand it down first anyway which would get rid of the VHT. The money I save could be put towards something more important like tires. Just a thought so far, need to get some prices from shops before I make a decision. If its not more than $150, I will let a shop do it.

birdmanx1 · 07-07-2011, 07:10 AM

Sounds like a great plan with the right priorities.

daisuke149 · 07-07-2011, 08:29 AM

Its gonna be around 150 for a good shop. If you got friends at shops they may cut it down to 100 ish

JAKES Z · 07-08-2011, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

I've been thinking about doing the VHT myself on my tail lights. However, I do like the shiny look better, so anyone have any advice on how to get that?

After getting the dull look that the OP had on his tails, I wet sanded with 2000 -> 1500 -> 2000 again and then used a buffing compound such as Meguiars (or anything similar should work fine).

Lights turned out exactly how I wanted and they look much better than when they had the hazy orange peel look/texture. If I had to do it over again, I'd still do it myself as it was a learning experience in taking the back end apart as well as spraying clear coat. There's not too much that can go wrong and worst case you just need to buy new tails if you hate the end result.

pro-tect mbl · 07-08-2011, 07:00 AM

Here is a great option without having to paint the lights. There are different shades and even a few colors. Its a film very similar to paint protection film but its prefectly smooth and can easily be removed. Down here in Texas tinted lights are illegal so you cant get your vehicle registered with them tinted. With this option you can easily peel them off then re-apply the new ones.

SPOHN · 07-08-2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAKES Z

. There's not too much that can go wrong and worst case you just need to buy new tails if you hate the end result.

The paint can be stripped off completly and redone. No need to buy more.

06-19-2011, 10:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	Cool we can take care of your handles too. You have my number just give me a shout and we will get you taken care of __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*

07-06-2011, 02:36 PM	#19 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 141	I've been thinking about doing the VHT myself on my tail lights. However, I do like the shiny look better, so anyone have any advice on how to get that? I'm a complete noob when it comes to working on my own car, but would it be possible to do this with the lights still on the car. Maybe just use painter's tape or something to mask off the surrounding areas and just get the lights. The Z is my only car and I work 6 days a week so having to take them out will be a huge PITA. How long does the process take from start to end? If I can do it within a day, I can use my one day off. __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

07-06-2011, 03:11 PM	#22 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	That's what i did, masked off the hole rear. Much easier. Just get the masking tape behind the light using a card of some sort to push in behind. To the op, nice turn out on your lights. __________________

07-07-2011, 07:10 AM	#26 (permalink)
birdmanx1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD Age: 95 Posts: 3,175 Drives: 370z Nismo Rep Power: 24	Sounds like a great plan with the right priorities. __________________ 370Z NISMO #0462 \| ClearBra \| 3M tint \| Head/Taillights \| Dynamat \| Black Roof \| Tommy Kaira HB \| CF Parts \| Berk HFCs \| FI SS \| NST Pulleys \| Takeda aFe \| K&N \| H&R Spacers \| Swift Spec R \| SPC F&R \| Zuperman M370 Nismo Vid \| Nismo Journal \| Nismo Rumble

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07-06-2011, 02:14 PM	#18 (permalink)
JAKES Z Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 16 Drives: 2016 AWD Rogue Rep Power: 14	I did something similar using VHT with my tails, but masked the white part. They got dull like this after the two light layers of clear coat. I used dupli-color crystal clear acrylic enamel. What would be the best way to buff these to get a better shine on there? I was hoping the white part of my tails would keep the OEM look-- no haze, just perfectly clear. This is before the clear coat: This is the finished project: Sorry if this is going a bit off the OP's original topic as he already suggested he wasn't looking for a gloss/shine look on this tails, but this is the closest thread I could find regarding this.

07-06-2011, 02:54 PM	#21 (permalink)
JAKES Z Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 16 Drives: 2016 AWD Rogue Rep Power: 14	You can easily do this in a few hours (if you've never removed tails/painted before) from start to finish. There's a few DIYs that show you how to remove the plastic in the back and get at the tail lights; It's very easy. DIY: of complete FOG LAMP install I used the parts of this DIY that show how to remove the tails. The third break light is a pain in the *** to remove so I chose to leave it on, mask behind, and paint on the car-- It was painless.

07-07-2011, 08:29 AM	#27 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	Its gonna be around 150 for a good shop. If you got friends at shops they may cut it down to 100 ish

07-08-2011, 07:00 AM	#29 (permalink)
pro-tect mbl Banned Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 24 Drives: 2007 Jeep SRT-8 Rep Power: 0	Here is a great option without having to paint the lights. There are different shades and even a few colors. Its a film very similar to paint protection film but its prefectly smooth and can easily be removed. Down here in Texas tinted lights are illegal so you cant get your vehicle registered with them tinted. With this option you can easily peel them off then re-apply the new ones.