Spohn's Blacked Out Tails (Pics)
 

Well after some back and fourth I decided to paint my own tails with VHT paint instead of having done professionally. Without going into detail I should of had a shop do them. I'm actually going to have them redone next month when I have my door handles done.

It's just hard to get that perfect look with a spray can. But no big deal. They still look good from the pics. So here it goes.

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...Friends084.jpghttp://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...Friends085.jpg

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...Friends083.jpghttp://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...Friends081.jpg

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...Friends074.jpghttp://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...Friends075.jpg

They dont look too bad

In person at about three feet away you would see. Some of it was my fault and tried to do a quick fix. But no biggie.

that may not be too bad. have you tried to buff it up a bit?

Not yet. Up close there a little blotchy. More so in the clear part of the lens. I couldn't do nothing with it even when I add the second coat. Which originally I was aiming for one coat for the smoke look till I made a mishap.

well if you absolutely decide in the end, i know a set of used tail lights that could prolly be sold.

Also who are you gonna take em to to get redone?

Chris Call me to have them fixed...

PM me for my number.

PM sent

just polish those and make them shiny..

I don't like the shiny look at all. That's just me. I like the dull look.

oh i thought you wanted to re do them cuz they look dull xd

Nah. Just due to the blotchness from how the paint laid on the lens. I'm getting alot of comments on how more would like to them shiny. I'm just not that guy. I'm very bland.

I actually like the satin look on them

I'm thinking we use automotive grade paint but we can't use matte clear as it disperses the light too much... We tried that option on a truck light and it didn't come out as good as we hoped. I am going to talk it over with my painter to see what we can do to get this same look.

Mike

Thanks

:tup: That would be cool. I'm also going to be talking to another here about it also, being he works in a shop. I'll see what type of info I get first. I also want to just go ahead and have the door handles done.

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.

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:
http://www.the370z.com/members/jakes...clear-coat.jpg

This is the finished project:
http://www.the370z.com/members/jakes...6-finished.jpg

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.

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.

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. http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...p-install.html 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.

http://www.the370z.com/members/jakes...over-spray.jpg

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sounds like a great plan with the right priorities.

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

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.

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.

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

Getting a $100 refund for my tail light vinyl and got quoted $100 to get them painted at a shop my friend recommended. I think I will just get it from there and break even :tup:

i think im going to paint my 3rd brake light this weekend...

how long does it take the vht shades to dry?

If I remember correctly it's about and hour to dry to the touch but 24 before it's cured.

You won't regret it man, Frank does an excellent job