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How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

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  • How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

    Well it seems that on every forum I frequent, there are multiple threads at once asking, "how do I tint my tail lights!?". I for one have grown tired of them, so perhaps we could sticky this or just point people towards this. Some of the steps are extremely redundant, but sometimes people still ask me, "how do I get my tail lights out".

    Using the products, Niteshades and spray clear

    Step One: Open your trunk


    Step Two: Remove the two black plastic retainers (normally will hold your cargo net up), pull back the carpet, and remove two 10 mm nuts. Remove the two torx (20) bolts that hold on the black trim around the trunk opening portion of the light assembly. Do this for both sides





    Step Three: Remove third brake light just the same, minus the carpet. Remove two 10 mm bolts, release the silver prongs that are inside the trunk lid itself, and un-snap wiring connector with a flat head screw driver. No pictures here, figured it was pretty self explanatory.

    OPTIONAL: SKIP TO STEP 7 IF YOU WOULD PREFER A SOLID TINTED TAIL LIGHT

    Step Four: Thoroughly clean the tail light surface, particularly around the reverse lights.
    Step Five: Mask with good quality masking tape, overlaping and over running the reverse lens surface.


    Step Six: Trim around the reverse portion of the tail light. There is a slight groove around this area, so trace it with a pen if you coordination isn't all that good. This is the groove you want to cut along, if you go on the inside of it, you will have some clear portion tinted, go to the outside, and the ugly stock red will show. Take your time, this is one of the most crucial steps.



    Step Seven: This step is not necessary, but I personally find that the product will both stick better and have a more even appearance. Scuff the surface with 1000 grit sand paper. try to do this in a similar motion across the entire tail light.


    Step Eight: Clean the surface of the lenses with a wax and grease remover. This can be found at most automotive supply shops. I have seen people use windex for this purpose, as it is a strong ammonia based cleaner, but I still like to use the real stuff. I advise against the use of windex for this purpose. Once you have cleaned the surface, DO NOT TOUCH THE LENS SURFACE. If you are clumsy, wear some rubber gloves.

    Step Nine: Once ready to shoot your nite shades product, give it one quick run over with a tack cloth or a lint free cloth to ensure there are no contaminants on the surface.

    Step Ten: Spray one lite coat of niteshades over the lens, while holding the can at approximately 6 inchs from the lens. This is your tack coat.


    Step Eleven: Spray as many flow coats of niteshades as you would like. A flow coat will be enough product to not look wrinkly or stubbly once applied. For my vehicle, I chose only one flow coat. I was looking for a mild tint, which would not attract much attention from the po po. I'd say this is what most light colored vehicle owners would want, but black and darker colors may chose to use two for that blacked out appearance.



    Step Twelve: After waiting roughly 1 hour to allow the product to tack up properly, then apply a tack coat of clear coat. VERY light application is recommended, simply because I've seen adverse reaction with some clears and niteshades. I'm not sure if this is because of the outgassing process, or because niteshades is a etching product.

    Step Thirteen: Apply a flow coat of clear. Try to avoid laying it on to heavy and getting runs, but if you do get one, don't worry too much. We can handle this in the sanding stages. Allow the clear coat to cure for an hour.



    Step Fourteen: This is completely optional. I prefer to bake the product to aid the curing process. This is will also considerably cut down on the curing time. Set your oven on convection and 125 oF. If you cannot select a convection setting, I would recommend skipping this step as the direct heat may crack the lenses. Ensure proper ventilation. I have my stove vented directly into the exhaust fan for my microwave, however, I still used the vent on the microwave to pull what ever other fumes may be present.





    Step Fifteen: Admire your finished product!



    Luckily my lights didn't require any sanding or polishing. If yours do, feel free to PM me and I can walk you through the sanding and polishing process. However, the jizt of it is, wetsand with 2000 grit to remove knubs or runs. Have someone polish them with a orbital buffer, or if you'd like to attempt this yourself, pick up some body shop safe compound and polish. Go to town buffing them back to a gloss (this will take forever by hand, so be patient).

    Pictures on the car in a bit.
    2006 Pontiac G6 GT with Panoroof

  • #2
    Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

    Very nice write up. They look real nice. This thread might get more visability in the "How To" section though. What do you think GT-R, bump??

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

      tagging this thread
      sigpic

      2004 LS1 A4 Quicksilver w/ Red Interior 1 of 301 -

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      Fully modded G6 GTP-TRADED

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      • #4
        Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

        Originally posted by oldmanvette1975
        Very nice write up. They look real nice. This thread might get more visability in the "How To" section though. What do you think GT-R, bump??
        Whoops, thats where it should have been.

        Ok, before/after:

        Before, stock:



        After:





        Still nice and bright when lit:



        2006 Pontiac G6 GT with Panoroof

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        • #5
          Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

          [quote="zach4u2c"]



          Look whats for dinner tonight!!


          roasted tinted tail light in its juices....


          Excellent writeup!!

          what clear did you use?

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

            Dude those look AWESOME. Almost the exact shade I want. Great how to

            Is that a custom plate?

            G6 - 240sx - Lancer - 325is - WRX

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

              Originally posted by mike91y2k
              Dude those look AWESOME. Almost the exact shade I want. Great how to

              Is that a custom plate?
              No sir. Just happend to get that number. My mother hates it when I come over and she see's it.

              I used some Rondex brand clear, any automotive clear will work though.
              2006 Pontiac G6 GT with Panoroof

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              • #8
                Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

                Originally posted by zach4u2c
                Originally posted by mike91y2k
                Dude those look AWESOME. Almost the exact shade I want. Great how to

                Is that a custom plate?
                No sir. Just happend to get that number. My mother hates it when I come over and she see's it.
                Lucky. I wanted it but i swear the dps was messing with me when they gave me 696

                G6 - 240sx - Lancer - 325is - WRX

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: My Tinted Tail Lights How To: Spray Tint

                  Originally posted by mike91y2k
                  Is that a custom plate?
                  Death to the EPA

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

                    Nice i was going for that shade also after a couple days it looks a little lighter. though

                    Nice Write up
                    My Progress thread
                    http://www.g6performance.com/forum/s...282#post429282

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

                      This is just what I needed to help me repair the ones I bought that were damaged. Thanks
                      My Car Domain
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                      • #12
                        Re: How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

                        Any tips on tinting the third brake light in the GXP coupe spoiler? It's not removable.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

                          Originally posted by jessebkr87
                          Any tips on tinting the third brake light in the GXP coupe spoiler? It's not removable.
                          I still don't understand how it can't be removed. The spoilers are just bolted to the body no? Remove the spoiler, and then release the tabs on the 3rd brake light. I'm not arguing with anyone, but you would think here would be a way to replace the bulb when it burns out.

                          Anyways, if it is indeed non-removable, then you could simply mask with masking tap around the lamp, then mask with newspaper, taping onto the tape outlining the stop lamp.
                          2006 Pontiac G6 GT with Panoroof

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                          • #14
                            Re: How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

                            Well, it's bolted on and if it's like the one you can order from the dealer it's also stuck on with tape. I don't feel like ripping my spoiler off. They shouldn't ever burn out because the GXP spoiler comes stock with L.E.D.s in it.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: How To: Spray Tint Tail Lights

                              Originally posted by jessebkr87
                              Well, it's bolted on and if it's like the one you can order from the dealer it's also stuck on with tape. I don't feel like ripping my spoiler off. They shouldn't ever burn out because the GXP spoiler comes stock with L.E.D.s in it.
                              Ohhh, thought they'd be incandescent bulbs.
                              2006 Pontiac G6 GT with Panoroof

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