Painting headlights

Silly Rabbit · 07-31-2015, 03:43 PM

I am installing halos and painting my headlight this weekend. I decided on satin black housing and gloss black shrouds and reflector. I am using Krylon Fusion paint. I don't want the housing to be glossy. Will it still keep its near flat look if I clear coat it? I picked up a can of Krylon Fusion clear coat, just not sure if it will make the satin look glossy if I use it. Any advise? I think it would be better to have the UV protection of the clear coat and plan on using it on everything.

I wan to end up with this type of look for the paint.

FYI - Morimoto XB halo are on clearance at retrofit source. A pair of 90mm white halos are $23, 70mm are $17.

Gilianz · 07-31-2015, 04:59 PM

It depends on the type of clear coat. If you have glossy clear coat it will probably end up being shiny. I would look for a can of matte clear coat or something similar. How easy was it to bake open your head lights? I really want to do it but I am so scared of messing up my headlights in the process.

birdman71 · 07-31-2015, 05:10 PM

I kinda wanna know how easy it is to bake the headlights off, I also need to figure out if my oven is big enough to hold the headlight lol

I think there is a DIY for headlight customization in the DIY section of the forum

KaienZ34 · 07-31-2015, 05:20 PM

DIY: LED Halo w/Video's

Silly Rabbit · 07-31-2015, 05:29 PM

Baking the lights isn't too bad. I haven't done Z headlights before, but I put halos in my last car and opening them wasn't bad. There are a couple DIYs on the forum. I didn't paint my last set, so that is new ground for me.

I am using this clear. Just says clear UV protectant. One review on Amazon said they were unhappy with the clear because it came out flat not glossy.

Silly Rabbit · 07-31-2015, 07:58 PM

I did a test run on a clear plastic drinking cup. I sprayed 4 coats of the gloss black and it turned out decent, but didn't have that polished gloss black look. Then I tried the clear and after one light coat, it turned almost a frosted black. Waited and tried a second coat and it only got worse.
I guess this clear is for directly on colored plastic, not painted plastic.
I don't think I will be using any clear. I'd like the gloss to be a little more glossy, but as long as there is a noticeable difference in the housing and the shrouds, it should turn out ok.
I'm going to test paint some more before I commit to the parts and may just end up taking them to a body shop. I have zero talent when it comes to paint.

OldFart · 07-31-2015, 09:38 PM

Go to a bodyshop supply store and ask for a semi-flat clear. I'd rather go that route than buying an off the shelf product.

Silly Rabbit · 08-02-2015, 07:31 PM

I skipped the clearcoat. Satin didn't turn out as flat as I'd like, but overall I'm happy.

Jayhovah · 08-03-2015, 08:36 AM

Looks clean.

Do you have a thread anywhere with info on your NISMO conversion?

moore.speed · 08-03-2015, 08:40 AM

Transtar Autobody Technologies Finish-Tec 6213 - Jammin' Clear Clearcoat | O'Reilly Auto Parts

This Jammin' Clear clearcoat is awesome. Used it on my headlights and calipers. Just allow time for the base coat to dry before applying and practice spraying on something other than the headlight before applying. It comes out a little different than your normal aerosols.

07-31-2015, 03:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Silly Rabbit Track Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookston, IN Age: 54 Posts: 683 Drives: '12 PW Touring Sport Rep Power: 618	Painting headlights I am installing halos and painting my headlight this weekend. I decided on satin black housing and gloss black shrouds and reflector. I am using Krylon Fusion paint. I don't want the housing to be glossy. Will it still keep its near flat look if I clear coat it? I picked up a can of Krylon Fusion clear coat, just not sure if it will make the satin look glossy if I use it. Any advise? I think it would be better to have the UV protection of the clear coat and plan on using it on everything. I wan to end up with this type of look for the paint. FYI - Morimoto XB halo are on clearance at retrofit source. A pair of 90mm white halos are $23, 70mm are $17. __________________ NISMO R Tune Intakes \ Fast Intentions RHFC \ Borla CBE \ EcuTek Tuned\ SPL Camber Arms \ Powertrix Coilovers \ Swift Springs \ Avant Garde \ Wicked CAS \ Morimoto XB Halos \ Custom Fenders \ Hotchkis Sways \ NLP Splitter

07-31-2015, 04:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gilianz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Salina Posts: 379 Drives: 11 370z MB Rep Power: 13	It depends on the type of clear coat. If you have glossy clear coat it will probably end up being shiny. I would look for a can of matte clear coat or something similar. How easy was it to bake open your head lights? I really want to do it but I am so scared of messing up my headlights in the process. __________________ Takeda CAI : FI Resonated TP : Stillen UD Pulley

07-31-2015, 05:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
birdman71 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,579 Drives: People Crazy! Rep Power: 40	I kinda wanna know how easy it is to bake the headlights off, I also need to figure out if my oven is big enough to hold the headlight lol I think there is a DIY for headlight customization in the DIY section of the forum __________________ *Birdman's Build:* Powerhouse Amuse/ Nismo/ Eibach/ ACT/ Tommy Kaira/ Avant Garde/ Fast Intentions/ Project Kics/ Fly 1 Motorsports/ EVO-R/ Z1 Motorsports/ Weber Sports/ Zoom/ Zele Japan

07-31-2015, 05:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
KaienZ34 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LA. not L.a. Posts: 21,652 Drives: Z34 Tour/Sport Rep Power: 177	DIY: LED Halo w/Video's __________________ *"These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends"* http://www.the370z.com/members/kaienz34-albums-z34.html

07-31-2015, 05:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
Silly Rabbit Track Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookston, IN Age: 54 Posts: 683 Drives: '12 PW Touring Sport Rep Power: 618	Baking the lights isn't too bad. I haven't done Z headlights before, but I put halos in my last car and opening them wasn't bad. There are a couple DIYs on the forum. I didn't paint my last set, so that is new ground for me. I am using this clear. Just says clear UV protectant. One review on Amazon said they were unhappy with the clear because it came out flat not glossy. __________________ NISMO R Tune Intakes \ Fast Intentions RHFC \ Borla CBE \ EcuTek Tuned\ SPL Camber Arms \ Powertrix Coilovers \ Swift Springs \ Avant Garde \ Wicked CAS \ Morimoto XB Halos \ Custom Fenders \ Hotchkis Sways \ NLP Splitter

07-31-2015, 07:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
Silly Rabbit Track Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookston, IN Age: 54 Posts: 683 Drives: '12 PW Touring Sport Rep Power: 618	I did a test run on a clear plastic drinking cup. I sprayed 4 coats of the gloss black and it turned out decent, but didn't have that polished gloss black look. Then I tried the clear and after one light coat, it turned almost a frosted black. Waited and tried a second coat and it only got worse. I guess this clear is for directly on colored plastic, not painted plastic. I don't think I will be using any clear. I'd like the gloss to be a little more glossy, but as long as there is a noticeable difference in the housing and the shrouds, it should turn out ok. I'm going to test paint some more before I commit to the parts and may just end up taking them to a body shop. I have zero talent when it comes to paint. __________________ NISMO R Tune Intakes \ Fast Intentions RHFC \ Borla CBE \ EcuTek Tuned\ SPL Camber Arms \ Powertrix Coilovers \ Swift Springs \ Avant Garde \ Wicked CAS \ Morimoto XB Halos \ Custom Fenders \ Hotchkis Sways \ NLP Splitter

07-31-2015, 09:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
OldFart Track Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Carlisle, PA Age: 61 Posts: 682 Drives: 2011 Wannabe Nismo Rep Power: 959	Go to a bodyshop supply store and ask for a semi-flat clear. I'd rather go that route than buying an off the shelf product.

08-02-2015, 07:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Silly Rabbit Track Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Brookston, IN Age: 54 Posts: 683 Drives: '12 PW Touring Sport Rep Power: 618	I skipped the clearcoat. Satin didn't turn out as flat as I'd like, but overall I'm happy. Swindler and SilverValk01 like this. __________________ NISMO R Tune Intakes \ Fast Intentions RHFC \ Borla CBE \ EcuTek Tuned\ SPL Camber Arms \ Powertrix Coilovers \ Swift Springs \ Avant Garde \ Wicked CAS \ Morimoto XB Halos \ Custom Fenders \ Hotchkis Sways \ NLP Splitter

08-03-2015, 08:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
moore.speed Base Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Northwest Arkansas Posts: 181 Drives: 09 370Z Touring 6MT Rep Power: 10	Transtar Autobody Technologies Finish-Tec 6213 - Jammin' Clear Clearcoat \| O'Reilly Auto Parts This Jammin' Clear clearcoat is awesome. Used it on my headlights and calipers. Just allow time for the base coat to dry before applying and practice spraying on something other than the headlight before applying. It comes out a little different than your normal aerosols. __________________ "Let me tell you something. Anyone who owns a car like this (370Z) has something wrong with them in the head." My Grandpa who has owned 4 Z's in his day.

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