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-   -   [Stupid] Question about smoking tail lights (http://www.the370z.com/exterior-interior/56040-stupid-question-about-smoking-tail-lights.html)

Haris 06-09-2012 09:51 PM
[Stupid] Question about smoking tail lights
 
Hey everyone,

I am going to attempt to smoke the tail lights of my Z tomorrow and I want the reverse (white area) of the lights untouched. What kind of masking should I be using? Is simple masking tape okay? Will I still be able to effectively sand the surroundings while I have the mask on or should I mask it after sanding the entire light?

It's my first time doing anything like this by my self, I am also technically impaired so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

simota1 06-10-2012 05:53 AM
blue painters tape is the best.... the cleaner you tape the better the end results....

if your scared to tint the tails with paint... why not get smoked overlays... same effect :tup: except if you mess up you just rip them off

SgtGoldy 06-10-2012 05:57 AM
^+1

Also if your set on smoking em yourself watch a good number of youtube videos. I smoked my last cars taillights and it turned out great. Just have to be patient and Prepare Prepare Prepare. Preparation is the difference between an awesome job and a mediocre one.

simota1 06-10-2012 06:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGoldy (Post 1763925)
^+1

Also if your set on smoking em yourself watch a good number of youtube videos. I smoked my last cars taillights and it turned out great. Just have to be patient and Prepare Prepare Prepare. Preparation is the difference between an awesome job and a mediocre one.
^^^^ yessir!!!! its all about the prep work also :tup:

Haris 06-10-2012 09:34 AM
Thanks for the tips guys, one more thing though:

When do I apply the mask to light? Before sanding or after sanding? I was told by another enthusiast it should be applied after I sand it and I should remove it when applying the clear coat. I just wanted to confirm.

And thanks for all the DIY's you contribute Simota - really cool stuff. If this goes well I might start trying other things too.

Glokwork 06-10-2012 10:28 AM
I didn't sand mine. I used bluebat overlays with reverse cutout at first but I wasn't pleased with the results. Then I sprayed the entire light with a mixture of clear coat and several drops of black. Used a few coats to get the desired darkness and it looks phenomenal.

USMCASA 06-10-2012 10:57 AM
3m makes a fine line masking tape which is vinyl and will come off in much more sharp edges. i'd finish out the edges in it and use the wider paper type tape to cover the large area. the thin vinyl tape comes in 3mm, 5mm and 10mm thicknesses.

Baer383 06-10-2012 11:44 AM
Yep did mine my self in a paint booth with a real paint gun.
http://www.the370z.com/members/baer3...ail-lights.jpg

Don't use a spray can:shakes head:

SPOHN 06-10-2012 11:49 AM
Going to have my new ones done. Talking to someone now that can do a matte finish with spray gun with a type of clear.

Haris 06-10-2012 05:32 PM
Thanks for the advice everyone, here are some pics of the results if anyones interested. I personally love them, but everyone has their own tastes.

imgur: the simple image sharer

SgtGoldy 06-10-2012 06:42 PM
Wow you went real dark! Looks good, did you clear coat em? Also watch out, i hear some states its illegal. No idea how Canada is though

864Zbeast 06-10-2012 06:51 PM
Sick haris! Did u take the lights off? I want to do mine but I tried to take the lights off and found it difficult and didn't try anymore.

Ps I alsO tried the overlay and it cracks so I want a clean look if I do it

Haris 06-10-2012 07:48 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SgtGoldy (Post 1764920)
Wow you went real dark! Looks good, did you clear coat em? Also watch out, i hear some states its illegal. No idea how Canada is though
The picture is a lot darker since the camera quality is poor. You can still see a visible tint of red in real life, I only used 2 coats of VHT nightshades.
And yeah, I used 3 coats of clearcoat gloss. Most people I talked to in Canada said they never got pulled over for something like this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 864Zbeast (Post 1764930)
Sick haris! Did u take the lights off? I want to do mine but I tried to take the lights off and found it difficult and didn't try anymore.

Ps I alsO tried the overlay and it cracks so I want a clean look if I do it

I did take the lights off. From what I read, doing it with the lights on is a horrible idea. Personal message me on what step you got stuck at and maybe I can help you out on what you should be doing.

I used this guide by the way: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...p-install.html
Scroll down to step 2

KaienZ34 06-10-2012 08:38 PM
http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...4/S1035059.jpg

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...4/S1035066.jpg

One coat of vht and two coats of clear.

864Zbeast 06-10-2012 08:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haris (Post 1764985)
The picture is a lot darker since the camera quality is poor. You can still see a visible tint of red in real life, I only used 2 coats of VHT nightshades.
And yeah, I used 3 coats of clearcoat gloss. Most people I talked to in Canada said they never got pulled over for something like this.




I did take the lights off. From what I read, doing it with the lights on is a horrible idea. Personal message me on what step you got stuck at and maybe I can help you out on what you should be doing.

I used this guide by the way: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...p-install.html
Scroll down to step 2
Ok awesome thanks!

simota1 06-10-2012 08:55 PM
glad my zombie thread was a help to you taking off your lights man... came out nice!!!!

noel61 07-31-2012 01:43 PM
Coating paint
 
I bought the VhT night shade and clear coat. Will I need to sand it down?? Or just clean it spry it then keep doing that or how did you guys do it?

simota1 07-31-2012 03:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by noel61 (Post 1847236)
I bought the VhT night shade and clear coat. Will I need to sand it down?? Or just clean it spry it then keep doing that or how did you guys do it?
even if you dont have to necessarily have to sand it... i would recommend sanding with at least 1500 grit just to make it stick :tup: i never really believed in no sand no prep painting....

KaienZ34 07-31-2012 03:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by simota1 (Post 1847522)
even if you dont have to necessarily have to sand it... i would recommend sanding with at least 1500 grit just to make it stick :tup: i never really believed in no sand no prep painting....

:iagree: good advice

robones 07-31-2012 04:02 PM
:stirthepot: My question to the ones who decide on painting the tail lights. What do you when you want to sell it? Would a dealer accept a car like this? Its very dangerous to drive with tinted taillights. Just think about this... the car has LED tail lights for the fact that LEDs are BRIGHTER and light up QUICKER than conventional bulbs. Going for looks for the sake of safety is not my cup of tea. Lets buy MOMO steering wheels and remove our air bags while we are at it. :stirthepot:


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