Here's my DIY on painting your tail lights red.
SUPPLIES
1605 Transparent Candy Apple Red (Testors)
Automotive Paint
sandpaper (800-1000)
paper towels
socket set
masking tape
X-Acto knife
Step 1 Disconnect the bulb and wiring harnesses behind each tail light.
Step 2 Remove each tail light (all 4) each tail light has 4-5 bolts holding it in place using the socket set.
Step 3 Remove the screw on the back of the right tail light that holds the key hole. (it attaches to the back of the tail light)
Step 4 Take the tail lights off and remove the black L shaped piece that is visible when the trunk is up. It is located on the two inner tail lights. (this will be easier to paint)
Step 5 Clean the tail lights. Some people use rubbing alcohol, but since it's just cleanable plastic I used water and paper towels.
Step 6 Sand the tail lights down using 800-1000 grit sandpaper. Sand untill the surface looks foggy. make sure to wipe it down with the paper towels before you paint. (this will allow the paint to stick to the surface)
Step 7 Use masking tape to mask off everything that you don't want painted, including sides and reverse light. (don't worry too much about the back, you wont see it when the lights are installed) TIP: using an x-acto knife makes cutting the tape for masking really easy.
READY FOR PAINT !
Step 8 Paint the tail lights in either a garage or a spray booth. Just make sure you spray them in a dust and dirt free environment. (I used a spray booth because it was available, but it's not neccesary)
Step 9 Apply as many coats of the Testors paint untill the orange is red. (I sprayed about 2-3 coats)
Step 10 Wait at least 24 hours before spraying the clear coat. I used an Automotive clear coat so the tail lights will last longer. Some people just use the Testors clear coat, but if your unsure about it, ask a professional. I applied 2-3 coats. I painted right over the reverse light so there's no "lip" from paint to no-paint. (Since I had access to a spray booth I had an air supply so I used a spray gun. But automotive clear coat can also come in a can)
Step 11 Remove the masking after the clear coat has dried. Install them the same way you removed the tail lights. Maybe wash your car and wax the new tail lights to make them shine!!!
red paint
clear coat
spray gun
spray booth
masking process
dirty car, lol
even dirtier car, lol
SUPPLIES
1605 Transparent Candy Apple Red (Testors)
Automotive Paint
sandpaper (800-1000)
paper towels
socket set
masking tape
X-Acto knife
Step 1 Disconnect the bulb and wiring harnesses behind each tail light.
Step 2 Remove each tail light (all 4) each tail light has 4-5 bolts holding it in place using the socket set.
Step 3 Remove the screw on the back of the right tail light that holds the key hole. (it attaches to the back of the tail light)
Step 4 Take the tail lights off and remove the black L shaped piece that is visible when the trunk is up. It is located on the two inner tail lights. (this will be easier to paint)
Step 5 Clean the tail lights. Some people use rubbing alcohol, but since it's just cleanable plastic I used water and paper towels.
Step 6 Sand the tail lights down using 800-1000 grit sandpaper. Sand untill the surface looks foggy. make sure to wipe it down with the paper towels before you paint. (this will allow the paint to stick to the surface)
Step 7 Use masking tape to mask off everything that you don't want painted, including sides and reverse light. (don't worry too much about the back, you wont see it when the lights are installed) TIP: using an x-acto knife makes cutting the tape for masking really easy.
READY FOR PAINT !
Step 8 Paint the tail lights in either a garage or a spray booth. Just make sure you spray them in a dust and dirt free environment. (I used a spray booth because it was available, but it's not neccesary)
Step 9 Apply as many coats of the Testors paint untill the orange is red. (I sprayed about 2-3 coats)
Step 10 Wait at least 24 hours before spraying the clear coat. I used an Automotive clear coat so the tail lights will last longer. Some people just use the Testors clear coat, but if your unsure about it, ask a professional. I applied 2-3 coats. I painted right over the reverse light so there's no "lip" from paint to no-paint. (Since I had access to a spray booth I had an air supply so I used a spray gun. But automotive clear coat can also come in a can)
Step 11 Remove the masking after the clear coat has dried. Install them the same way you removed the tail lights. Maybe wash your car and wax the new tail lights to make them shine!!!
red paint clear coat
spray gun spray booth masking process dirty car, lol even dirtier car, lol
with 260k on her
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