Topic: Tinting taillights (with nite shades spray tint)

[R3D DR4G0N]

Hello, Everyone!  Just wanted to throw out here, I just recently saw a walkthrough on how to properly apply Nite Shades spray tint to your taillights.  The guy who did it, shot the video and applied the spray tint in the shade, so to see how dark the lenses actually got was very difficult.  He applied 3 coats of spray tint to his ram taillights, and even then looked incredibly (and unnecessarily) dark.  I thought maybe 1-2 coats for my taillights would be plenty, but i would have to tape up over the reverse light section to leave bare.  afterwards, he applied acrylic based clear gloss finisher, in which he also said to apply 3-4 coats (!)  im sorry, i know its going to protect the surface, but that seems extreme.  I would do 2-3 coats (about twice as many finisher coats as spray tint coats), but with a clear satin versus a clear gloss finisher.  Basically what im getting at is, has anyone ever done this? does this sound like a good way to approach this mod?  is there any way back if the lenses are too dark? (I have another set of taillights, :P)  Let me know what you all think, please and thank you, and yes, i will post pics if and when i do it...Thank you!

Jon

[Donnie1]

Here's some info on the set that USMC0311 did at Bratfest a couple of yrs ago. Turned out great. Below the pic is some directions info.

http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/index.php/topic,5613.msg59974.html#msg59974

[R3D DR4G0N]

Here's some info on the set that USMC0311 did at Bratfest a couple of yrs ago. Turned out great. Below the pic is some directions info.

http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/index.php/topic,5613.msg59974.html#msg59974

I added a response to that string, but ill ask here too, do you know how many coats they used?  I will be spraying the entire lens (minus the reverse light region), and i think one coat is too light, and three is too many.  two sounds perfect, but i really dont know.  I will be applying acrylic clear satin finisher; any idea how long i have to wait to apply that?  those other guys didnt seem to apply that.

Thank you!

jon

[Darren]

That was my truck we did it to.  I think we put 2 coats on it if I remember correctly.  I did not put any clear coat on it at all as I think it blended better with my black truck not putting the finish on.  It still looks great today 2 years later.  I would just put on 1 coat at a time and let it dry completely and make the decision if you want to go darker as you apply each coat.

[R3D DR4G0N]

That was my truck we did it to.  I think we put 2 coats on it if I remember correctly.  I did not put any clear coat on it at all as I think it blended better with my black truck not putting the finish on.  It still looks great today 2 years later.  I would just put on 1 coat at a time and let it dry completely and make the decision if you want to go darker as you apply each coat.

that works.  i watched the video again, and if i go ahead with the satin clearcoat, im to do twice as many coats of that versus paint, without exceeding 4. kinda like saran wrap you can see thru it but the more you do, the less visible it is, lol.  if i do one coat and l dont like it, i might not take the chance and put a 2nd coat on.

Jon

[project black out]

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[project black out]

This is 6coats of spray and 2coats of clear.. its all in the prep work you have to get all the imperfections out I used 400 and 1000 grit paper then make sure you get the lens hot!! This is an oil based paint I used my sisters blow drier apply one coat and hit it with the heat gun right away!!!! Repeat the steps till you get the level of darkness you like. No real way of reversing it tho. Once it cures paint thinner won't faze it
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[R3D DR4G0N]

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

This is 6coats of spray and 2coats of clear.. its all in the prep work you have to get all the imperfections out I used 400 and 1000 grit paper then make sure you get the lens hot!! This is an oil based paint I used my sisters blow drier apply one coat and hit it with the heat gun right away!!!! Repeat the steps till you get the level of darkness you like. No real way of reversing it tho. Once it cures paint thinner won't faze it
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None of the pictures showed up for me (at least on this computer, :P)

Jon

[project black out]

None of the pictures showed up for me (at least on this computer, :P)

Jon

Can you see me now lol
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[R3D DR4G0N]

yes, lol.  thats 6 coats!?! wow, im stunned. but like you said, ill do just one coat first, just to see how it looks, and if its a no go, then ill add another one.  i really have to keep it hot tho?  thank you!

Jon

[project black out]

yes, lol.  thats 6 coats!?! wow, im stunned. but like you said, ill do just one coat first, just to see how it looks, and if its a no go, then ill add another one.  i really have to keep it hot tho?  thank you!

Jon

O yea! I don't recommend sticking it in the oven just grab the ol ladies hair dryer n heat it up.. since its an oil based paint it runs very easily so once you apply a coat grab that dryer n start drying it. If it looks like its getting an Orange peal texture to it, it means your not shaking it enough... Try it one coat at a time bit you'll notice a change around 3 coats depending on how heavy you apply each coat.

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[project black out]

And a heads up!!! Start spraying it away from the tail light then once you get a good mist going start applying it.. I had bad luck on my tiburon and it spit out heavy globs when I first pressed down on the nozzle

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[R3D DR4G0N]

And a heads up!!! Start spraying it away from the tail light then once you get a good mist going start applying it.. I had bad luck on my tiburon and it spit out heavy globs when I first pressed down on the nozzle

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thank you for that.  i think ill manage, whenever i decide to do it :P  thanks for all the help!

Jon