RC-PILOT

Never done a DIY report, so please forgive any mistakes.....

I did a lot of searching but could not find what I was looking for, so I just went for it. I see where everyone is using "VHT Spray Tint" from E-bay. I went there and they had it for around $9.00/can, but the shipping was also around $9.00/can. I went to O'Reilly's and found it for around $650/can. Glad I did because the instructions are clear about needing to prep the surface before application....

PART LIST....
VHT spray tint
Grease & Wax Remover
Masking tape
A good place to spray paint

Instructions...
Remove
Clean & prep
Mask off
Paint
Wait
Pull masking off
Re-install
Smile and enjoy....

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND DOING BOTH AT THE SAME TIME TO MATCH THE FINAL RESULT MORE CLOSELY.

These are LED tail lights from E-Bay


These are the supplies I used from O'Reilly's...... Total cost $18.85


Mask off everything that you do not want to paint darker. Also mask off any electrical pigtails that may be part of your tail light assembly. The instructions are also clear to state that NO MORE than 3 coats are to be applied or the lense will be too dark and the bulbs or LED's will not be as visable as needed for safety. That happens really fast too, so be careful. They don't look as dark as they really are. I was going to spray another coat, but I am VERY GLAD I DIDN'T. Also keep your distance. Instructions say to keep 8 inches away from the project when spraying. I practiced on my original Scion tail lights. They came out good too. To be honest, I would do the originals this way, before spending $200+ on LED units just to paint over them.


I LOVE THE END RESULT !!! Can't wait to drop it on NR210's in a couple of weeks.

I hope that helps. It is a really easy LOW BUDGET MOD with a cost of under $20 if you already have some tape.

RC PILOT

XBinRochester

Thanks for the DIY.
Did you buff the lens after you painted them? Also several other DIY's recommend a clear coat over the tint, did you do that too? I think I might try your recommendation and attempt this on my stock lens.

RC-PILOT

The stocks came out nice. Smoother surface made them easier than these LED's....

I didn't need to buff mine, they were very smooth when finished. I may try some clear on the stock lenses, but I need to find what clear will work, or it may have a chemical reaction and mess up the whole project. No clear so far.

ImportCarSite

looks good on the red

dspeedy69

iTrader: (2)

looks nice, im def. going to try this sometime soon.

AndreyCo

So wait...you paid over $200 for replacement LED lights just so that you can paint over them with black? Might as well do that to the stock lights....

DJ_FroZone

iTrader: (2)

where can i find an o'reillys?

CIONIDE

iTrader: (1)

Hello Kitty would tell you to look on the internet; where you would find that they are only in the mid-west, the south, and southeast states... sorry, no NY.

Call around to any local auto supply stores or tint shops.
Worst case is to get it from one of the many sellers on eBay.
(Darn new censorbot won't let me replace the B with a G.)

Hannibal

I picked my spray up at Advanced Auto Parts. Sprayed my extra set of tail lights about an hour ago, tomorrow will spray on the clear.

DJ_FroZone

iTrader: (2)

jesus dude what did you do to that horse?? it lived a good life...

advance auto parts away we go

XBinRochester

I'm planning on doing my tails tomorrow, and if they turn out good, I plan on doing my turn signals soon after.
Has anyone had problems with the law with their tails tinted?????

XBinRochester

I tinted my tails today!

RC-PILOT

Looks great XBinRochester. Arnt you glad you did it? Congrats.

AndreCo.... I didn't know about the tinting untill AFTER I already had the LED tials. So I tented them. I tinted the O.E. tails first (for practice). Want to buy a tinted set of O.E. tails? Just kidding.

rsw1124

How do these look at night?? Any Pix by chance??? Thinking of doing mine but wanna see leds at nite though first. Thanks !

XBinRochester

Thanks. Yes, I am glad that I did it, I really like the look of them against the red. Now my daughter wants hers done on her SW!

tcnoob

a good clear is call UPOL clear...i have done many tails and that all i use...i got some questions for u...1. did u sand? 2. y did u use the Grease & Wax Remover? 3. how long did u wait til u sparyed again?...and u may have to sand bfore u clear so the clear so the clear can stick to the tails...

guitarguru44

wetsand, polish, wax you noob

tcnoob

x2^ idk how the paint stayed on the lights

guitarguru44

oh and I should definitely add clear coat to the list of wetsand, polish, and wax..