Author Topic: Anyone smoke the tailights DIY? (Read 11413 times)

FL318is · « **on:** February 03, 2007, 05:29:09 PM »

OK, I have been influenced by the members here to go MHW tails. But, they are hard to find. Abraham has depo and ebay is low on MHW. So, has anyone smoked there own? I am referring to tail lights!

kowalski · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2007, 05:33:25 PM »

"night shades" spray tint, doesn't look perfect but i think it looks pretty good, and 10$ vs. 300$... meh.

FL318is · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2007, 06:24:09 PM »

Thanks. Where would I find it?

jajou318 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2007, 07:30:34 PM »

Quote from: FL318is;18764

Thanks. Where would I find it?

The autozone by me has it. I'd try there.

Alpine003 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2007, 10:23:35 AM »

If I were you, I would get nightshades or one of the other tint spray out there. After the correct application, take the taillights to professional painter and have them spray a couple coats of clear. This will make them look less "homemade".

Just remember if you apply clear coat, the tint will look slightly lighter with it.

FL318is · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2007, 10:26:04 AM »

Thanks. Good point. Would a rattle-can clear do the trick?

asubimmer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2007, 10:34:55 AM »

personally I would wait for a set of mhw's. I have them and I know someone w/ self smoked tails and there is no comparison. I wouldn't want to reduce the output of taillights, or headlights for that matter

Stick w/ it, they are worth the extra $

Alpine003 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2007, 10:36:34 AM »

Quote from: FL318is;18861

Thanks. Good point. Would a rattle-can clear do the trick?

The results won't turn out as good as I've tried it already.

If you want the semi-ghetto highschool honda boy look then rattle can clear will be fine. If you want close to MHW standards then I recommend professional clear.

Shop around as this will be easy to shoot since no prep or masking would be needed by the painter. I would imagine between $50-$100 at the most to shoot 2 pieces.

kowalski · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2007, 11:39:57 AM »

if you want it to look really nice then just get the body shop to add a bit of black to some clear, that is the best way to do it and with the most consistency. Then get him to spray a couple coats on, and get it a nice wet sand and wax after 2 weeks. (let the paint fully cure)

edit: and my tail lights are fairly dark, and there is NO way you can miss them, they still shine bright as day through the tails. As for headlights, i wouldn't do a self tint job.

FL318is · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2007, 03:36:21 PM »

I love dis place. Being mechanically impaired the only thing left I can do is to mess with the cosmetics. Thanks for the help. Sounds like the easiest thing to do is get ASUBIMMER drunk and steal his.

I put the plate filler on and manipulated the tag up a 1/2 inch so it dosen't hang lower than the filler. I like the look but now the darker tails are needed. Also got the iS lip spoiler to put on. That will have to wait. Its too cold outside (54) to do anything. I ordered the carpet dye and will do that when its warmer.

kowalski · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2007, 04:00:10 PM »

we all started off mechanically impaired.

ak96ss · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2007, 06:30:28 PM »

Quote from: FL318is;18881

I love dis place. Being mechanically impaired the only thing left I can do is to mess with the cosmetics. Thanks for the help. Sounds like the easiest thing to do is get ASUBIMMER drunk and steal his.

I put the plate filler on and manipulated the tag up a 1/2 inch so it dosen't hang lower than the filler. I like the look but now the darker tails are needed. Also got the iS lip spoiler to put on. That will have to wait. Its too cold outside (54) to do anything. I ordered the carpet dye and will do that when its warmer.

54. Cold.

I pulled the heads off (and put them back on, and reassembled the top of the motor) of my 1976 Scout II when it warmed up to 18 degrees. Of course, this was in Alaska, so I was a little more accustomed to the weather, but it was still pretty chilly.

It's a balmy 17 degrees here in Maryland now, expected to drop to 8 tonight.

Back on topic, I did the Nightshades thing on my 1996 Impala SS, and with care, it actually looks pretty darn good. OTOH, it really doesn't cost much to have a pro do it right.

FL318is · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2007, 07:19:59 PM »

LOL! 54 is low when your blood has thinned. Thinking about doing it anyway. Once I wash the car I will take some pics. 17 hurts. Ever get down to St Mary's county?

kowalski · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2007, 08:23:39 PM »

hahaha 54.... try 11... now its back up to 30 though:)

Shocker · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2007, 10:13:01 PM »

Quote from: kowalski;18913

hahaha 54.... try 11... now its back up to 30 though:)

How about -22 actual air temp hopefully it'll warm up soon.