Easy DIY tint - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Sublime1304 · 08-03-2010, 04:33 PM

Looking for easy DIY tint for tail lights and other plastic

My corner lights have that crappy amber reflective piece so I'd like to tint it but I'm looking for ways to do it. Either tint it with film or paint. I could also tint my tail lights the same way. Any suggestions? Don't tell me "dont do it" either

mitsuboost30 · 08-03-2010, 10:03 PM

http://www.lamin-x.com/

and or order it from here
http://www.decalfx.com/

11secdsm · 08-03-2010, 10:05 PM

Lamin-x is great...but FAR from DIY unless you have some skills.

mitsuboost30 · 08-03-2010, 10:21 PM

its not to difficult tho.. but ur right some skill is needed..

11secdsm · 08-03-2010, 10:32 PM

It's not difficult on a flat or simple curve...but if your lens has multiple curves going opposite directions or has 90* bends (like the top of the charger tails), it's very difficult for someone who doesn't do it on a regular basis.

Sublime1304 · 08-03-2010, 10:33 PM

i picked up a can of VHT Nite-Shades from pepboys and maybe ill use this on my corner lights and see how it works

**Big_Jim** · 08-04-2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mk4supra

i picked up a can of VHT Nite-Shades from pepboys and maybe ill use this on my corner lights and see how it works

Please no on the VHT, I think it looks like crap. How about shades of gray, or another tint sponsor on here? I know some places offer tail light and headlight tinting. Hell, take it to a body shop, they can tint clear, and paint them that way, which will look 100x better than VHT.

jpalamar · 08-04-2010, 09:00 AM

I NiteShaded my car and my buddies Charger. It came out looking really good. Most people that do it themselves don't take the time to do it right and it looks like crap. His car is silver steal. Since your white. As long as you polish the clear really good it would be just fine.

I could help if you need, but it really is a full weekend project due to drying time.

Hell, if you dont' like it just sand it off and then get some tint laid.

Sublime1304 · 08-04-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpalamar

I NiteShaded my car and my buddies Charger. It came out looking really good. Most people that do it themselves don't take the time to do it right and it looks like crap. His car is silver steal. Since your white. As long as you polish the clear really good it would be just fine.

I could help if you need, but it really is a full weekend project due to drying time.

Hell, if you dont' like it just sand it off and then get some tint laid.

Do you have to sand the plastic surface down a little? To be safe I'm gonna start with the corner lights and if I like the end result, I'll move on to my tail lights.

jpalamar · 08-04-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mk4supra

Do you have to sand the plastic surface down a little? To be safe I'm gonna start with the corner lights and if I like the end result, I'll move on to my tail lights.

Yes, you have to sand before painting. I can't remember off hand but I also believe there was some raised lettering on them as well. I ended up usign a file to get them and then wet sanded a little. I also ended up taping them off so I wouldn't hit the trim on the sides where the trunk opens.

I just emailed Julie to get me picks of the tails I did for him. I can't open FB from work :-(

Sublime1304 · 08-04-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpalamar

Yes, you have to sand before painting.

Any other steps I must know about before I give it a shot?

Sublime1304 · 08-04-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpalamar

Yes, you have to sand before painting. I can't remember off hand but I also believe there was some raised lettering on them as well. I ended up usign a file to get them and then wet sanded a little. I also ended up taping them off so I wouldn't hit the trim on the sides where the trunk opens.

Not trying to work on tail lights just yet but I'll use that advice. These corner lights will be a test

jpalamar · 08-04-2010, 10:02 AM

Do really light coates and do both sides at the same time so you spray them even. If you do 1 side at a time they won't match. Everything else is just common practice when paiting.

Also after about 2-3 light coates hold a flashlight behind it to make sure light gets through... I did my side markers too dark and didn't realize it until I was done. Ended up sanding down and starting them over.

Sublime1304 · 08-04-2010, 10:04 AM

Sounds pretty straight forward. Do you recommend using some kind of wax or something after it's all dry?

Sublime1304 · 08-04-2010, 10:05 AM

And I'm guessing I should use a light-textured sand paper for this?

jpalamar · 08-04-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mk4supra

Sounds pretty straight forward. Do you recommend using some kind of wax or something after it's all dry?

Clear coat after its dry. Then you can polish the clear to your liking. I didn't want a gloss look since I have a metallic black car so I didn't polish much. The tails match the car really good and don't stand out too much. Since your white... I would clean and polish to a gloss finish... especially since you were talking about tinting your windows too.

Sublime1304 · 08-04-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpalamar

Clear coat after its dry. Then you can polish the clear to your liking. I didn't want a gloss look since I have a metallic black car so I didn't polish much. The tails match the car really good and don't stand out too much. Since your white... I would clean and polish to a gloss finish... especially since you were talking about tinting your windows too.

Sounds good. I'll try to get to this by the weekend

jpalamar · 08-04-2010, 10:19 AM

Pics after I was done.

Sublime1304 · 08-04-2010, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpalamar

Pics after I was done.

Looks good

mitsuboost30 · 08-04-2010, 10:41 AM

make sure you wet sand and buff when ur done or it will have a dull look..

08-03-2010, 04:33 PM	#1
Sublime1304 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ivyland, PA Member #15678 My Ride: MK5 TDI Cup Edition Jetta, MK5 GLI iTrader: (1)	Easy DIY tint Looking for easy DIY tint for tail lights and other plastic My corner lights have that crappy amber reflective piece so I'd like to tint it but I'm looking for ways to do it. Either tint it with film or paint. I could also tint my tail lights the same way. Any suggestions? Don't tell me "dont do it" either __________________ Mike Burns - '10 TDI Cup Edition Jetta Photographer: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. IG: @mike_perfectstance

08-03-2010, 10:05 PM	#3
11secdsm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warrington, PA Member #4914 My Ride: '15 F150, '11 535xi, '95 M3, '04 Wrangler iTrader: (2)	Lamin-x is great...but FAR from DIY unless you have some skills. __________________ -Chris 1995 M3 LS6 swapped 1991 Eclipse auto- 725whp - 5.93@122 1/8 \|\| 9.14 @ 151 2006 Evo IX- 609whp-> (2.3L) \|\| 11.19 @ 128 ->(stock 2.0) SOLD 1997 Supra- 670whp- 10.91 @ 139 SOLD

08-03-2010, 10:32 PM	#5
11secdsm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warrington, PA Member #4914 My Ride: '15 F150, '11 535xi, '95 M3, '04 Wrangler iTrader: (2)	It's not difficult on a flat or simple curve...but if your lens has multiple curves going opposite directions or has 90* bends (like the top of the charger tails), it's very difficult for someone who doesn't do it on a regular basis. __________________ -Chris 1995 M3 LS6 swapped 1991 Eclipse auto- 725whp - 5.93@122 1/8 \|\| 9.14 @ 151 2006 Evo IX- 609whp-> (2.3L) \|\| 11.19 @ 128 ->(stock 2.0) SOLD 1997 Supra- 670whp- 10.91 @ 139 SOLD

08-03-2010, 10:33 PM	#6
Sublime1304 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ivyland, PA Member #15678 My Ride: MK5 TDI Cup Edition Jetta, MK5 GLI iTrader: (1)	i picked up a can of VHT Nite-Shades from pepboys and maybe ill use this on my corner lights and see how it works __________________ Mike Burns - '10 TDI Cup Edition Jetta Photographer: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. IG: @mike_perfectstance

08-04-2010, 09:00 AM	#8
jpalamar TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orefield, PA Member #13773 My Ride: '14 Mustang GT iTrader: (3)	I NiteShaded my car and my buddies Charger. It came out looking really good. Most people that do it themselves don't take the time to do it right and it looks like crap. His car is silver steal. Since your white. As long as you polish the clear really good it would be just fine. I could help if you need, but it really is a full weekend project due to drying time. Hell, if you dont' like it just sand it off and then get some tint laid. Last edited by jpalamar; 08-04-2010 at 09:03 AM.

08-03-2010, 10:03 PM	#2
mitsuboost30 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Member #8197 My Ride: look at the picture..... iTrader: (3)	http://www.lamin-x.com/ and or order it from here http://www.decalfx.com/

08-03-2010, 10:21 PM	#4
mitsuboost30 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Member #8197 My Ride: look at the picture..... iTrader: (3)	its not to difficult tho.. but ur right some skill is needed..

08-04-2010, 10:02 AM	#13
jpalamar TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orefield, PA Member #13773 My Ride: '14 Mustang GT iTrader: (3)	Do really light coates and do both sides at the same time so you spray them even. If you do 1 side at a time they won't match. Everything else is just common practice when paiting. Also after about 2-3 light coates hold a flashlight behind it to make sure light gets through... I did my side markers too dark and didn't realize it until I was done. Ended up sanding down and starting them over.

08-04-2010, 10:04 AM	#14
Sublime1304 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ivyland, PA Member #15678 My Ride: MK5 TDI Cup Edition Jetta, MK5 GLI iTrader: (1)	Easy DIY tint Sounds pretty straight forward. Do you recommend using some kind of wax or something after it's all dry? __________________ Mike Burns - '10 TDI Cup Edition Jetta Photographer: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. IG: @mike_perfectstance

08-04-2010, 10:05 AM	#15
Sublime1304 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ivyland, PA Member #15678 My Ride: MK5 TDI Cup Edition Jetta, MK5 GLI iTrader: (1)	Easy DIY tint And I'm guessing I should use a light-textured sand paper for this? __________________ Mike Burns - '10 TDI Cup Edition Jetta Photographer: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. IG: @mike_perfectstance

08-04-2010, 10:41 AM	#20
mitsuboost30 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Member #8197 My Ride: look at the picture..... iTrader: (3)	make sure you wet sand and buff when ur done or it will have a dull look..

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