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Painted Taillights....

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Old 05-23-2011, 06:08 AM
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Painted Taillights....

Hey guys,

I saw this on the Trucks show on tv. I thought I'd try it on my faded tailights. Here is the results...

Before....


After....


I used some VHT Night-shades paint. Will post pics once I get them mounted back on the rig.
Old 05-23-2011, 02:51 PM
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eh...to each his own i guess. looks like it could be a fix-it-ticket around here in CA. btw, if you're looking to "fix" faded light housings - try progressively very fine-gritted sandpaper or headlight de-fogging compound since it's the exterior plastic that's the issue, not the color of the lens/interior.
Old 05-23-2011, 03:05 PM
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Well, thanks for your input. I did attempt the fine grit wet sand procedure that I've done on many of headlights. That did make them glossy again, but didn't help that they shown pink when lit instead of red. What part of it would you get a ticket for?
Old 05-23-2011, 03:46 PM
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Doesnt look too bad. I would have left the reverse lights white though since im pretty sure they legally need to be white
Old 05-23-2011, 03:50 PM
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Oh my bad...the reverse lights were taped off and the tape is still on it in the pic.
Old 05-23-2011, 03:58 PM
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Oh lol. Now that I look at the pic closer I can see the tape. Be sure to post some pics when you get them mounted
Old 05-23-2011, 04:48 PM
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I want to see the "outcome" of this...

I took mine off and used that Meguire's plastic polish stuff on it...it's definitely a whole lot better, but not as good as a brand-new set. It was cheaper though.
Old 05-23-2011, 05:24 PM
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Here are a couple pics of them installed...



Old 05-23-2011, 05:28 PM
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I like it! I was looking into getting blacked out taillights till I found out they are illegal here (of course). This would be an acceptable alternative.
Old 05-23-2011, 05:33 PM
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Not bad.
Old 05-23-2011, 05:34 PM
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looks good. dont want to bash or be rude in any way, but irab88 did a similar job on his camping trailer by using krylon stained glass spray paint on the inside of the covers and it came out good also. the only reason i mention it is cause his is painted inside where it wont get scratched off. however yours does give it a richer color which i like. how does the light come thru?
Old 05-23-2011, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by E-ROC
looks good. dont want to bash or be rude in any way, but irab88 did a similar job on his camping trailer by using krylon stained glass spray paint on the inside of the covers and it came out good also. the only reason i mention it is cause his is painted inside where it wont get scratched off. however yours does give it a richer color which i like. how does the light come thru?
Thats a good point! I didnt think about that. Definitely would be something to consider if I try this.
Old 05-23-2011, 06:17 PM
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Looks sharp!
Old 05-24-2011, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by dlucky894runner
Well, thanks for your input. I did attempt the fine grit wet sand procedure that I've done on many of headlights. That did make them glossy again, but didn't help that they shown pink when lit instead of red. What part of it would you get a ticket for?
my bad. i was looking at them on my phone yesterday and thought you did the black-out tint on them (that, plus the fact that i'm red/green colorblind ) they don't look so bad now that i see them on the truck and on a computer. i dunno still, i've always been a fan of the original triple color lights from older toyota rigs. did you do the signal lights the same color as the brake light? i thought brake has to be red and turn signal has to be yellow or orange for legality reasons. what did you use on the outside of the housings to get the oxidation off?
Old 05-24-2011, 10:33 AM
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NP. I did do the signals the same color as the tail lights. I like the look of the all one color tail light. The rear turn signals can be red or yellow, at least in Utah. I would assume they would be legal in other states, as well. I can't begin to count how many new vehicles have red turn signals on the rear....

For example:


I did the wetsand fine grit procedure in order to get rid of the oxidation. I also used some of Meguire's Plastic Cleaner and Plastic Polish. They turned out good, but still shown pink.

The light comes through great. I will take some pix tonight when it gets dark.
Old 05-24-2011, 10:35 AM
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NP. I did do the signals the same color as the tail lights. I like the look of the all one color tail light. The rear turn signals can be red or yellow, at least in Utah. I would assume they would be legal in other states, as well. I can't begin to count how many new vehicles have red turn signals on the rear....



I did the wetsand fine grit procedure in order to get rid of the oxidation. I also used some of Meguire's Plastic Cleaner and Plastic Polish. They turned out good, but still shown pink.

The light comes through great. I will take some pix tonight when it gets dark.
Old 05-24-2011, 11:31 AM
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nice work man! i like the red/white w/o amber tail lights. gives it an import look. i may go this route myself. thanx for posting the final pics!

fyi: for those of you who like the aged look of faded tail lights, but still want a bright red light coming through, they do sell red tinted 1157 bulbs and 2057 bulbs. (my experience is these are handy when using vintage tail light lenses)
Old 05-25-2011, 05:19 AM
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Sorry for the above double post. Phone wasn't cooperating. Here is what they look like with the lights on...

Old 05-25-2011, 05:47 AM
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nice work. looks good and red to me.
Old 05-25-2011, 06:30 AM
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show a pic with the brake lights on.
if the one your posted with the lights on is the brake light, looks anemic

I have been rear ended a couple of times, personally I want brake lights as bright as I can find, not taking a step backwards...


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