We all know those stock tail lights are kind of ugly and many people buy aftermarket ones to replace them.

Others tint the tail lights to a dark tint or just the white reverse part. That makes the tail light look better, but i have never seen anyone tint their tail lights like this. Also these are legal since you are not blocking any light output from the tail lights.

This is a pretty easy process I think.

First you would have to buy some red tint spray which you can find at hobby shops or online at http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/tam/tam86002.htm

You should also get some clear to protect it and make it last longer.

You should take your tail lights off so you wont get overspray and also make it easier for your self. (I'm guessing you know how to do this

Mask of the red lenses and just leave the white lenses(the ones u'll be painting)
You can use excacto knife to cut the tape to shape. Also mask of any other parts you will not be painting.

Go over the white lense lense with the 1500 grit paper (wet sand) to scuff up the surface slightly for better paint adhesion. The lense will begin to look slightly cloudy, but it will look clear again once you apply the clear coat.

Now make the circle shape of the painters tape. You can make it whatever shape you want, but the circle looks hot. Now tape it on the tailight. Make sure that its pretty good on there so paint doesnt run under. (Look at pic below)




-Time for paint-

It's now time for the painting. Find yourself a well ventilated area and also where there isnt much dust or particles to fall in your paint.

Start out with the tinting paint. Apply as many coats as needed to get the same color like the rest of the red tail light. I ended up using nearly the entire can on just my taillights and side marker lights. You need to be extra precise when using the tinting paint, because if you get more in a certain area, it will show up as being darker, unlike with regular paint. So be sure to use an even, slightly overlapping motion, and apply exactly the same number of coats to all pieces.

After you have let the tint dry for a few hours, it is time to clear coat the lenses.

Now you can remove the tape circle now. Don't remove the rest of the masking yet though.

The clear coat will protect the tint from scratching off (it isnt very durable by itself), and it will also give the entire lense a nice shine. Spray on a few thin coats of clear coat to all the lenses.

Wait for the clear coat to dry and take of all the masking tape and reinstall tailights.

Repeat for other tail light or you can do both at the same time.


This is how your outcome should be or better hopefully..

pic



And there you got some nice looking tails for a very cheap price..

DISCLAIMER: I have not done this myself since I do not own the lancer yet. Also I am sorry if there is some mistakes with the write up.. its my first one.
Also the pics i used are from another member and are photoshoped. If the owner of the car has a problem with the pic then I'll take it off.


SO AS SOON AS YOU GUYS TRY THIS PLEASE POST BACK SO WE CAN SEE HOW IT LOOKS.

 

31 views and no replys.. is anyone gonna bother to try this?

 

I don't really like it... srry.

 

+1 Sorry...

 

why dont you try it and post up your pics.

 

Makes them look bigger. Mine are already big enough for me.

 

Eh, i would re-do them... Go black

 

the stuff youre gonna want to use is Testores Candy Apples Red, Ive got the paint number down stairs. I did the turn signals on my celica that way, works well. As for as what you leave open for the reverse lights, you can do any shape or size you want but be careful as to what will and wont pass inspection.

 

I don't get it, you mark this as a How To thread named: "how to make your stock tail lights look good" buy you did not even do this yourself? And, on top of that you borrowed a picture of someone elses car? WTF

 

ok i made it a how to thread so someone can do this if they wanted to.... i didnt do this on my own car since i do not own a lancer... which i mentioned.... anways im sorry u guys dont like it, but if i had a lancer i would do this my self....

 

Yeah, you don't have to do something yourself to make a how-to. As long as it will work doing it that way, it can be a how to. And you really don't have to make it look like this. It offers an explaination on how to paint any part of your tail lights and in any pattern, because the process is the same.

 

yeah what drucea said..... ^^

 

i think if it actually matched the color of the taillights it would look alright. has anyone used the black tint spray on their taillights? i have been thinking about it but scared to mess them up.