Red Tail lights

Justin-xxx and I were bored earlier this week, and decided to make red tail lights for my wagon!
Super easy project, cost less than 20 bucks. And i enjoyed the results. Took less than an hour also.

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oh, and we sprayed the license plate surround with bumper coating along with the "spoiler" deal at the top of the hatch.
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^ final product! lemme know what you guys think :D

Comments

  • bretrutanbretrutan Band Wagon
    did you spray a clear over it?
  • DRMORTYDRMORTY Council Member
    I kinda like that!
  • Andy TFAndy TF New Wagonist
    I didn't know what to expect when i read the title of the thread.

    But........... I like it!

    Well done dude!
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    Not sure if I like...

    but thanks for sharing the project
  • danzdanz Wagonist
    maybe tape off the reverse portion to add some contrast? still looks dece tho.
  • SLC_SHUTTLESLC_SHUTTLE New Wagonist
    danz wrote:
    maybe tape off the reverse portion to add some contrast? still looks dece tho.

    +1
  • TheGmanTheGman Wagonist
    danz wrote:
    maybe tape off the reverse portion to add some contrast? still looks dece tho.

    Its too late now haha

    But for some reason my reverse lights aren't working (probably just not hooked up on the trans) so they really don't have a purpose.

    Plus, i'm probably going to get a tinted license plate cover so it blends in with the surround. Should look super clean when the wagon is white :D
  • the reverse light is something, but other than that. awsomenes. lol. im think about it to, but i would go with a tail light tints.
  • 3rd4ce3rd4ce Council Member
    this will take care of that reverse for U
    :lol:
    578.jpg
  • nicknick Band Wagon
    that looks awesome nicely done
  • Im really interested in attempting this. Any way you can post step by step?
  • FATHOEFATHOE New Wagonist
    great result! looks so much better!
  • Its really simple, you could even do it while they're on the car.

    Just mask off the surrounding area or remove them,
    then clean them off with windex or whatever you have on hand, acetone, rubbing alcohol. or whatnot.
    then sand them lightly with fine sandpaper, 800-1500, just enough to give the red tint spray something to grab onto.
    clean them again and wipe them off, getting as many of the loose particles off the surface as possible

    Then just start applying coats of the red tint stuff until the amber section looks red.
    Then let them dry for at least 30 minutes before applying clear.

    If you want to mask off the reverse light, make sure you do so before you sand them, or you could just mask them off before you apply the red tint spray, and clear coat them. (which will just make for a more even surface)

    Hopefully I didn't miss anything?
  • FATHOEFATHOE New Wagonist
    Does it effect the brightness much? Looks really good, i wouldn't mind doing something similar
  • Not much, not anything like the "smoked" tail lights. I wouldn't know about the backup lights seeing as mine don't work...
  • FATHOEFATHOE New Wagonist
    Haha yeah thats true... Well looks awesome, its illegal to tint your tail lights black in nz now... :/ but this looks super phat! Might have to give it a go :)
  • I can understand why, i hate smoked tail lights! Stupidly dim ones at least.

    If i was going to do this project again, i would tape the reverse lights off. That's my only "slight" regret.
  • Hows the paint holding up so far?
  • Theres a very slight amount of fade, but it might just be because they're dirty...

    Other than that, they're holding up great :D
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    TheGman wrote:
    then clean them off with windex or whatever you have on hand, acetone, rubbing alcohol. or whatnot.


    acetone- i wouldn't use this. i have gotten some on plastic before and it "chewed" it up, looked like it ate off the top layer of plastic.. not good :P
  • FATHOEFATHOE New Wagonist
    Hey would you be able to post another picture of how they look now? im quite curious on how bright they still are
  • wagodizzle wrote:
    acetone- i wouldn't use this. i have gotten some on plastic before and it "chewed" it up, looked like it ate off the top layer of plastic.. not good :P

    Just a super quick wipe down BEFORE you spray them wont hurt, i used that to clean my corner light that had some sort of scratch on it. Took it off fairly easy, but it does "eat" away at the plastic a little bit, but if you clear them they'll still be shiny. Just make sure you have 2 paper towels or clean rags, one with acetone, one dry to wipe the residue off.
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