So while searching for exhaust I noticed these tail lights......Please click Photos for larger picture. I decided I had to have them. I had No luck when searching for some aftermarket tails but did see several people tinting or painting them... Clicky here if you would like to read more >>> GR Painted tails The paint choices people went with were; Testors Red; Duplicolor anodized red; and some tried stain glass paint. I think it really depends on what your going for. Some like the more opaque look (IMO how the Testors paint turns out) and some liked the clear red look (IMO like the Duplicolor paint turns out). Some folks like the much darker look I.E. These were done with the Testors. My choice of paint I started by removing the trim inside the hatch. You want to start by removing the trim at the top of the window, then the pillar trim and last the main cover. These are all pop on/off so be careful not to brake the clips. Next you will need to remove the bulbs and then using an 8MM socket and Phillips Head to remove the screws and nuts holding the lights. The corner lamps have 2 Screws (with socket heads as well) on the inside and a clip on the outside. The hatch lights have 2 nuts on the outer side and one nut you remove from inside the hatch through a small access hole. After removal I cleaned them with Isopropyl Alcohol and a clean micro fiber towel. Next I used masking tape to cover the turn signal and reverse lights....then onto painting. I did NOT sand prior to painting because I was worried that it would make them hazy looking instead of clear. The first 2 coats I did a VERY light mist with just enough passed to cover the light and WAITED 20 min. between the first 2 coats. I then did 3 more coats that were thicker and WAITED 1 hr. between these coats as well as giving them a little heat. Once they had dried awhile I removed the tape to start the clear coat. After 4 coats of clear and drying the install began. Big Thanks to 420 for Helping out and for giving a brutally honest opinion! I love how they turned out and can't believe I never thought of this with my 06!
So hot. This is the way the taillights should have came off the factory lot. We also painted the third brake light that is mounted to the rear hatch spoiler. We cut the wires and then crimped back together. We couldn't find any plug to undo, and it was only 2 wires, so we did the quick and easy route. It really tied in the look not having that clear light.
I assume you are referring to the driver's side tail light? Looks cool, glad you found the DIY I was suggesting.
Alex I appreciate your advice more than you know! I spent quite awhile reading through and deciding how I wanted to take it on! The _- that Cohen is referring to is where the corner light and the hatch come together. On the driver side the top lines are slightly off but the bottom is perfect.... the _- ......... I am surprised that he (and I'm calling myself out here) did not notice the other pass. side the top is perfect but the bottom us off
thanks for the advice! I used the same paint. only problem i ran into was i ran out of clear coat on the last pass...and in the process of trying to fix the light part i oversprayed a tiny part on one of the passenger side lights. from 3 feet away and more they look perfect. :eek3: http://bixsti.com/tails1.jpg http://bixsti.com/tails2.jpg old ones for reference: http://bixsti.com/oldtails1.jpg http://bixsti.com/oldtails2.jpg
I am too lame, lazy and cowardly to do this to my car. I would love to have red tails. You have no idea how bad clear tails look on a silver car.
you just don't realize how bad they look on these until you see pictures of them with red tails. and no i'd definately not want clear lol. i've had more than a few cars, admired many cars, and never thought to myself "that would look sweet with clear taillights"