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DIY: Tinted Tail Lights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by csuviper, Apr 25, 2014.

  1. Sep 6, 2015 at 7:22 PM
    #31
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    Auto sandpaper from a local auto parts store.

    Tear off a piece and put it in a cup of water. Let it soak a min then bring to lense and sand like normal.
    Don't let the lense get dry. Keep dipping in the water as you go.

    Before the nite shades you are just trying to rough it up so the paint has something to stick to.

    After the nite shades you are trying to smooth it all out.

    The grit is so fine that you really can't damage the lense.
     
  2. Sep 30, 2015 at 10:15 PM
    #32
    TrdProMan07

    TrdProMan07 New Member

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    • My TRD PRO did my self, Professionally tinted tail lamps. No Rattle can here.

    • image000001.jpg image000002.jpg image000003.jpg

    image000000.jpg
     
    Henry1jg, LLHoops, Les7311 and 2 others like this.
  3. Oct 1, 2015 at 2:59 AM
    #33
    rons23

    rons23 Get The Led Out!!!

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    Nice work
     
  4. Oct 1, 2015 at 6:02 AM
    #34
    chphilo

    chphilo Tundra addict

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    Looks pretty cool. The reduction of light will be the issue I would be most concerned about. The tail lights even in the last picture seems to be dim (they look even darker in the other pictures). Would this be problematic for inspection? (We have yearly inspection in PA)

     
  5. Oct 1, 2015 at 7:27 AM
    #35
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    My last pair were a bit darker than that, I believe...I want to go as dark (light) as @LOTSOFTOYS has his if I go that route again.

    image.jpg
     
  6. Oct 1, 2015 at 7:52 AM
    #36
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    I'm planning to put one more coat on mine soon. Darken up just a hair.
    Here is a recent shot, no wax on them in a while.
    IMG_7541.jpg

    IMG_6410.jpg

    IMG_7449.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2015
  7. Oct 1, 2015 at 3:42 PM
    #37
    TrdProMan07

    TrdProMan07 New Member

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    yea it depends. I never failed inspestion or gotten pulled over cuzz of it, my local toyota dealer just inspected it, never said a word. Pluss i know all the state troopers cuz i do all there autobody work. So really dont get botherd.
     
  8. Oct 1, 2015 at 4:01 PM
    #38
    TrdProMan07

    TrdProMan07 New Member

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    ill give ya tip to make it look the best an be clean, wont peal, i do autobody.. the first thing before sand them, prep them off with prep solve, for grease an wax, an then plastic cleaner (aerosol), then scuff with gray scuff pad, scuff with a soap called scuff an sand with water (sems scuff an sand) helps get anything the preeping stage misses, like was grease finger prints. Then rinse wash with soap an hot water, blow dry off, ( make sure u don't get water in side lamp. Now ur at paint stage, prep off with Glass cleaner, then prep solve, plastic cleaner. Then TAC off with TAC cloth, removes an dust hair ect. Then paint. in stead of rattle can stuff. The best way is using clear coat an black Base. I mix the base in to my clear an spray out of paint gun 2 coats, then the lamps are like looking at ur nice new truck, thick an glossy, no scratches coming through. One thing is tail lamps are a bare plastic, that why I treat them so much, if not done right will peal off an die out with no shine. Don't put waxing on any fresh paint job... Bad for the clear..wait about full month
     
    Hugh18Ltd and 040Tundra like this.
  9. Jan 12, 2016 at 4:02 PM
    #39
    Jason

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    I just finished my DIY tail lights and started the head lights will finish tomorrow morning but very pleased with the outcome..thanks guys it helped to get me through the process..
     
  10. Jan 12, 2016 at 5:44 PM
    #40
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Post up your pics
     
  11. Jan 12, 2016 at 5:46 PM
    #41
    Jason

    Jason New Member

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    Idk how new to this..I'm est time frame so I will in morning.
     
  12. Jan 12, 2016 at 7:59 PM
    #42
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    On phone click upload file below the text box. Then click choose file. Find the pics. Click full image and post. Done.
    image.jpg
     
  13. Jan 12, 2016 at 11:24 PM
    #43
    2011_Limited_tundra

    2011_Limited_tundra BOOM!!!!! That just happened....

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    Here is how mine look...I think i did two coats over where the light comes out and four coats on the rest of the light and i haven't had any problems with them.. I need to get a night shot of them since I just changed all my bulbs to LED's
    IMG_0837.jpg
     
    Henry1jg and Jsena like this.
  14. Jan 13, 2016 at 1:28 PM
    #44
    Jason

    Jason New Member

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    IMG_20160113_122954813.jpg
     
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  15. Jan 13, 2016 at 1:32 PM
    #45
    Jason

    Jason New Member

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  16. Jan 13, 2016 at 1:33 PM
    #46
    Jason

    Jason New Member

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    Pics of tail lights and head lights..will be getting some new rims in very soon
     
  17. Feb 15, 2016 at 6:03 AM
    #47
    Jason

    Jason New Member

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  18. May 4, 2016 at 9:18 PM
    #48
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Mine have definitely faded. Definitely recommend adding the clear coats to help with that. I was dumb this time to go by something I read that you don't need the clear coat. Will be redoing it sometime in the near future.
    image.jpg
     
    040Tundra likes this.
  19. Sep 2, 2016 at 11:30 AM
    #49
    AnonVet

    AnonVet That's what she said!

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    When you say professionally tinted, are you meaning you used film? I've tried that twice and I can't get it right when it comes to going over the fin that's on the tail light. any tips on this process? I actually liked the process better than sanding because I'm an idiot and would find a way to mess this up.
     
  20. Nov 12, 2016 at 3:35 PM
    #50
    462Loadtoad

    462Loadtoad New Member

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    This is my next project!!! Love the look!!
     
  21. Jan 23, 2017 at 10:29 AM
    #51
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Hoping to get this redone this weekend and definitely put on clear coat this time. Didn't have issues of fading on my Tacoma that i put clear coat on. Thought about other options but just don't want to spend the money so $11 rattle can it will be.
     
  22. Jan 23, 2017 at 2:20 PM
    #52
    AnonVet

    AnonVet That's what she said!

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    definitely go with the clear coat. Mine are still as badass as the day I got them.
     
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  23. Feb 15, 2017 at 7:13 PM
    #53
    digdug

    digdug New Member

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    This looks great. I've been wanting to do this mod but it scares the crap out of me. I tried to "renew" my headlights and they look terrible.

    ~dig
     
  24. Feb 19, 2017 at 8:08 AM
    #54
    Rbtrd

    Rbtrd New Member

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    FYI.....make sure you shake the can of VHT very well and keep shaking it during the spraying process. I sprayed the first tail light after shaking the can and it came out perfect. Nice n shinny. Didnt reshake the can for the second light and it was dull n matte looking ☹️
    You guys have some really good advice(tips) and i will be using them on the new pro. Thx
     
    Bob likes this.
  25. Feb 19, 2017 at 1:02 PM
    #55
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

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    A little of this and a little of that.
    I just used a 3m kit to renew my RX350's headlights and it turned out perfect. They look like the headlights on a brand new car. I'm a little confused as to what to use on my tail lights of my Tundra now (I want to do this mod) because of what happened to @csuviper with the fading. Can someone make a list of the products to buy that won't fade or be real shiny? I'd rather have my tails matte.
     
  26. Feb 19, 2017 at 1:12 PM
    #56
    Rbtrd

    Rbtrd New Member

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    ^^^^^Post #1 has a list. Try a matte clear coat to finish'em off.
     
    csuviper[OP] likes this.
  27. Feb 19, 2017 at 1:15 PM
    #57
    040Tundra

    040Tundra Teddy 2013-2019

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    A little of this and a little of that.
    He has a list but his also came off pretty fast. Is that only because he didn't clear coat them?
     
  28. Feb 19, 2017 at 2:56 PM
    #58
    Rbtrd

    Rbtrd New Member

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    Mine lasted 5yrs (until sold) n still looked good, i never clear coated mine. I didnt even prep mine as well either. I cleaned, taped n sprayed. Might depend on the thickness of each coat? Not exactly sure??
     
    040Tundra[QUOTED] likes this.
  29. Feb 19, 2017 at 5:46 PM
    #59
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes, because I didn't clear coat. Did the same on my Tacoma in the past without a problem. Had the clear coat on it. Not sure why I listened to something I read where you didn't need clear coat. Oh well.
     
  30. Feb 19, 2017 at 5:46 PM
    #60
    csuviper

    csuviper [OP] Moderator Staff Member

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    Yea matte clear coat would work.
     
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