Okay, I'm seriously looking into tinting my tails and 3rd brake lights. Problem is, I'd hate to tear into my brand new tail lights and the work be unsatisfactory. I understand all of the steps and procedures that go along with tinting the lights, but I'm just curious about the longevity of the tint and how well it will hold up to the elements.

Just to make sure of the steps or what I plan on doing, will this method turn out nice results?

sand until dull (800 grit)
clean and dry
hit with light coats of nightshades (until desired darkness)
wetsand when necessary
dry
clear coat (atleast 5 good coats?)
let cure (maybe a day or so?)

Will the clear coat give it a nice shine? If so, what can I do to give the lights a nice glossy finish?

 

1)i didnt sand mine, the niteshade went on just fine
2)as for the clearcoats, on my last coat of niteshades i only waited 3 minutes for the niteshades to dry just enough to apply the clear. i wanted the niteshaes to still be tacky so the clear would stick no problem. a friend of mine that paints cars suggested this method. i tried it and came out good
3) i put 2 coats of niteshades 3 minutes apart
4)then 4 coats of clear 3 minutes apart

 

I wet sanded mine with 1200, put 3 coats on, let dry, wet sanded the peel out of it with 1200, gave it 3 coats of clear, then wetsanded and buffed. slick as glass

 

I sorry I don't understand what you mean by wetsanding??? Can you explain

 

Probably not the correct procedure to do it, but to it's just getting wet/dry sandpaper, and sanding a wet surface. So basically, keep spraying water (I've also heard of very slightly soapy water to help lubricity) on the lights while you sand them to keep the surface wet.

 

Basically it means sanding with a very fine grit while using water as a lubricant.

- NCSU

 

 

Mine turned out bad but still look much better than stock. They're also a lot darker in person - there was too much light in this picture.

 

looks good!!what method did you use to apply the niteshades? how many coats did you apply?

 

What exactly does clear coat do? Give it a glossy shine? Is it even recommended?

 

It's supposed to be give it a more lasting gloss and protect it. I've seen some Night Shade applications where the tail lights look opaque and dry. As for the protection, there have been people that say their Night Shade-only application chipped after a year or so.

 

I used about 3 heavy coats of niteshade and 4 coats of clearcoat and inbetween coats blow dry and wetsand with 600 grit on the niteshade and used 2000 grit in between coats on the clearcoat.

 

All you guys use automotive clear with a gun?

 

I put 4 coats of dupli color clear, wet sanded and buffed. slick as glass

 

not me I went buy some krylon clear gloss spray paint. I don't know what everyone else used.