TAILLIGHT TINT PROCEDURE

DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2= Knowledge of painting and sanding, ability to appropriately remove taillights (click to learn how), & basic common sense.
(Hardest=5 Easiest=0)
TOTAL COST [Estimated]=Less than $50
TOOLS=Philips Head screwdriver, Flat head screwdriver, 10mm & 14mm socket and ratchet, masking tape, sandpaper (at least 1500 grit) and paint(TESTORS brand model RC car paint)

--Buy some TESTORS Brand Model paint, it is used to replicate tinted window on RC cars, it is a semi transparent spray paint only available in small cans and usually should not cost more than $5 per can, I used exactly one entire can of red for the red, 1 can of clearcoat for the red, and one can of smoke tint for the tails. Click to view Smoke Tint or to view the Colored Tint Click here there is several different kinds all from the same manufacturer, some labeled "Model Master" or "Pactra" and some just "Testors" I just found out it is available in yellow and not just cherry red if yellow is your thing, congrads. you can search testors.com for "transparent" or "tint" and they will show you the entire selection.

-- Remove Taillights, click here to learn how

--Mask the areas you do not wish to paint, if you are smoke tinting the entire lense this may not be neccessary.

--Paint the lenses with VERY LIGHT COATS

--DO NOT HOLD THE CAN TOO CLOSE, or the paint will drip and run and look like shit!. Clear the spray nozzle after every use.!

When the paint has completely cured and is dry, I wetsanded the new red paint then smoke tinted the entire lense, if you don't smoke tint then clearcoat for added gloss.
Before......................and After.
This is only one FULL coat of smoke tint (several thins layers) One Whole Can on smoke tint for the entire taillights, two coats of red underneath which only covers the reverse and blinker lights but I also used one whole car of red for the reverse and blinkers. The red was clear coated THEN wetsanded, the smoke tint has not been wetsanded in these pics but it has been clear coated!