How To: Custom Blackout Tail Lights (any Gen)

[Maxstealth04]

I decided to create my own tail lights using my stock ones. I really like the stock look so I customized them to my truck. Hope it all works as well for you as me.

First you need ALL your products.

Can of VHT Night Shade
Blue tape or any edge-locking tape
Rubbing compound and Buffing compound
Clear Coat UV Paint
Pencil or Pen
Carpet Knife or X-acto knife
2000 Grit sandpaper
Dupli-Color prep wipe (optional)

I ALWAYS use Dupli-Color prep wipes when I do ANY painting. Open the package and wipe down your lights.

Completely Tape off the area you do not want to paint. I did a custom look so I taped off the whole area and removed the parts I wanted painted.

Than draw what you want to be visible

Using your carpet knife or even better an x-acto knife, follow your lines you drew

Remove all the tape except the viable area

Then paint! I suggest doing light coats, if you get it too dark for your liking than you have do do it ALL over again, after you find a way to get it all off! You can always add more. I used 3 coats on mine.

After they dry sand it all down to get it all smooth. Once you are content, spray your clear coat on, once again I used 3 coats. Sand them again.

Now using a damp cloth, apply the rubbing compound in good and remove any access on the surface with a dry clean cloth. Do the same with the buffing compound but be more precise, the buffing compound is your deciding factor if your lights are going to be shiny or dull.

Now you are finished. Install them on your ride and enjoy!

Stock

Custom

 

[05exploder]

looks good

 

[Maxstealth04]

After I saw your yesterday, I decided to do the night shades.

 

[Triton8273]

When are you going to get the rear bumper painted?

 

[Maxstealth04]

After i get my new one. Waiting for a loaner car at the Ford dealership so the can look at and fix anything that is needed. I got re ended on the express way by a monte carlo!

 

[Maxstealth04]

Running Lights

With Brake

 

[Burnout]

That's awesome. It might just be the pictures, but it seems like during the day that could be hard to see and kind of dangerous. Is it just the pictures?

 

[Maxstealth04]

Yeah, it all shows up just as bright. Where I put the Harley logo and such was right over where the bulb is. That is why I did a design was so you can still see the lights so I do not get pulled over or rear ended.

 

[not8taxi]

nice job

 

[Teejay4490]

Good write up

 

[tgrfly]

Looks nice. I'm gonna do a write-up when I do mine too. I've done several sets of VHTd tails and I'm planning to do mine on my X tomorrow. Tried to do a set on a G6 similar to what you did here. Just didn't have the patience to do it.

 

[Maxstealth04]

Thanks all, maybe be a sticky? I do not have patience BUT since I am a disabled veteran and can not work, I have a lot of time! LOL!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

looks good keep up good work

 

[Maxstealth04]

If anyone wants something like this done, I will do it for you. Just pay for shipping or new lights and paint and I will use my resources and time to complete it for you. PM me if you are interested.

 

[tgrfly]

Getting ready to post up mine. Mine came out a ton better than any other set I have done before.


Here is my how to:
http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2878846#post2878846