Painting Tail Lamps

**MetalMatrix** · 9-2-06, 18:51

I hate the orange turn signals in the tail lamps. So I figured I should paint my tail lights all red. I had 2 orange side markers to test with so I decided to try 2 different spray paints. So far I'm liking the new colour more than the Testors Candy Apple Red that every recommends.

Haven't been able to paint my tail lights because of the rain outside but I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen with them using the Krylon Paint.

Pictures:

Left Side Marker: Orange Marker painted with Testors Candy Apple Red (3 Layers of Paint + 2 Layers of Clear Coat)

Center Side Marker: OEM Red Side Marker

Right Side Marker: Orange Marker painted with Krylon Stained Glass Paint (2 Layers of Paint + 3 Layers of Clear Coat)

** DO NOT use MotorMaster Clear coat paint. It is utter crap. Get a better name brand one!

Overall, Testors Candy Apple Red is a lighter red that seems pretty foggy. (Last picture without flash you can really tell.) The Krylon paint is a dark red that is much closer to the OEM. (Although, slightly darker.)

Where To Buy:
Testors can be purchased at a local hobby store and I bought the Krylon Stain Glass paint from 'Michael's Arts and Crafts

========================================================

Got them painted. Came out a little darker than I was expecting but once I finish cleaning the tail lamps up and give it a little more shine I think it will be really good.

Already got the lights dusty.

========================================================

Final Picture. It looks much better on the car. Cleaner and shinnier than the picture. The dark red is perfect and goes great with the silver! Matches the spoiler LED light too.

**kid_puma** · 9-2-06, 20:23

very coool or just get some red ones for the front keep us updated i dont think ive seen you car , what does it look like

**MetalMatrix** · 9-2-06, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by kid_puma

very coool or just get some red ones for the front keep us updated i dont think ive seen you car , what does it look like

Red side markers in the front is illegal. The side markers were just a test to see how well the paint covers up the orange.

I was just trying to get different options for painting the tail lights. Not too many people explored different spray paints. Everyone just uses the Testors Red because they know it works.

As for pics of my car, there are a some old ones on my website (in sig). Will post new ones in the next few days.

**Stealth** · 9-2-06, 21:46

I think the right one looks teh best.

Testors looks the worst...

**H_Type** · 9-2-06, 21:58

I say far right one cause it does not "paint" jsut coats the surface.. hard to explane..

**bptz_intocable** · 9-2-06, 22:10

i used testors for my tails and it turned out preety good not foggy or anything i also used a clear coat too i duno ill post a pic of the outcome wen i get a chance

**max626** · 9-3-06, 0:07

The 3rd from left basicly the right one looks good in the last 2 pics.

**msequence** · 9-3-06, 12:08

How about if you open your lights and paint from the inside...

Now here is an idea.. !!!! I will post pics of how mine turned out all tinted yet ohh so so so smooth on the outside.. !!!

Matt

**Kansas** · 9-3-06, 12:11

^^^^^
hmmmmm interesting, but the plasic is actually orange in the blinkers on the tails, would painting form the inside work?

**Stealth** · 9-4-06, 16:07

Have fun getting the tails apart. The adhesive is not like on the headlights. When heating up the tails the adhesive doesnt soften.

I cracked a set of taillights trying to open them....

If you want them open, you will have to cut them open and epoxy them back together.

**kid_puma** · 9-4-06, 16:16

i have an extra set of painted Oem tails if anything happens to the ones you have now pm whenever

**msequence** · 9-4-06, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth

Have fun getting the tails apart. The adhesive is not like on the headlights. When heating up the tails the adhesive doesnt soften.

I cracked a set of taillights trying to open them....

If you want them open, you will have to cut them open and epoxy them back together.

no one never said that a dremmel wasnt used..

but no.. I have a spare set of tails.. I just used testors on mine but took my time.. if you see them they look like gloss.. and I didnt even use clear coat

Matt

**KE.street.style** · 9-7-06, 14:55

I used 2 coats of the candy apple red and two coats of clear. It turned out great! people don't even notice I changed anything, which means I did it well enough to make it look stock. I wouldn't change paints at all, personally. The candy red works wonders.

**[Danjamin]** · 9-7-06, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth

Have fun getting the tails apart. The adhesive is not like on the headlights. When heating up the tails the adhesive doesnt soften.

I cracked a set of taillights trying to open them....

If you want them open, you will have to cut them open and epoxy them back together.

I've used the 'oven method' to get tails apart

. It just takes more patience because there are molded in clip-like things all the way around. You just have to pry them apart as you go. You do have to be very careful though.
Anyway... I agree, the one one the right looks nicest

. Testors did seem a bit cloudy when I used it on my tail lamp now that you point it out.

**MetalMatrix** · 9-7-06, 18:29

I've been kind of lazy lately and my free time has dropped due to school and work. I'm hoping to paint the tail lights on Saturday or Sunday. I'll post pics after.

9-2-06, 18:51	#1 (permalink)
MetalMatrix Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Painting Tail Lamps I hate the orange turn signals in the tail lamps. So I figured I should paint my tail lights all red. I had 2 orange side markers to test with so I decided to try 2 different spray paints. So far I'm liking the new colour more than the Testors Candy Apple Red that every recommends. Haven't been able to paint my tail lights because of the rain outside but I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen with them using the Krylon Paint. Pictures: Left Side Marker: Orange Marker painted with Testors Candy Apple Red (3 Layers of Paint + 2 Layers of Clear Coat) Center Side Marker: OEM Red Side Marker Right Side Marker: Orange Marker painted with Krylon Stained Glass Paint (2 Layers of Paint + 3 Layers of Clear Coat) ** DO NOT use MotorMaster Clear coat paint. It is utter crap. Get a better name brand one! Overall, Testors Candy Apple Red is a lighter red that seems pretty foggy. (Last picture without flash you can really tell.) The Krylon paint is a dark red that is much closer to the OEM. (Although, slightly darker.) Where To Buy: Testors can be purchased at a local hobby store and I bought the Krylon Stain Glass paint from 'Michael's Arts and Crafts ======================================================== Got them painted. Came out a little darker than I was expecting but once I finish cleaning the tail lamps up and give it a little more shine I think it will be really good. Already got the lights dusty. ======================================================== Final Picture. It looks much better on the car. Cleaner and shinnier than the picture. The dark red is perfect and goes great with the silver! Matches the spoiler LED light too. Last edited by MetalMatrix : 9-17-06 at 19:09. Reason: All information moved into one post.
	~Thomas Custom Kitted MX6

9-2-06, 20:23	#2 (permalink)
kid_puma Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ottawa,Ontario (Nations Capital), Canada Age: 25 iTrader: (1)	very coool or just get some red ones for the front keep us updated i dont think ive seen you car , what does it look like
	© *MX6.COM*

9-2-06, 21:46	#4 (permalink)
Stealth Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Trying to stay at home Age: 24 iTrader: (2)	I think the right one looks teh best. Testors looks the worst...
	Current Location : Saint Michael MN Project Silo CF Dash with TV CHEAP

9-3-06, 0:07	#7 (permalink)
max626 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Queens, New York, NY, USA Age: 19 iTrader: (2)	The 3rd from left basicly the right one looks good in the last 2 pics.
	Iam just a regular everyday normal guy. TT Project.

9-3-06, 12:08	#8 (permalink)
msequence Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Mississauga iTrader: (0)	How about if you open your lights and paint from the inside... Now here is an idea.. !!!! I will post pics of how mine turned out all tinted yet ohh so so so smooth on the outside.. !!! Matt
	There are those who like hondas, and those who like Mx6's... I like women.. word!!!! Official MX6.com granddaddy... or if you have a pretty girlfriend.. i'll be the suggardaddy. Former MX6 Owner... always an MX6 lover at heart.

9-2-06, 22:10	#6 (permalink)
bptz_intocable Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bridgeport, CT, USA Age: 19 iTrader: (0)	i used testors for my tails and it turned out preety good not foggy or anything i also used a clear coat too i duno ill post a pic of the outcome wen i get a chance

9-3-06, 12:11	#9 (permalink)
Kansas Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lee's Summit, MO iTrader: (0)	^^^^^ hmmmmm interesting, but the plasic is actually orange in the blinkers on the tails, would painting form the inside work?
	TeamRaginKansasioCo-Founder People's Clockless Republic of goatcrapp VP

9-4-06, 16:07	#10 (permalink)
Stealth Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Trying to stay at home Age: 24 iTrader: (2)	Have fun getting the tails apart. The adhesive is not like on the headlights. When heating up the tails the adhesive doesnt soften. I cracked a set of taillights trying to open them.... If you want them open, you will have to cut them open and epoxy them back together.
	Current Location : Saint Michael MN Project Silo CF Dash with TV CHEAP

9-4-06, 16:16	#11 (permalink)
kid_puma Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ottawa,Ontario (Nations Capital), Canada Age: 25 iTrader: (1)	i have an extra set of painted Oem tails if anything happens to the ones you have now pm whenever
	© *MX6.COM*

9-7-06, 14:55	#13 (permalink)
KE.street.style Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: , NC, USA iTrader: (0)	I used 2 coats of the candy apple red and two coats of clear. It turned out great! people don't even notice I changed anything, which means I did it well enough to make it look stock. I wouldn't change paints at all, personally. The candy red works wonders.
	"There's a thin line between not listening, and not caring. I like to think I walk that line every day." ITCHY-FISH, YEAH!!!! Always remember; what goes around, comes around. That is the law of Karma.

9-7-06, 18:29	#15 (permalink)
MetalMatrix Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I've been kind of lazy lately and my free time has dropped due to school and work. I'm hoping to paint the tail lights on Saturday or Sunday. I'll post pics after.
	~Thomas Custom Kitted MX6