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Custom Taillight Question

2gGSXEclipse

15+ Year Contributor
398
4
Apr 7, 2008
847, Illinois
So I started my taillights this weekend. I put them in the oven and seperated the lenses from the housings. I am going to paint the inside of the lenses with VHT night shade. My question is the center taillight has a silver paint(pretty sure its used for reflection) that I am looking to get off. Tried to use paint thinner and it did nothing. Wondering if anyone has ideas of how to get this coating off the plastic.
 

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bryceorbiter

15+ Year Contributor
55
0
Jan 14, 2008
Freeland, Michigan
Sand it down, thats what most people who illuminate the center tail have done to get rid of it.
 

2gGSXEclipse

15+ Year Contributor
398
4
Apr 7, 2008
847, Illinois
When you tint the inside it gives it this kinda Dark Cherry look to the taillights....Plus you keep the shine of the plastic since your not adding any VHT to the outside so it requires no clear,sanding or buffing. Thanks for the help guys will post up pics once done.
 

Tanro

10+ Year Contributor
2,463
88
Jul 22, 2009
Montgomery, Alabama
Sandpaper, scotch pads or a wire wheel will be your friend here.

Nice idea doing the insides. Keeps the OEM look but still a bit different. I honestly hate all the aftermarket tail lights. They all look like crap.
 

2gGSXEclipse

15+ Year Contributor
398
4
Apr 7, 2008
847, Illinois
Got em all done today. Wet sanded and buffed outside of taill lights and they look BRAND new. Looks good overall. Will post pics this weekend when I put the lenses back in the housings and install back on to the ride
 

azdave

15+ Year Contributor
502
23
Nov 25, 2003
Gilbert, Arizona
I have always used lacquer thinner to clear the center section of silver paint.
You have to work small sections at a time and not leave it on too long or the plastic gets soft on the surface. I use lots of paper towels and don't try to go too fast.
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I just buffed out a set of Talon tails this weekend to throw on CL for sale. They came out awesome.
No clearcoat...all just buffing with 3-steps of compound.
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2gGSXEclipse

15+ Year Contributor
398
4
Apr 7, 2008
847, Illinois
Heres a little sneak peak. They are ALOT darker in the picture then actually in person. They look more dark cherry when you see them.
 

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RallyEclipse98

15+ Year Contributor
969
28
Jul 31, 2007
Dallas, Texas
I have always used lacquer thinner to clear the center section of silver paint.
You have to work small sections at a time and not leave it on too long or the plastic gets soft on the surface. I use lots of paper towels and don't try to go too fast.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.


I just buffed out a set of Talon tails this weekend to throw on CL for sale. They came out awesome.
No clearcoat...all just buffing with 3-steps of compound.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Write up? Those look factory fresh!
 

bryceorbiter

15+ Year Contributor
55
0
Jan 14, 2008
Freeland, Michigan
Looks nice man, now i wanna kinda run that look since my car is Black. I just gotta get my rims painted black too and go for that blacked out look.
 

EAG13GSX

Probationary Member
21
0
Sep 21, 2009
Concord, California
here you go guys i already did mine last week i didnt take my lights apart but i think they came out pretty good for a talon!!!

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1/Rich2713/22357_1317282048797_1133114976_9975.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1/Rich2713/22357_1317282808816_1133114976_9975.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 

azdave

15+ Year Contributor
502
23
Nov 25, 2003
Gilbert, Arizona
Write up? Those look factory fresh!

There are a hundred sites with how-to's for cutting and buffing automotive paint. I didn't do anything special except use a quality buffer with good buffing pads and compounds.
 

RallyEclipse98

15+ Year Contributor
969
28
Jul 31, 2007
Dallas, Texas
here you go guys i already did mine last week i didnt take my lights apart but i think they came out pretty good for a talon!!!

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1/Rich2713/22357_1317282048797_1133114976_9975.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1/Rich2713/22357_1317282808816_1133114976_9975.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

You painted them right on the car?
 
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