The Top DSM Community on the Web

For 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser, and Galant VR-4 Owners. Log in to remove most ads.

Please Support RTM Racing
Please Support ExtremePSI

Custom Taillight Question

This site may earn a commission from merchant
affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

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.
 

Attachments

  • IMG00032-20100228-1422.jpg
    IMG00032-20100228-1422.jpg
    49.6 KB · Views: 279
  • IMG00033-20100228-1422.jpg
    IMG00033-20100228-1422.jpg
    55.9 KB · Views: 276
  • IMG00034-20100228-1422.jpg
    IMG00034-20100228-1422.jpg
    60.1 KB · Views: 286
  • IMG00035-20100228-1422.jpg
    IMG00035-20100228-1422.jpg
    47.2 KB · Views: 279
Sand it down, thats what most people who illuminate the center tail have done to get rid of it.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 

Attachments

  • IMG00036-20100303-1221.jpg
    IMG00036-20100303-1221.jpg
    29 KB · Views: 154
  • IMG00037-20100303-1221.jpg
    IMG00037-20100303-1221.jpg
    34 KB · Views: 153
  • IMG00038-20100303-1222.jpg
    IMG00038-20100303-1222.jpg
    56 KB · Views: 157
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!
 
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.
 
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>
 
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.
 
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?
 
Support Vendors who Support the DSM Community
Boosted Fabrication ECM Tuning ExtremePSI Fuel Injector Clinic Innovation Products Jacks Transmissions JNZ Tuning Kiggly Racing Morrison Fabrications MyMitsubishiStore.com RixRacing RockAuto RTM Racing STM Tuned

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds

Back
Top