Painting center taillight [Merged 11-6]

[twoTSis]

I used VHT Niteshades on the center and both tails, but I made sure to cover the reverse lights so they were not painted. I did it while I was drunk, that's how easy it is.

 

[twoTSis]

what paint you you recomend to use to paint the center tail-light piece? automotive paint for plastic spray paint from like wal-mart?

Automotive for sure.

 

[GST_Hatchback]

I plan on painting it tonight or tomorrow. I read on another site that you have to sand it. I thought I could just primer and paint. Do I need to sand it?

 

[black_eclipse96]

yes need to sand. primer will not adhere rite since it's so smooth

 

[GST_Hatchback]

yes need to sand. primer will not adhere rite since it's so smooth

do you know by chance what grit to use?

 

[ctcare89]

This may help:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/app...-painting-center-taillight-merged-11-6-a.html

 

[black_eclipse96]

yeah from the start try using 220 and increase from there

 

[InfiniteGSX]

I've done tons and never once sanded or primered. And to this day, except the one that was involved in a rear end collision, all of them look as good as they did from day one.

 

[GST_Hatchback]

I've done tons and never once sanded or primered. And to this day, except the one that was involved in a rear end collision, all of them look as good as they did from day one.

Really? I bought some 600 grit just to be safe...I got everything that I need besides the paint which I cant find anywhere.

 

[InfiniteGSX]

Its not that you don't have to. It always will work out better. I wouldn't go so far as that high of grit like 200 or whatever. I usually will just take a dish washing scrub pad and some brake cleaner and clean the living hell out of the surface, spray with the paint of my choice, and clear coat it. What I really like doing is painting with a flat color, flat red, flat black, flat white and then clear coating it to get the gloss, it really comes out alot nicer.

 

[agarc023]

Just a tip for those of you that want to keep the "Eclipse" letters on the tail piece clean while painting. Instead of using a bunch of masking tape, I used a liquid Frisket. It can be applied with a brush and it forms a protective film over the letters. When you're all done, just take something like a rubber eraser and just rub it off. The one I used on mine is called Miskit Frisket and I got it for about $6.00 at a Michael's Arts and Crafts store.

Just a warning though...when you're putting it on it will dry on clear and you may think that their isn't anything there, just make sure that you pass over the whole letter. IMO its a lot easier than messing with masking tape.

Hope it helps some people out there

 

[2GEEZEY]

I was wondering if theres a piece that goes on it or something because i see dsm's with it painted. I want to do the same. help?

 

[97 GSX 97]

Take the center taillight out and either spray paint it like a cheapo or spend around $100 or less to get it professionally painted. I got mine painted at Maaco for $50 and it still looks great 1 1/2 years later.

 

[Carlz0r]

Go to a local auto paint supply store and see if they can mix up some enamel matched to your car color and put it in a spray can, or you could get them to make a can of base and a can of clear, your choice. Take out the center tail-light, scuff it with some 500 grit paper, and spray it on in the following order:

1. Fairly light dust coat, just to get some base paint for the rest to stick to. Wait 10 minutes
2. Nice wet coat (No runs though!) to give it some good coverage. Wait 15 minutes, repeat if you can still see any of the tail-light lense.
3. One last coat in between light and medium-wet to lay down any metallics. Obviously this step only applies if you have a metallic paint job.
4. This step only applies if you got base/clear. Wait 15 minutes after the last coat of base, then apply a nice medium-wet coat of clear. Wait another 15 minutes, repeat.

This should cost $20 or less for single stage, closer to $30 for base/clear, and will turn out great.

 

[Boost4U]

Here's how I did the tail lights on my 92 laser.

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[Guzman08]

where can u buy the "eclipse" letters? besides the dealer? does anyone ahve the part number?

 

[snowborder714]

The part number is MB882512. I've never heard of anyone getting them from anywhere other than the dealer.

 

[Guzman08]

The part number is MB882512. I've never heard of anyone getting them from anywhere other than the dealer.

awesome!!! thanks man i really appreciate ## time!!! so thats just 4 the letters?

 

[Wellenrausch]

Any pics? I'd love to see how it came out.

Pls DSM worldwide family, enybody help!! I don't know how to create thread so I will post it hiere. Moder, sorry i'm from eastern Europe and don't know English so well.

So the question is how to make taillights like this?

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

The picture is of very low quality, but if I had to venture a guess, I have two possibilities:

• The dark/blacked-out portions are painted or vinyl wrapped.

• A custom LED setup.