I have been looking at tail lights that are smoked or have a tint to them, and after researching and asking the paint pros I did mine during the Christmas break. Here are some pics of the process.

After wet sanding the tail lights with 1500 sanding paper, degreasing and applying plastic adhesive promoter I stared to build up the tinted clear.

Here is what the lights looked before they were tinted.


Her is two coats.


Four coats.


Six coats.


After the last coats.

 

looks good, i'd like to see them on the truck too.

is that legal?

 

Here are the lights once they are installed on the Expy.



Here are the materials that I used for this mod. (clear, tint for clear, clear hardener, strainer,touch-up gun, reducer, and respirator.


So, what do you guys think?

 

Nice! I have a regular hvlp spray gun which i used for painting my expy. Would this type of "bigger gun" be suitable for such a small job? Would I need to buy a speacial type of clear. I like the DuPont Chromaclear 2000, I have had good results with it. And lastl but certainly not least, what is this tinting additive and where can i get my hands on it? If possible can you tell me the proportions as to clear base to tinting additive. Thanks!

 

Yea the quart size gun would work you would still need to mix a small amount of clear about 6 to 8 onces. I used regular automotive clear PPG, Omni or any other should work. The tint that I used was from a local auto paint and supply shop, after I called and asked if there was a paint that you can add to clear to tint it and told them what I wanted to do, they told me that they had the tint in various colors. I bought a pint for about $10.000. It looks like regular paint to me. The mixing ratios for this additive is up to the individual that is applying the clear. You add the tint to the already mixed clear and hardener, add in small amounts and guage the color with your stir stick. I think I used a total of 6 onces of clear and added about 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of tint.

 

Ok thanks. I guess Ill just give my place a call and ask them about the tinting additive.