How-To: Nightshade Tail lights

[LilSparkPlug]

Okay...here goes. This is the best way I have found to Nightshade your tails without going to a bodyshop and get them to look OEM as far as glossiness goes.

You will need:
- 600 grit sandpaper wet-to-dry
- Soft block (for sanding)
- Dawn or Wax/Tar Grease Remover
- Tack rag (if you so desire)
- VHT nightshades
- UPOL Clear No. 1 Clear coat

Steps:
1. Clean any/all debris off the taillight, using Dawn/Pamolive or Wax/Tar grease remover.

2. Grab some 600 grit sandpaper, and wetsand them until you have a uniform dull finish.

3. Clean them again, using Wax/Tar grease remover, soap w/no silicone or dawn.

4. Tape off the sides and back of the taillight so nothing gets on them when you nightshade them. You don't want overspray. Use 3M Fineline tape on the reverse light if you want to do like I did and leave it white.

5. Clean them again, don't moisten the tape too much if you are using a Dawn type solution. Wax/tar grease remover is best.

6. Spray your first coat of nightshades using 50% overlap on each stroke, then read the back of the can. I believe its 5-10 minutes in between coats. DO NOT wait any longer it will flake/peel off.

7. Spray as many coats as desired. Then wait 5-10 minutes after your last coat before clearing.

8. If you masked off your reverse light, remove the tape (GENTLY) at this time so that you don't have a "bump" where the clear coat ends and the reverse light begins. It will allow for a uniform finish.

9. Spray 2-3 coats ONLY of the UPOL clear using 50% overlap on strokes, anymore and it will lift on you as most clears do. Wait 5-10 minutes in between coats, and 25-30 minutes after your last coat to handle them. 24 hours before you put them on the car....trust me on that one.


I recommend the UPOL clear because it is UV protectant and around $18 a can. Its the best clear you can buy without buying one that has a hardener in it for $25+ dollars. You can buy it online or at your local autobody supply store. It has a VERY high gloss level. Here are mine:





I believe I have a bit over 6 coats on there, and you can still see them at night. Although during the day you can't see the running lights only the brake/turn signals.

[sp33d]

very nice write-up !! Great Job !
~Jen

[LilSparkPlug]

Thanks I posted it on another forum and forgot to transfer it over.

[popejoshpope]

very good write! I liked the masked reverse light. good job

[popejoshpope]

Also when ive done this, i sprayed the room down with water in a windex bottle or something so there will be minimal dust and dog hair

[kritical]

nice write up..

[1FAMOUSRT4]

awsome write up,well i just got done doin it 2day man it was soo hard to find UPOL clear but after i got everythin i did it and came out awsome..

[LilSparkPlug]

Thanks! UPOL isn't the easiest to find, sometimes your best bet is to order it online since most auto body supply stores aren't 100% sure what it is. It's a great product though and the fact that you can keep re-using it makes it better than a two part spray can clear.

[incrediblebulk19]

Awesome write-up, I'll be doing mine this weekend. I just bought my supplies from auto zone, totalled up to about $40, cheap mods ftw! Thanks for the info, I'll post pics as soon as they're done.

[ZPI28]

Great write up, looks great and is cheaper that aftermarkets..

[rasp]

mattyice should check out this post so he quits doing shitty tint jobs.

[popejoshpope]

Quote: Originally Posted by rasp

mattyice should check out this post so he quits doing shitty tint jobs.

haha i heard about his "work" if you can call it that, honestly this is so easy to do

[LilSparkPlug]

Thanks. It really is very simple and it comes out awesome if you take your time.

[d_fl8ted1]

good write up girl.... i am in the process of doing mine... only difference is i will be using my spray gun to spray the clear...

I have often thought about just mixing black into my clear and doing a candy type setup... and putting 4 or 5 coats on them...

[LilSparkPlug]

Thanks You could do that also if you had the access to it. I know a few people who've paid to have that done and have achieved great results.