fix tinted taillights?

[sleeperstang]

so i tinted my taillights today with nite shades and cant seem to get them looking shiny and smooth. any ideas?

 

[CC'S95GT]

did you put any clear over them?

 

[sleeperstang]

yea about 2-3 coats of clear

 

[CC'S95GT]

wet sand with 2000 and 3000 grit paper and clear again.
Did you wet sand and clean the vht before the clear?

 

[joekd]

Wet sand exactly as described above and also finish with some polish and wax

 

[sleeperstang]

no ididnt wet sand at all, can i still do that now or do i have to strip it all off?
also ive got 1000 grit lyin around the house, will that work or should i just go buy some 1500-2000?

 

[CC'S95GT]

you really need the 2000-3000 grit
you can try it now and it you don't like the finish just sand it all off again. and start from scratch

 

[sleeperstang]

ok thanks, i just wet sanded them down with 1000 and sprayed them again, they came out a little better. this is with no clear coat. should i go buy some 2000-3000 and wet sand them, clear coat, then polish? or just leave them?

 

[Javi]

dude you can remove the bezels there are 3 screws at the bottom of each bezel, if that makes it easier for ya

 

[CC'S95GT]

I think lightly sand w/2000 and then clear. If it's not glossy enough hit it with the 3000 and some polish

 

[sleeperstang]

ok cool ill get some tonight, thanks, and really 3 screws? ill have to look for them next time,lol thanks.

 

[Javi]

LOL you didnt know man?

 

[sleeperstang]

ok so i wet sanded and polished my taillights and this is what they look like. the pics up close still look red but a few feet back they are pretty dark. should i go darker?

 

[CC'S95GT]

IDK man. It's up to you. Maybe 1 more coat. As you sand it's get lighter. If you go too dark the popo will be on you, and it makes it harder to see them in the day light.

 

[Win]

I think if you Wet Sand it some more it will shine up some more also.

 

[sleeperstang]

ok so now im on my 3rd try with these and the lenses are coming out with scratches and swirl marks. i sprayed the vht, wet sanded with 1500-2000, then clear coated,and wet sanded again and polished. am i doing something wrong or missing something?

 

[justinschmidt1]

I wouldnt use clear with vht unless its automotive and coming out of an air gun.



I would say wet sand with 1500 and 2000 grit and polish them lightly

 

[Dr Fildo]

What shape were they in before you painted them? Were they smooth and shiny, or were they hazy before you used the VHT?

 

[sleeperstang]

smooth and shiny, like brand new

 

[TxCobrA98]

they are coming out with scratches and swirl marks because your are using a final sandpaper with a 1500 grit. much to low. you need to go buy 2000-3000. 2 and 3000 grit paper is basically like rubbing paper on your lenses but will smooth them up and get rid of swirl marks.

you are using to low of a grit to be finishing with. id sand it down, spray it, wet sand in 3 steps 1500, 2000, then 3000. clear it, polish and wax it. should look like sex after that.