HOW TO: Tint your Tailights with VHT

[BlackCobra50]

Ok just wanted to make sure =) Thanks.

Mine are already wet sanded (with 600 grit) I gotta order some VHT now to finish it

 

[White5.0bra]

is there any way to take the bezels off ? i want to keep mine white and i have the horizontal ones ?

 

[jc95gt]

nope 94-95 bezels dont come apart...
use a lot of tape to mask around each individual light

i kno bummer right lol
its definitly worth it tho, cause

94-95 tails > 96-98 tails

 

[BlackCobra50]

96-98 tails > 94-95 tails

 

[94 nuclear banana]

Tint your Tailights with VHT

i tinted my lights using vht.taping the horizontal tails are a royal pain. i did all the taping myself but after spraying them i noticed it had soaked through the tape somehow. i took them to a local pinstriper and had him go around the lenses to give it a cleaner look. they came out looking great will post a pic soon.

 

[BlackCobra50]

^
Welcome to the site... lol
Post in the introduction thread. =)

 

[White5.0bra]

thanks i agree 94-95>96-98

 

[97GT4.6]

I think i am going to do mine soon as well. I love white cars with black accents.. we'll see how it turns out.

 

[1996mustangGT]

I think i am going to do mine soon as well. I love white cars with black accents.. we'll see how it turns out.

Beautiful! I love white w/black. Good contrast =)

 

[Black Ice]

IS THIS THE CORRECT WAY? STEP 1-SCUFF STEP 2- SPRAY VHT WITH AS MANY COATS TO DESIRED DARKNESS STEP3-DO I SAND AGAIN BEFORE I CLEAR THEM OR AFTER AND WITH WHAT GRIT SAND PAPER 4- WHAT KIND OF CLEAR ARE YOU GUYS USING 5-WHAT KIND OF BUFFING COMPOUND ARE YOU USING AND ARE YOU USING A MACHINE BUFFER 6- I WANT MINE TO BE GLOSSY. THANKS FOR ANY HELP

 

[Black Ice]

ANYBODY

 

[blown98gt]

a glossy finish is determined by the clear coat that you use

 

[1996mustangGT]

First and foremost, not to sound rude but try to not type in all caps

The gloss is a kinda touchy subject. There are a few different opinions on the 'gloss level'.
If you do the steps I did in the write up you have a semi-gloss finish.
To further enhace the finish apply a couple of layers of clear after the VHT is semi-dry.
For a mirror finish, apply the clear, wait 3-4 days to let the clear set up then buff it. BE CAREFUL! You cannot buff the clear for long, or you will burn it.

I didnt feel like taking the risk of buffing my tails so I did not clear them nor buff them and I still ended with a pretty glossy finish.
If your about 4-5 feet or more back my rear looks like solid black paint. It all blends.

tim

 

[justinschmidt1]

Getting a glossy finish with vht is kind of hard...

I clearcoated mine and buffed them...they look good to me.

 

[98mstanggt]

What grit sandpaper to use??? Im using 1500 grit right now

 

[1996mustangGT]

I ended up using like 600, then 800 IIRC. Then just sprayed over it.

 

[98mstanggt]

I used 400 grit sand paper, the hardest part was taping the tail lights turned out pretty good though :thumbsup:


Before

After

 

[1996mustangGT]

Looks good man!

 

[Drivesfords]

you guys think it would look good on my car?? i have wanted to do it but not sure if it will look right

 

[JDwhite98gt]

I wouldnt do your tails, the redness of the tails make a great offset to your paint.
I would really like to know,
1. What grit to wetsand with after I clear
2. I dont have a machine buffer, so can I buff them and get a decent gloss by hand?
3. If the answer to #2 is Yes, what kind of compound do I use to buff with?

I've tinted an old set before and have since went back to stock becasue with 3 coats it was way too dark on the white car and the dull finish made me feel like I was a sixteen year old punk driving a busted Honda with tinted tails thinking I was cool, Fast and furious YO. If I could get just a smoky red color and a glossy finish I would rock 'em.