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DIY Tail light painting


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So I decided to paint the chrome of my tail lights black, because I wanted the look of the Sport lights without paying 160.00 per light.

 

Here is a little DIY.

 

 

Tools Needed:

-Flat head screw driver

-RTV Silicone sealant

-Oven

-Star looking screw driver

-Painters tape

 

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Okay, so I Pre heated my oven a little to high . (320 for 15 min- DO NOT DO) I would recommend 250-270 degrees and work from there.

First I did about 15 min.....a bit too long.......so say 6-10 min to start.

 

Obviously take the light off of the SUV. Place it on a cookie sheet, while oven is pre heating.

Once oven is ready, stick the light in and set the timer. (10 min)

 

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As it cooks, get your supplies ready if you have not done so.

 

Take light out and place it on a table or counter. (work space)....here you can turn the oven off if you want to let it cool a bit.

 

Let the light cool for a minute so you don't start warping the hot plastic.

 

Once its cool to the touch take flat head screw driver and start at the top. Work your way around twisting the screwdriver. You will hear some popping and cracking.

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That's just the glue separating from the light. Don't freak out.

 

Side note: If the glue is not separating PLEASE put the light back in the oven for a couple of minutes, while the oven is cooling. Dont want to crack the plastic.

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Once the cover is off, you can now flip over the light to the back. There is three (3) star shaped screws that need to be removed.

 

 

 

 

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Unscrew them and place them in a safe place. Now take the chrome insert and start taping the areas you dont want painted. I used a utility knife to get as close as i could to the edges.

 

 

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Now you are ready to paint.

 

I used Plast Dip, because I like how it adheres to plastic, and can be removed if you mess up.

 

Also I painted my lights in the basement, not the best idea if you live with other people. IE your wife : /

 

For plasit dip i applied my first coat about 50%, just to let the paint stick to the chrome plastic.

waited 15-20 between coats and applied second coat. This coat was about 80% coverage.

Third and fourth were 100%.

 

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I would recommend at least 4 coats for good coverage.

 

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Silicone time:

Once you are done painting and fixing your mess ups. Its time to take the tape off and apply the silicone.

Im using clear silicone, there are alot of other brands and types so its really personal preference.

Cut the top to desired bead and apply it to the edge of the actual light. not the lens. I followed the original glue pattern.

Push clear lens and light together so they become as one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ill post pictures later as i am writing this as my paint is drying

Edited by Whiteknight08
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Never use a heat gun! Only the oven method. No more than 260 degrees for 8-10. Then slowly work open the lens. When the lamp cools, stick it back into the one for 5 minutes and continue prying. Key is to keep the lamp warm and taking your time.

 

We are actually developing a blacked out reflector version of our EDGE LED taillight. I'm hoping to have a prototype finished in a couple of weeks. I'll post a picture here when it's finished.

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  • 1 month later...

I was nervous the first time I did this to a pair of headlights a couple years back. It is very easy. Just heat oven to 250 degrees, and work slowly. Like kc300c said, keeping the headlights warm is key to tearing them apart. Also I would recommend using butyl tape/ribbon sealer to seal the headlights back up. It gives you a better seal and will be easier to take the lights apart if needed in the future.

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  • 5 months later...
  • 5 years later...
3 hours ago, soUNTOUCHABLE said:

I really wish i could see the images from OP, none of them will load though.


The photos were posted in early 2014, around the time PhotoBucket started locking out pics shared on forums.  The OP might also have removed them from that service by now.  Try connecting with WhiteKnight08 directly to see if that user still has the pics.

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