Tinted rear clusters

[CJ]

I never much liked the orange indicator section of the rear clusters, especially on lighter coloured FTOs so I decided to tint them red on my GPX. I covered the other parts of the cluster with masking tape and used about 10 light coats of tint spray, I like the end result, what do you think?





You can still make out the orange slightly but I didn't want to go too heavily as the light intensity jumps down if you use too much of the stuff.
At a tenner a pop, its a nice cheap mod that dosn't look out of place.

Ciaran

[Speedyboy]

looks really well, I seen someone on the uk OC with something similar. Lexus clusters are mad money and I dont like clears but thats sweet

Off topic but is that an aftermarket exhaust???

R

[keville]

Looks well Ciaran.......Is there any prob with the law with regards to the colour of rear clusters?

Keville

[CJ]

Off topic but is that an aftermarket exhaust???R

Yep, its a Mongoose SS cat back exhaust mated to a cat bypass pipe, a few of the guys have one. It a wider bore than the original and its not to loud @ low RPM. When you open her up, it sounds sweet though

Ciaran

[CJ]

Looks well Ciaran.......Is there any prob with the law with regards to the colour of rear clusters?

Keville

Its light intensity thats the problem and not the colour of the lights. In my case, the resulting light is slightly dimmer and less orange but its not that noticable. A way around this would be to fit some high output LED bulbs that emit more light.

Ciaran

[Kace]

I like it CJ. Will you sell me the other half of your tin of tint spray so that I can do mine? Will only have cost you 5 bills then.

KC

[CJ]

I like it CJ. Will you sell me the other half of your tin of tint spray so that I can do mine? Will only have cost you 5 bills then.

I doubt theres enough left to do another set KC , it was the second time I sprayed the clusters, I removed the original 15 coats (!) as I put too much on to begin with

Ciaran

[Kace]

Sounds like you've done the trial and error for me then in terms of the optimal number of coats.

Where do I buy the stuff then ?

KC

[CJ]

I got it here as I was already ordering some bits from them but you should be able to pick the stuff up in any decent motor accessories shop.

Ciaran

[Kace]

CJ - did you actually have to remove the clusters to spray them or did you do it all while they were still in place ?

Haven't got the stuff yet but hoping to find it in a Motor Factors - anyone know of any good places that might have it ?

[JD]

The motor accessory shop at Liffey Valley stock it (not in the main Liffey Valley centre - its beside Compustore on the way to B&Q), but I was in two weeks ago and they were out of the red colour - said they'd be getting it back in though, but weren't sure when. I'll check next time I'm going by.
JD

[TAF]

CJ did you use any product to make the finish shineier or is it like that when the job is done. Also how long did you leave each coat to dry and did you remove the lights. They look wicked a bit like porsche lights.

Cheers mate.
TAF

[Kace]

You should ideally do this when the weather gets warmer as the paint will take longer to dry and may not adhere properly otherwise.

You can do it in the cold but be sure to use a hair dryer / heat gun liberally at all times to make sure that the lenses are warm. Only takes 10-15 mins for the coats to dry.

[CJ]

Update: myself and Kace found out that the tint disappears after a month or two due to rain, washing etc so I decided to do it properly this time
I used 800 and 1200 grade wet and dry sandpaper and took the surface off the lenses, put on 7 or 8 coats of tint over the orange section and then 5 coats of cellulose based clear laquer on top. I'll give it a day to dry properly and then wax the lenses to bring the shine up. Hopefully that should do the trick.

CJ

[Kace]

I'm convinced that the spray I used from the motorfactors in liff val was sh1t. What did you use this time and where did you get the laquer ?

I think foliatec is the one to use - anyone know a supplier ?

[JD]

I don't know if they mail to Ireland but have you tried here http://www.motor-world.co.uk/kroozin/ca ... 7dade2d64b
The paint isn't available for online orders, you have to ring them, but if they won't send it over they might know if anyone sells/distributes it over here.
JD

[CJ]

I'm convinced that the spray I used from the motorfactors in liff val was sh1t. What did you use this time and where did you get the laquer ?

I think foliatec is the one to use - anyone know a supplier ?

I used 'Savage', I bought it off a UK site at the time. I'm convinced that the clear laquer (bought from motor factors) will do the trick and seal in the tint, time will tell I suppose.

CJ

[Diddler]

I spotted a lovely MK2 Golf GTI a few months back, He had sprayed the rear clusters blue, which really set of the pearlisent paint. Me thinks I'll do the same.
I want to put Blue and silver flip on mine!