Tinted rear lights

[TopCat]

Some of the work undertaken at the weekend...

Didn't want to go too heavy on the tint first time round, but very happy with the effect. Don't think there's any need for a guide, but if anyone is going at it, one bit of advice. Be patient! I wasn't, had to sand down the whole f'n lot and start again!

[fatboyfat7]

Ive been thinking about getting this done, how exactely did you do it? looks very IMO.

[TopCat]

Not a lot to it really. This is how I did it, but of course usual disclaimer, and this is only how I did it, and I'm no expert.

1) Remove lights. 4 nuts each side, pull out, then unscrew bulbs. (Doing them in place would be a bit tricky IMO)
2) Sanding. I sanded down the lettering first, and then gave the whole lot a sanding all over. Started with a 180 grit, and then worked back up to 1200.
3) Clean. Wipe off dust, and then use white spirits or something to remove any grease etc.
4) Tint. Apparently there is a tint for glass which could corrode plastic, so just be careful to get the right one. Spray on in nice even thin layers. You build up the darkness you want, so there's some judgment here. This can be done reasonably quick. The instructions on the can said 1 min between layers, so anything over this is ok.
5) Drying. Once you have a depth of colour you want, give it some time. 4/5 hours min, preferably over night. I brought mine inside after an hour (let the fumes ease some bit) where it was a bit warmer. From what I gather from the tint can, this is now ready to replace on the car. I wanted a tougher finish though.
6) Lacquer. You MUST let the tint dry sufficiently to do this. Otherwise the lacquer will react with the tint, it'll run, and generally make a mess of your lights. Again, build up 2/3 thin layers, but you need to give more time between coats here, maybe 15/30 mins. After the final coat, give it a min of 4hours to set, preferably more.
7) Refitting. You're ready to plug back in the bulbs and refit the finished product.

Mine ended up with a slightly matt finish, which looks kinda cool. When I get time again, I plan on giving it a compounding and polish to get a nice gloss finish. Will let you know how that goes.

[colm_mcm]

one little problem is that your reverse light will appear purple.

Ah well, I can't talk, I have red indicators!

[TopCat]

..one little problem is that your reverse light will appear purple...

Surprizingly not. I was worried about the colours being distrorted, but with the black tint, it just dulls them, but not by much. In fact, during the day, the lights look very clear because they are outlined my the black all around. I'll try and get some pics of the light on during the day, and at night.
p.s. I also had a quick test of shining another headlight on it at night, and the reflector is still visable, so I'm gonna leave them on for the NCT. I think the trick is to not go OTT with the tint.

[Dragonheart]

one little problem is that your reverse light will appear purple.

Ah well, I can't talk, I have red indicators!

Only in the day time Colm, for some reason you're indicators look orange in the night through the tint! Spotted that at the last meet.

[Myfeckin FTO]

Nice job on the tint - looks well.
One thing though - Whats with the huge Mivec sticker on the rear?

[TopCat]

..Whats with the huge Mivec sticker on the rear?

I was gonna ask you! That will be going too. Gonna be a real clean car, and only too colours, silver, and black.
Oh wait, blue too.

[Bernard]

When you say black, I take it you're talking about tyres and rubber seals...

[Dave]

I reckon the exhaust tips could use a polish too, they're looking a little dull!

[Myfeckin FTO]

When you say black, I take it you're talking about tyres and rubber seals...

Well the rims are black.

[Myfeckin FTO]

Please note the lack on stickers on my bare ass from when I had the FTO
(apart from the FTO logo).

[Bernard]

When you say black, I take it you're talking about tyres and rubber seals...

Well the rims are black.

OK, Rims, tyres and rubber seals.... just don't get carried away

[TopCat]

I reckon the exhaust tips could use a polish too, they're looking a little dull!

Yes, yes, all in good time. I was gonna give it a clean at the weekend, but with the state of the roads these days, the car would be as bad again by the time I drove from Mayo back to Limerick.

Please note the lack on stickers..

Yes sir, noted!
And yeah, just blackened the lights to go with the windows and black rims. Might give them a respray if I get round to it, but just to tidy them up (I'll say nothing about Myfeckin's parkin..), and would be leaving them black.

[Myfeckin FTO]

.............I'll say nothing about Myfeckin's parkin....

Fecker
Note condition of the rims on pic taken a couple of days before she was sold by me.
2 years have passed since I owned this FTO remember.


BTW - I purposefully didn't laquer those rims (previously made this mistake when powdercoating) so that it'll be simple to just touch up the rims whenever needed.

[Bernard]

I don't know Shane.... that top pic is pretty dark

[TopCat]

BTW - I purposefully didn't laquer those rims (previously made this mistake when powdercoating) so that it'll be simple to just touch up the rims whenever needed.

See, even when you were painting them you had no confidence in your own parking ability!!
Ah no, in all honesty, even after two years in someone elses hands, the rims are almost spotless. I've only really noted one spot where it got a nick. But I have to give her proper clean one of these days and I'll give them a proper inspection then.
Question, is the paint itself as strong/resistant to chipping as the laquer? I thought one of the reasons (other than aesthetic) to laquer something is to give it a tougher finish?

[Myfeckin FTO]

...
Question, is the paint itself as strong/resistant to chipping as the laquer? I thought one of the reasons (other than aesthetic) to laquer something is to give it a tougher finish?

Well no the paint isn't going to be as hardwearing without lacquer - however they WILL still get kerbed/stonechipped etc and when that happens it'll be a lot tougher to touch up without looking like a botch job.

Been there - done that etc etc

[Sebastian]

they look aggressive ToM , good job


and yes get rid of the sticker !