Painting Taillights?

[luti]

I am contemplating buying some all clear tails for my car, but I want to paint them white over red. How do I do it? Is it ok to paint the outside, or should I dissasemble them and paint the inside?

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[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by luti
I am contemplating buying some all clear tails for my car, but I want to paint them white over red. How do I do it? Is it ok to paint the outside, or should I dissasemble them and paint the inside?

White over red? What car do you have?

[luti]

98 EX, I dont mean paint over them in white. I mean like the 99-00 Civic Tails that are red on top and white on bottom, but I want the opposite, white on top, red on bottom.

[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by luti
98 EX, I dont mean paint over them in white. I mean like the 99-00 Civic Tails that are red on top and white on bottom, but I want the opposite, white on top, red on bottom.

You're gonna need to change bulb placement too and change wiring...I'm not sure if it's really worth it. IMO it'd be kinda gay looking. But I suppose you could do it with some sort of plastic spray paint and just tape off the part you wanna leave clear.

[luti]

Swapping the bulbs is really no big deal, its the painting I'm a little worried about. If I paint the outside will it flake off? But how do I get to the inside to paint it?

[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by luti
Swapping the bulbs is really no big deal, its the painting I'm a little worried about. If I paint the outside will it flake off? But how do I get to the inside to paint it?

It's not the bulbs. You'll have to reqire it.

If you're gonna paint it, it's gotta be the inside. You're gonna have to pop the taillights open. I would ask in the Civic forum for better instructions on that

[Cashis EG8]

It's fine to paint the outside. I've done two sets already and neither of them have faded.

[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by Cashis EG8
It's fine to paint the outside. I've done two sets already and neither of them have faded.

I think it'd look better painted from the inside. But whatever

[Mystikallobster]

heres a picture of my tailights that have been painted... they were painted translucent black from the outside

[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by Mystikallobster
heres a picture of my tailights that have been painted... they were painted translucent black from the outside

Isn't that dangerous?

[Mystikallobster]

Originally posted by 98CoupeV6
Isn't that dangerous?

heh i guess its more dangerouse than having them not painted but the brake lights do shine through almost as bright as unpainted, however it is illegal ive gotten 2 fix it tickets for them (i live in Huntington Beach CA) but i like it so i just deal with the fix it tickets they are signed off by a friend of mine who is a cop and with proof of correction its only a $10 dollar fine

[98CoupeV6]

Originally posted by Mystikallobster
heh i guess its more dangerouse than having them not painted but the brake lights do shine through almost as bright as unpainted, however it is illegal ive gotten 2 fix it tickets for them (i live in Huntington Beach CA) but i like it so i just deal with the fix it tickets they are signed off by a friend of mine who is a cop and with proof of correction its only a $10 dollar fine

As long as you can see the brake light clearly during the day, I suppose. But I prefer the contrasting red of the stock taillights...what you did kinda makes it look like those cheap headlight/taillight covers that all the Cavaliers have Shoulda painted it yellow to be unique

[Samson]

Originally posted by 98CoupeV6
I think it'd look better painted from the inside. But whatever

painting a clear lense red from the inside will not give a true red appearence. Most people just buy the Candy Apple Red Testors brand tranparent paint, and spray the lenses from the outside, which gives it a nice look + add some clear coat/gloss to it and your set.

Sean

[crash]

yes,paint the out side,when you get the result you want,give it a few layers of clear coat.

[hoophype84]

yo Mystikallobster
u mind telling me how u did? where did u get the paint to do that? it looks pretty good, i have a black car and have been wanting to do that to it..i dont know if i rather do black or yellow( to go with my interior) i think yellow would def. look different but i dont know if i coul get the specialty paint that may be recquired to do this...a little help would be greatly appreciated. ive got a 99 civic (the one with the lights most peeps rave about)

[94civicEX]

I hear paint from like a hobby store will work the best for this...there is a specific kind, but I don't know exactly what it is called.

[hoophype84]

geez 94civicEX
thanx for ALL the USEFUL advice =)

[97Civic123]

I used the Candy Apple Red Testors brand tranparent paint, but after a few months, the paint started to fade, then i had to repaint. got so lazy, just threw the tails away. does anyone know any other kind of paint to use, that's more durable? im planning on doing it again, but this time differently..

[Duff Man]

testors link $4.29

...and here's mine (all clear to half red conversion):



^ I smoked the top half with testors RC car window tint (to match my front corners *sig*)