S4 Tail Light Restoration
#1
Marvelous Hedonist
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S4 Tail Light Restoration
If anyone has thought about restoring their S4 tails, go for it. It was not that challenging and I am quite pleased with the results. This was my first paint experience.
Before
After
Before
After
Last edited by DavidHolmesIII; 04-10-08 at 12:54 AM.
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Sanding started with light grit hobby paper, non scratch scotchbrite, and gradually decreased the grit until it was as smooth as I could make it. Then Cleaned with alcohol.
1st Stage of sanding.
2nd Stage of sanding.
Painting Gloss Black
Starting Clear Coats
Just for fun.
4 coats of gloss black, sanded between. 4 coats of clear coat.
1st Stage of sanding.
2nd Stage of sanding.
Painting Gloss Black
Starting Clear Coats
Just for fun.
4 coats of gloss black, sanded between. 4 coats of clear coat.
#7
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I know S5 tails are the norm as far as aesthetics are concerned, but I like my S4. I'm proud of it. I'm actually going for a total restoration.
Last edited by DavidHolmesIII; 04-10-08 at 01:45 AM.
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#10
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I actually have a plastic compound that will restore the shine to the trim and spoiler, but it only lasts 6 months, its been 9 since I last applied it. I'll do that soon and post it on this thread.
#12
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Black them things out.
I have a friend that works at a body shop. Mix up a 4:1 ratio of clear to black and paint them in the position they are on the car (for paint flow reasons.)
I like the look...heres a pic
<a href="http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s5000010uf6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2294/s5000010uf6.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img604.imageshack.us/content.php?page=blogpost&files=img186/2294/s5000010uf6.jpg" title="QuickPost"><img src="http://imageshack.us/img/butansn.png" alt="QuickPost" border="0"></a> Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
I have a friend that works at a body shop. Mix up a 4:1 ratio of clear to black and paint them in the position they are on the car (for paint flow reasons.)
I like the look...heres a pic
<a href="http://img186.imageshack.us/my.php?image=s5000010uf6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2294/s5000010uf6.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img604.imageshack.us/content.php?page=blogpost&files=img186/2294/s5000010uf6.jpg" title="QuickPost"><img src="http://imageshack.us/img/butansn.png" alt="QuickPost" border="0"></a> Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!
#14
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If I was going to get black wheels I would, With the black door handles that I just installed, and with all the other black accessories ; black spoiler, black trim, black mirrors, I am afraid to over do it. Wheels come last, I still need some interior parts, RB catback.
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#17
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If you do make sure to post the write up here. The S4's are really east to take apart. I would like to somehow replace the turn signal lense (yellow one) with a clear lense, yellow bulb. But that sort of thing is beyond me right now.
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Here's all I used paint wise. The Duplicolor Clear was the only thing even remotely pricey.
This is all I used. minus the non-scratch scotch-brite.(which I tossed already) The large cans are standard Gloss Black. It bonded with the plastic quite well. I was surprised actually. Ask me again in the fall and I'll let you know how they do after this summer. Water immediately beads, no absortion whatsoever.
Also, its common to lightly sand between coats, However I did not. Rather than having their texture flawlessly smooth, I negated the sanding in order to produce a slight visual texture. Almost reminisant of the texture below the body trim.
Last edited by DavidHolmesIII; 04-11-08 at 01:21 AM.
#25
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As far as the tails go Im done. Theres already enough black accessories (Black door handles,trim,spoiler, etc.); one more and It would be overdone. I will get new wheels at some point... but thats way down the road.
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