write ups/how to on smoked tail lights/side markers
write ups/how to on smoked tail lights/side markers
my FC is waiting on some parts so its currently down for the count... im hoping to get some body work. painting, BBS vert rims mounted, and a few other things done this winter so when it gets warm here in kansas again it will be all ready. two things that i havent gotten down to yet that im wanting to do are black out the tail lights and make some clear side markers (from hyperteks way) and eventually put a couple coats over them... everywhere i have reaserched on the internet web thing ive found countless ways to do it... just wanting to see people who have actually done it to their 7s on here with pics and how you did it... thanks for the help guys
Got some spray tint from speed shop. I think i did 4 light coats, then cleared and wet sanded. Then polish. As you can see, theres stll polish in the cracks. I also tinted the side markers too, but i did them dark..real dark.
I didnt do the tails too dark, cops are A-holes around here

heres the stuff i used.
I didnt do the tails too dark, cops are A-holes around here

heres the stuff i used.
I use 3M gold scotchbrite pads and 3M Scuff-It liquid, I do this wet.
I then mix light solids black Imron tint and clear Imron, depending on how much tint you add will determine how dark they will come out. I spray this out of one of my spray guns.
When its dry you will have shiny finish lights and the finish will not be streaky or blotchy, it also just might outlast the rest of the car.
shows 2 sets of lights, one darker then the other

shows a S4 light, on these you can also restore the black plastic part that always cracks, I sand the plastic with 180grit, spray Awlgrip 545 eqoxy primer, when its cured sand that flat, then spray the black housings, then unmask and spray the lenses as described above.

S4/S5 side by side

old *** picture showing my 2 verts, one with tinted shaded/restored S4 lights, one with stock. I think this picture is from 2003.

I did these REAL dark when I painted the whole car

side markers done in the same fashion

these are what I have on my vert now, but I think I am going to put coupe lights. I already figured out a way to run a emergency trunk release should my regular trunk release fails. I have a few extra sets of coupe lights so I figure why not make something different.
I also have my side markers tinted, but I did those a million years ago by first polishing the faces, then spraying the backsides with the VHT Nite shades.
I did my 3rd brake light in the same method as the tails, I would also now do the side markers the same as well.

I then mix light solids black Imron tint and clear Imron, depending on how much tint you add will determine how dark they will come out. I spray this out of one of my spray guns.
When its dry you will have shiny finish lights and the finish will not be streaky or blotchy, it also just might outlast the rest of the car.
shows 2 sets of lights, one darker then the other

shows a S4 light, on these you can also restore the black plastic part that always cracks, I sand the plastic with 180grit, spray Awlgrip 545 eqoxy primer, when its cured sand that flat, then spray the black housings, then unmask and spray the lenses as described above.

S4/S5 side by side

old *** picture showing my 2 verts, one with tinted shaded/restored S4 lights, one with stock. I think this picture is from 2003.

I did these REAL dark when I painted the whole car

side markers done in the same fashion

these are what I have on my vert now, but I think I am going to put coupe lights. I already figured out a way to run a emergency trunk release should my regular trunk release fails. I have a few extra sets of coupe lights so I figure why not make something different.
I also have my side markers tinted, but I did those a million years ago by first polishing the faces, then spraying the backsides with the VHT Nite shades.
I did my 3rd brake light in the same method as the tails, I would also now do the side markers the same as well.

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Rob, Nice work, nice shop.
thanks- actually in the first picture I posted the top lights, which are convertible lights I masked the circles off, sprayed around them black, then unmasked and tinted/cleared
everything
by the way the pics with the yellow car are not in my shop, the rest are at my shop.
This is a little more of the shop, not that anyone cares about that
anyhow these also show a difference between the s4 and the s5


everything
by the way the pics with the yellow car are not in my shop, the rest are at my shop.
This is a little more of the shop, not that anyone cares about that
anyhow these also show a difference between the s4 and the s5


Last edited by Rob XX 7; Sep 18, 2008 at 08:40 AM.
How to get it:
1) Put on pants
2) Go to store to get tint
3) ???
4) Profit!
How to use it:
1) Put on pants
2) Spray tail lights
3) ???
4) Profit!
Lesson: Every task starts with putting on your pants...
Riz.
1) Put on pants
2) Go to store to get tint
3) ???
4) Profit!
How to use it:
1) Put on pants
2) Spray tail lights
3) ???
4) Profit!
Lesson: Every task starts with putting on your pants...
Riz.
you can actually sand it off, I did a set for a buddy's viper pick up and the dealer busted his chops when he traded it in so I brought them back pretty close to stock
Is this like Dutch humour? I'm not feeling it, But maybe I have a case of the "wooden shoes, wooden head" syndrome.By all means,carry on good sir.
Riz.
when mine were done from the previous owner, I hated them. I just got some sand paper ( I think 400 grain and 1000 grain) and then after that i buffed them out and they looked new






