i remember threads on this but couldnt find any in my search. my s4 tails are all faded and crackly looking, shitty. i was wondering if anyone had restored theirs before and how they did it and what did they use. what kind of paint? did you use some sort of plastic polish first? sanding?

thanks!

 

Well, I did paint mine, but I did it when I painted all of the car. (image below).. Judging by the way plastic takes paint so well, I'd just use a regular, paint color matched, automotive grade, spray can paint (availible at all auto parts stores). Make sure you sand it (I used 320 grit wet), wash it off, prime it, and then spray and clearcoat it after two or three layers of your color. You should be alright with that

 

what exactly is wet sanding...is it just sanding on a wet surface?

 

wet sanding uses a special paper (not really but kindah ) thats really fine and the water keeps it from gumming up and u jus keep dipping it in the water also use polishing compound on ur lens part (by hand and not rubbing compound!!!!) it takes out all the fine scratches on the lense and they shine like there brand new lol (specially at night when u hit the brakes ahhh its so much better) and too paint the plastic part i jus cleaned them up wit some 1600 grit wet dry paper and used some gloss black spraypaint (3-5 coats) and they seem too be holdin up fine

 

get some s5 taillights =)

 

no thanks...id rather spend 10 bucks on paint then 250 on s5 tails

 

I painted my original S4s, looked great IMHO. I have a pic around somewhere I can post when I get home. after some body damage I'm running S5 tails now.

PaulC

 

thanks for the responses guys.

paul, what did you use to do it and how?

im poor and a n00b so i want to make sure i do it right the first time.

 

Sounds like a pretty good example of wet sanding up above just make sure the surface is wet, and sand it down a bit.
The trick is to sand it down lightly between each coat, it'll allow you to take off any runs (if any), and generally give you a nicer lay for each layer. Just remember to mask off the lens area with masking tape before you paint

Total costs for this project:
Wet Sand paper (some grit 320 or better): $4.50
Spray paint (color of your choice - 1 can): $4.50 (hey, get the good stuff!)
Spray Clear Coat - $3.00
(optional) Primer - $1.50

So, at most, this little project should run you about $13.50, USD. That's assuming you go all out and primer it, too, which is debateably unnessicary.

 

lol not that much of a n00b. thanks for the help!

 

use the polishing compound on ur sidemarkers and turnsignals too they will glow like new!!

 

also for a cheap look upgrade cut out the plastic cross members up front and get some screen/mesh type material from home depot and put it in updates the look a little bit (cut areas have too be painted or gone over wit a marker so they dont show) jus use some zip ties and small screws too hold it in jus do it well cause if u dont it will jus look rice (shudder)

 

i think itll look ricey anyways...

 

Although the angle makes it look like it does not match well, (it really does match perfect in person) here are my painted lights:


simply a little sanding, a little primer, and spray on touch up paint from the local auto parts store.

And you do not want to use any plastic polish before painting. Polishs typically have oils and emulents in them that makes painting a smooth clean surface very difficult.

 

ok i just fnished the wet sanding. im thinking i got the wrong paint though. i got gloss black duplicolor "classic laquer", and dupicolor "sandable primer". i sprayed a bit of the black laquer stuff on something else and it looked all watery and transparent instead of a solid coat. is this because its a laquer? i think im gonna take em back to pep boys though i dont feel like going all the way over there again. help?

 

please i need help quick

 

I have a set of nice S4 lights if you want them real cheap. Just make me a reasonable offer.

 

anyways i drove my dads car back to pep boys to get different paint. and i locked the ******* keys in the car. ****. i called everyone in my phone and they either didnt pick up, or were at the shore, except for my friend jackie who came and got me. and to top it off, as we were leaving the lot, she says hey isnt that jaimes (my friend) car? no it cant be....**** it is! she was there the whole time.

this paint better work damn good!!

 

classic laquer works on the idea of mutiple coats. you would probably need about 5-8 light coats to acheve the correct look.

The advantage to all those coats is that the paint will seem very very deep when you rub it out a month or two after painting.

 

thanks for all your help guys. im done painting them and they look a TON better than before. i saw color matched spray paint at the store when i was there and it got me thinking. the paint on just my back bumper is like flaking off everywhere. would this spray stuff look decent instead of paying to get a pro paint job?

 

It tends to fade easily but that is what I have used for lights, mirrors and trim.

If you paint with that color match stuff, you just need to keep it waxed, as once it fades it will look like crap.

 

Icemark-you have a pic of the rear of your car a little further back, like 15 feet or so?