http://www.pocketmatrix.com/rob/bons-rx7/DCP_0682.jpg

see on the corner of the tailights where its faded, can I repaint that housing so it matches the black paint of the car? (Like it used to)

 

Yep, but you will need to sand off the factory clear coat first.

First remove the lights from the car.

Then I start with taping off the lights, and pulling out the rubber gasket. Then a quick swip of prep sol, (most auto paint supply houses, some auto part stores) that will remove all the old wax and crap stuck in the plastic.

Then sand it lightly with a 400 grit to get all the old clear coat off.

Followed by a 600 grit, to remove any small imperfections.

Then wet with a 1200 to remove any scratches of other imperfections.

Then paint away.

Finally re-install the rubber gasket (hot glue works great) and then re-install the light.

 

what kind of paint, have any pics to prove it works?

 

I used Plasti-cote import color for my mirrors and lights. Although the color didn't match well in this picture, once the paint got rubbed out and a little polish on it, it is a perfect match.

But the best way would be to go to a paint store or auto paint shop and get some exact color quality paint as I am sure that the Plasti-cote stuff is not nearly as durable as a real enamel.

 

i dont think im liking that color match in the picture

 

yeah I need to take a new picture and show how much better it matchs after being rubbed out.

I did that picture the day that I painted, so the paint really isn't even set yet in that picture.

 

what exactly does rubbed out mean

 

after you paint something, you need to wait until the paint fully drys. Then (usually at least a week, sometimes up to a month) you get a fine rubbing compound and rub down the paint to a nice shine. Now if you are a real crappy painter then you'll wet sand any runs or other problems at that time as well, before rubbing out the paint.

 

wetsand ???

 

Wetsanding is where you use a very fine sand paper (like a 1200 grit) with a little water to help from clogging the sand paper.

 

i just painted my housins. I primed them (over the clear coat) i guess i should have sanded it off first. Oh well, i'll do it the right way this weekend. and then i used automotive paint and then clearcoated them. They look pretty good!