For many people, the car is much more than a means of transport, it is also a reflection of their personality. The dark taillights are increasing in popularity and are an easy and fun way to customize the car. This cosmetic modification can be done by a professional or you can do it yourself in your garage; all you need are a few simple instructions and some materials available in DIY stores.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use a Spray
Step 1. Remove all taillights
Before spraying them with spray paint, you must remove them from the car. To do this, open the trunk and pull the carpet cover back. There should be two bolts holding the back of each light. You have to remove them. Before you can remove the lights completely, you need to unscrew the bulbs. You can do this by pulling the pins that hold them together. It takes some strength. At this point, you can completely remove the lights.
Step 2. Sand the headlights
Before you spray them, you need to sand them for a smooth surface. Wet a piece of 800 grit sandpaper and rub it on the light until the surface is dull and scratched. You can also use dish soap if you want. Repeat the sanding process for the second headlight. When you're done, wipe them both with a lint-free cloth or paper towel and let them dry. Make sure you have sanded the surface completely and evenly.
- Then take a piece of 1000 grit sandpaper and repeat the process. When done, wipe the lights with a lint-free cloth and let dry.
- At the end, he uses 2000 grit sandpaper and sandpaper for the last time with decisive and uniform passages. Clean the lights and let them dry. They should now be smooth with a dull, sheer color.
- Clean the headlights with a degreasing cleaner, such as alcohol, gasoline, or glass cleaner, and then let them dry.
- A good tip when sanding is to soak the sandpaper in water, this makes the paper more flexible and easier to use.
Step 3. Put masking tape to protect the areas you don't want to paint
In most cases this is the reverse light, which must remain clear according to the laws of many countries. Regardless of the law, however, seeing the reversing light at night is very difficult if it is obscured, so you must cover it with tape before painting; put the adhesive tape correctly and help yourself with a cutter to define the areas.
An alternative, if you intend to paint the entire headlight, is to buy after market lights that you can connect to the tow hook. This way you will have extra lights if you need to reverse at night without ruining the aesthetic effect of your dark headlights (check if the Highway Code of your country allows this type of customization)
Step 4. Apply the spray paint
Once the lights are completely dry and you have masking tape in place (if necessary), place them on a stable work surface and start spraying. Shake the can vigorously and hold it about 18 cm from the headlights for best results. Spray a light, even coat of paint on both lights, making sure they have achieved the same shade of dark. Let the first coat dry for 20-30 minutes.
- When the first layer is dry, you can apply the second coat. Once done, let it dry for another 20-30 minutes. Then apply the third layer and wait until everything is completely dry. In most cases, three passes of spray paint are sufficient to achieve the desired color intensity.
- When you are satisfied with the shade, let the headlights dry completely in the sun for 45-60 minutes. This step is optional, but it gives you a more definite idea of what the finished headlights will look like.
- Remember to remove any pieces of tape that you used as protection before moving on to the next steps.
Step 5. Apply a clear protective layer
The process is very similar to what you used for dark paint. When the last layer of paint is completely dry and you have fixed the color with the sun, put the lights back on the workbench and spray them with a light layer of clearcoat. You can use one with a glossy finish if you like. At the end let it dry for 20 minutes before applying the second coat.
- While professionals claim 3-5 coats of clear varnish are sufficient, others claim 7 to 10 coats are required for best results. The clear coat in this way will best protect the underlying layers.
- Make sure to let each clear coat dry completely before applying the next. This is the time when many get impatient and try to spray multiple coats too quickly. This will ruin the job because if the clear coat is not completely dry it will begin to peel off with the new coat.
Step 6. Sand the headlights again
When they are completely dry (it will take a couple of hours) you have to repeat the sanding process. Make sure you wet the paper first and this time take gentle steps always following the same direction.
- Use 800 then 1000 and finally 2000 sandpaper.
- When done, the headlights should have a dull look.
Step 7. Apply abrasive paste
When the lights are evenly sanded, take some abrasive paste and place a generous amount on a swab or clean cloth. Rub it on the headlights. Then with a decisive circular motion and with a little elbow grease, make the abrasive paste penetrate well so as to fill in all the micro-scratches caused by grinding.
Step 8. Polish and apply the wax
Once finished with the abrasive paste, clean the headlights with a microfiber cloth and with the same technique apply a polish. Clean again with microfiber and then put on a wax of your choice.
Step 9. Refit the lights
When you are done with the wax, the lights are ready to return to the car. Remember to reconnect the bulbs before sliding the headlight block into place, fasten the nuts and put the carpet back in place. Now the only thing left is to take a step back and admire your work!
Method 2 of 2: Use Adhesive Film
Step 1. Choose the type of film
This is a great method because it lets the light that comes out of the headlights through but reduces the light that enters them. There are many different types of films that you can find both on the internet and in auto parts stores.
- Depending on the effect you want to achieve, you can choose a standard black color or something more extravagant such as yellow, red, gunmetal or a blue.
- You can also find pre-cut films for certain car models, so if you have a very popular car, try looking for them.
Step 2. Clean the surface of the lights
It is important, before applying the film, that the lights are extremely clean. Use a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth (which does not leave lint) to get rid of debris and water stains.
Step 3. Cut the film into rough pieces
Shrink them to the size of the headlight, it shouldn't be a difficult job. Use a cutter to do this with precision.
Step 4. Remove the liner from the protective sheet
After removing it, spray the adhesive face with a solution of soapy water (85%) and alcohol (15%). This will prevent the film from sticking before it is properly aligned with the light.
Step 5. Apply the film to the taillight
You have to pull it to make it adhere well and it is a bit of a complicated job because the headlight is very curved. Try to attach it as smoothly as possible using your hands to remove the creases.
- If you find yourself in trouble, spray some more of the solution on the outside of the film and use a heat gun or a hairdryer to help you pull it and make it more malleable.
- Just don't hold the heat source too close to the film and don't keep it on one spot for too long, as it could weaken or wrinkle it.
Step 6. Use a squeegee to remove all bubbles
Use a vinyl one and push excess water and air out of the film, working from the center towards the edges. You need to put some pressure on it to make sure the film is smooth and even.
- If you don't have a squeegee, you can improvise one with a credit card or squeegee wrapped in a microfiber cloth.
- You can continue to use the heat gun or the hairdryer to help you work.
Step 7. Cut off the excess film
When you are satisfied with the result, use a cutter to cut out the edges of the light leaving a little extra film along the perimeter. Be very careful when doing this, otherwise you may accidentally cut the film.
Step 8. Squeeze the edges inward
The final step is to use the hot gun and the squeegee (although a small spatula would be better in this case) to pull and insert the edges of the film inside the perimeter of the light, to hide them. When you are finished the film will be fixed in place.
Advice
- Using painter's tape, you can protect areas of the light to create a design or pattern.
- It is better to do this job in the garage or in a protected area rather than on the street or in the yard. Outdoors, the climate and the wind can bring debris and dirt, slowing down your work.
- For an ultra shiny effect you can finish the surface with 2000 grit wet sandpaper and then polish it with wax.
- If you feel that the clear coat you sprayed is uneven, take a piece of wet sandpaper, sand the light and start over with another coat of clear product.
- If you notice areas on the surface that seem pitted, spend some more time with the sandpaper and uniform.
Warnings
- In some states, obscuring lights beyond a certain level is illegal. Check your country's laws by asking the traffic police or researching the internet before making changes.
- Make sure the sandpaper is wet when you use it. Otherwise you could ruin the paint job you did previously.
- While it's not difficult to dim the taillights, the process takes some time, so wait when you have a whole day to devote to the project.
- Always wear a mask when using spray paint, you may be inhaling toxic gases.
