Integra Painted Taillights (Full Detail)

S

stilez

New member
LoL. Yeah that's right, just the taillights. Anyways, this post might look dumb, but I had to share with everyone because they went through quite a transformation.



So I purchased painted 94-97 2-dr tails from my friend Mark (RedTeg26 on Team-Integra.net) for a very nice deal. I got em and they look hot! They are painted with Krylon Candy Red Stained Glass Paint, then clearcoated with Duplicolor Clearcoat.







Right now, I will walk you through what I did to make them even prettier (can I use that word on this site?)...





Step 1: Clean em up with QD. Notice the rough, fisheyed surface that is all so common with DIY painting.

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Step 2: Level out the surface. I used Turtle Wax (only brand I had) Rubbing Compound to do so. It did a nice job, but you have to put some muscle into it. Notice the leveled surface but marring as well.

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Step 3: Get rid of the marring. I used Gliptone Swirl Free Polish with 3 different passes to remove the swirls and marring of the surface. 3 passes were neccessary because it is not a heavy duty paint cleaner and takes more effort when the surface is dulled like this case after compounding. Notice the clarity in the lense now.

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Step 4: Protect Protect Protect! I did 2 coats of Klasse AIO, then 1 coat of Klasse SG...waited 35 mins and polished it off with my MF towel. Look at those reflections. I'd say another 1-3 coats of SG and they will be on sometime later this week (yes I will post pics)

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I did all of this in my college dorm room. Now you don't have to laugh at me. I really did do a full detail on my tails...haha. Tell me what you think...





BTW: They are all red, even the reverse lights. Yes it is legal, I think. Not good enough lighting in my room otherwise I'd have more complete pics.



Cheers!
 
I just painted my tails about a week ago. . .I used hobby shop clear red brush on paint. . .haven't had the chance to buff the brush lines up. . .I was thinking of taking 1000 grit sandpaper and wet sanding then when the weather gets above 40 degrees (spingtime probably)



looks sharp . . .



david
 
looks good. I tinted mine but they need an extra coat. The cars going into storage some time this week so I've got all winter to do that. I'll have to try this out because they look just like your first pic .:up
 
I wouldn't expect it to be legal.



Not only do white reverse lights help you see where you're going, they also indicate your direction to other drivers around you. When they see those white lights, they know that you're doing something unusual, and know to give more space.
 
they look tinted too. . .what paint did you use?



I think they look bad ***. . .and maybe I'll do that in the springtime. . .



david
 
BarracksSi said:
I wouldn't expect it to be legal.



Not only do white reverse lights help you see where you're going, they also indicate your direction to other drivers around you. When they see those white lights, they know that you're doing something unusual, and know to give more space.
Click to expand...



Not to mention that I would bet that every state vehicle code requires that you have them. This is ok though, because if he gets a ticket or something then he can just put back in his stock ones and sell these to someone who doesn't know any better. :lol



That seriously looks sooooooooo good. I really like that alot. The contrast of the white reverse lights wouldn't have thrown it off at all I don't think. Either way, its a really smooth looking back end now. :bow :bow
 
Thanks Anthony...



Funny thing, I put those tails on at my gf's apartment, came back to college (8 mins away), grabbed a few things, and went back to her place. About halfway there I saw a cop so I slowed down, he tailgated me at 35 in a 30 and it was relatively foggy out so I didn't want to push it any faster.



Well he followed me veryyyy close for about 4-5 mins and DEFINATELY saw the no reverse lights. Didn't pull me over or anything, just drove by when I turned into her apartment.



Hopefully I will have more luck like this in the future...
 
I've had them tailgate me while I had expried plates before. Sometimes they just don't have the time to waste on something stupid like that. Get pulled over by an import hating cop and they'll circle your car looking for things to give you tickets for. I've had it happen more than once. It happens in Toronto all the time. I guess it just depends on where you live. I'm sure that if they are looking for things to get you on then they'll do it. I wouldn't worry too much though. Just tell him you bought it that way and didn't know they were supposed to be white. ;)
 
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