Cheapesy easiest mod ever
I bought rustoleum smoke tint 2000 grit sandpaper and a clear coat from autozone. I took the lenses and wet them. I did a lazy hand sanding of the parts i wanted to smoke. Im sure if i sanded more thoroughly it would be beneficial but I have experience in construction and I'm confident that the light sanding was sufficient enough for the smoke tint to adhere. I taped off the parts I didn't want to smoke. (The backup lights and plastic housing). I sprayed 3 light coats The natural tendency I spray heavier is there but after 3 truly light coats the final product will be perfect. I waited about 15 minutes between coats. After the 3rd coat I sat them in the sun for about an hour to dry them more. Again I you waited a day it's probably ideal but the clear coat can go on after about an hour. Again very light coats. As many as you want. The more coats the longer it'll hold up to weather and abuse. I got to about 4 or 5 before I just couldn't wait to see them on. I waited about 20 minutes after the last coat. From what I understand buffing them after 24 hours gives the clear coat an even plastic like look. Compound then wax. I don't have a buffing wheel so ill probably skip that ad just compound by hand eventually. As of now it looks amazing so I think Im most likely done. I'm happy I left the reverse lights clear. The contrast is nice. The brake lights are just as bright as before. It's technically illegal to tint brake lights here in NY but with the reverse clear it looks normal. I forgot the third light over the spare but you barely see it over the 35" tires. Incidentally before the clear coat I took off all the tint. I didn't want to risk the clear finish peeling by only clear coating the tinted parts. I took the tape off and clear coated the hole thing. Now the plastic housing looks like its been permanently armoralled. I used the gloss finish in the clear coat. Another heads up. The 2 inside screws closest to the spare are the only ones that hold them to the jeep. If you go for it good luck. Super easy and super cheap. Looks awesome. I'm glad I did it.
I bought rustoleum smoke tint 2000 grit sandpaper and a clear coat from autozone. I took the lenses and wet them. I did a lazy hand sanding of the parts i wanted to smoke. Im sure if i sanded more thoroughly it would be beneficial but I have experience in construction and I'm confident that the light sanding was sufficient enough for the smoke tint to adhere. I taped off the parts I didn't want to smoke. (The backup lights and plastic housing). I sprayed 3 light coats The natural tendency I spray heavier is there but after 3 truly light coats the final product will be perfect. I waited about 15 minutes between coats. After the 3rd coat I sat them in the sun for about an hour to dry them more. Again I you waited a day it's probably ideal but the clear coat can go on after about an hour. Again very light coats. As many as you want. The more coats the longer it'll hold up to weather and abuse. I got to about 4 or 5 before I just couldn't wait to see them on. I waited about 20 minutes after the last coat. From what I understand buffing them after 24 hours gives the clear coat an even plastic like look. Compound then wax. I don't have a buffing wheel so ill probably skip that ad just compound by hand eventually. As of now it looks amazing so I think Im most likely done. I'm happy I left the reverse lights clear. The contrast is nice. The brake lights are just as bright as before. It's technically illegal to tint brake lights here in NY but with the reverse clear it looks normal. I forgot the third light over the spare but you barely see it over the 35" tires. Incidentally before the clear coat I took off all the tint. I didn't want to risk the clear finish peeling by only clear coating the tinted parts. I took the tape off and clear coated the hole thing. Now the plastic housing looks like its been permanently armoralled. I used the gloss finish in the clear coat. Another heads up. The 2 inside screws closest to the spare are the only ones that hold them to the jeep. If you go for it good luck. Super easy and super cheap. Looks awesome. I'm glad I did it.
[QUOTE="MojaveJK;3658358"] You didn't even need to sand, idk about that product but the vht, will stick right to it. No sanding needed, talking from experience with a lot of different taillights being tinted[/QUOTE
The sanding helps the tint adhere for long term. And if you didn't clear coat your lights, have fun doing them again in a couple months
The sanding helps the tint adhere for long term. And if you didn't clear coat your lights, have fun doing them again in a couple months
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I've had my tails tinted on a car that's been done for over a year, nothing's happend, no clear coat and there fine, it's still driving around with the same ones, nothing wrong at all with them, no sanding either
I'm sure they'll hold up fine at worse case a touch up in the future. The sanding allows a better bond against eventually peeling and scratching. I'm sure it's fine without it but like I said it was effortless and the clearcoating how's it better protection and a more finished look. All in all its easy and I'm sure fine either way. The clearcoat leaves a sheen that looks armoralled. One less step for when I wash it.
I'm sure they'll hold up fine at worse case a touch up in the future. The sanding allows a better bond against eventually peeling and scratching. I'm sure it's fine without it but like I said it was effortless and the clearcoating how's it better protection and a more finished look. All in all its easy and I'm sure fine either way. The clearcoat leaves a sheen that looks armoralled. One less step for when I wash it.


