How are headlights and taillights blackened?

naveen.raju · 26th April 2010, 10:48

My friend got his tail lights smoked using sunfilm. Extra care should be taken while using sun films. Make sure that the edges are smooth without any curls. Best way of doing so is by using heat gun. End result was excellent which had a gloss effect.

the_maassk · 26th April 2010, 14:23

I got my car's tail-lights smoked by using black spray paint from outside!

First the surface needs to be cleaned well. Then a 1:3 mixture of black paint and thinner is sprayed evenly on it. This is left to dry for a couple of hours and then a second coat is sprayed. You can control how dark the tails look by controlling the number of coats. After final drying, a clear coat is sprayed on top. This is then left to dry for 12-18 hours. The surface is then cleaned and polished.

The result is what you see below. The brightness is very mildly hindered. I initially though it would look horrible on a black car - but I was in for a surprise! I've had this for around 6 months now.

punterccrx8s · 27th April 2010, 06:26

^^ What spray paint did you buy?How much did it cost?

the_maassk · 27th April 2010, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by punterccrx8s

^^ What spray paint did you buy?How much did it cost?

Went to my friendly neighborhood garage. They have a paint shop. Cost me a total of Rs.600 including everything.

Vik0728 · 27th April 2010, 09:57

hey @the maassk, you have virtually transformed the look & appearance of the UVA buddy. Looks pretty neat.

Have you thought about smoking the headlights as well ??
Also, how is the performance post the headers and filters??

the_maassk · 27th April 2010, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vik0728

hey @the maassk, you have virtually transformed the look & appearance of the UVA buddy. Looks pretty neat.

Have you thought about smoking the headlights as well ??
Also, how is the performance post the headers and filters??

Thanks! I'm still to do a proper photo session for my ride

.

About smoking the headlights - the proper way involves separating the lenses by heating and a lot of other headaches. I'm still to find a reliable guy who can help me through the process. Might do it soon. On the other hand, I've found replacement smoked headlamps for the car at a few shops in UK. I might just get them over on my next trip!

Performance post the headers and filter - rocking

. I'm not running the K&N any more (yet to take off the decal from the back of the car). I'm on GC Wind with my own custom piping for cold air.

punterccrx8s · 4th May 2010, 21:06

Got my light blackened out for 500 Rs.Paint not sun film.

How are headlights and taillights blackened?-p5044413.jpg

How are headlights and taillights blackened?-p5044414.jpg

Stunn-R · 5th May 2010, 10:32

Spray can and clear coat over

GTO · 5th May 2010, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_maassk

I got my car's tail-lights smoked by using black spray paint from outside!

Quote:

Originally Posted by punterccrx8s

Got my light blackened out for 500 Rs.Paint not sun film.

The two of you have made regular hatchbacks look mouth-wateringly delicious!

I'm very tempted. Only concern : The brakelights dimming substantially. Can you post some pictures taken at night with the brake lights on, and no flash?

punterccrx8s · 5th May 2010, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

The two of you have made regular hatchbacks look mouth-wateringly delicious!

I'm very tempted. Only concern : The brakelights dimming substantially. Can you post some pictures taken at night with the brake lights on, and no flash?

Absolutely no problem in the morning only GTO sir,no question about night.It's pretty clear,the brake light.Only the indicators little dim.

rjstyles69 · 5th May 2010, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by punterccrx8s

Got my light blackened out for 500 Rs.Paint not sun film.

Attachment 342864

Attachment 342865

punter please get that number plate fixed properly, doesn't compliment the work done on the tail lamps.

punterccrx8s · 6th May 2010, 05:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

punter please get that number plate fixed properly, doesn't compliment the work done on the tail lamps.

I didn't get you.Do you mean get it fixed at a different place or get it fixed properly only?

harishnayak · 6th May 2010, 07:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by punterccrx8s

I didn't get you.Do you mean get it fixed at a different place or get it fixed properly only?

I think he meant that it should be fixed at it's original place.

RJ - I hope i got you right?

the_maassk · 6th May 2010, 09:32

Saw GTO's pic request this morning otherwise would have taken some pics last night itself! No sweat though - will get some pics out today late evening

rjstyles69 · 6th May 2010, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by punterccrx8s

I didn't get you.Do you mean get it fixed at a different place or get it fixed properly only?

I am talking of the marked locations, see the gap coz of the rubber beading. The plate looks tapered too. The angle of the pic couldn't be the culprit though.

How are headlights and taillights blackened?-getz.jpg

I would go by harish's thought considering the fact that plate doesn't sit flat on the bumper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harishnayak

I think he meant that it should be fixed at it's original place.

26th April 2010, 10:48	#226
naveen.raju Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cochin Posts: 4,834 Thanked: 8,921 Times View My Garage	My friend got his tail lights smoked using sunfilm. Extra care should be taken while using sun films. Make sure that the edges are smooth without any curls. Best way of doing so is by using heat gun. End result was excellent which had a gloss effect.
	() Thanks

26th April 2010, 14:23	#227
the_maassk BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vadodara/ NG7 2QP Posts: 205 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	I got my car's tail-lights smoked by using black spray paint from outside! First the surface needs to be cleaned well. Then a 1:3 mixture of black paint and thinner is sprayed evenly on it. This is left to dry for a couple of hours and then a second coat is sprayed. You can control how dark the tails look by controlling the number of coats. After final drying, a clear coat is sprayed on top. This is then left to dry for 12-18 hours. The surface is then cleaned and polished. The result is what you see below. The brightness is very mildly hindered. I initially though it would look horrible on a black car - but I was in for a surprise! I've had this for around 6 months now. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

27th April 2010, 06:26	#228
punterccrx8s BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 760 Thanked: 170 Times	^^ What spray paint did you buy?How much did it cost?
	() Thanks

27th April 2010, 09:57	#230
Vik0728 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,061 Thanked: 3,281 Times View My Garage	hey @the maassk, you have virtually transformed the look & appearance of the UVA buddy. Looks pretty neat. Have you thought about smoking the headlights as well ?? Also, how is the performance post the headers and filters??
	() Thanks

4th May 2010, 21:06	#232
punterccrx8s BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 760 Thanked: 170 Times	Got my light blackened out for 500 Rs.Paint not sun film.
	() Thanks

5th May 2010, 10:32	#233
Stunn-R Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 15 Thanked: 12 Times	Spray can and clear coat over
	() Thanks

6th May 2010, 09:32	#239
the_maassk BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vadodara/ NG7 2QP Posts: 205 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Saw GTO's pic request this morning otherwise would have taken some pics last night itself! No sweat though - will get some pics out today late evening
	() Thanks