I'm not an expert on this, so here is my n00b question, how do I do this??



Good idea!!!

Thanks!!!

 

^^ Definitely not a noob question, not too many people do this. Took me awhile to find out how to do it right.
Once you've put a good coat of the VHT on, if it's really bumpy, go at it with a wetsand for a bit. If not, then just move on to the clear (be sure to wait at least 12, but ideally 24hrs before doing anything after a coat. The longer you wait between steps, the better final look it will probably have.) Once the clear is on, then wetsand and polish.
Wetsanding: take some 1500 or 2000 grit sandpaper (depending on how bumpy your final coat is) and a spray bottle with water (a tiny drop of soap if you want, but I never saw the need). Moisten your sandpaper and spray a mist of water over the clearcoat. Go over it all until it feels perfectly smooth to the touch, being sure to keep it all pretty damp. I don't think an excess of water hurts, so don't be afraid of it. If there's still significant bumps, go at it with a lower grit sandpaper. If you go below 1500, then finish off with a second wetsand using around 2000 grit. Be aware that you are taking a hint of the clearcoat off, so be sure to get a good enough coat on to begin with, and don't spend too long with a <1500 grit paper. Wash it clean. You will now have a perfectly smooth (to the touch) finish, but no shine. Now do a quick rub down with a polishing compound (turtle, the green can). Then go use the 3M rubbing compound (says rubbing compound, but is designed to take out 1500 grit sandpaper scratches. Get it at autozone, like $7). It is the key to popping the shine on it! Do a good rub with that, 2 if you really want it shiny. Then if you want, use some Meguiars ScratchX (carefully, don't put too much on, and don't let it sit too long, it can leave marks). Finish off with a good coat of a wax, ideally a paste wax, and ideally the NXT Generation Tech Wax from Meguiars, It's great stuff and goes a long way.
Here's the 3M rubbing compound:


As for taking the lens off, it's a little touchy. It's not the same glue as your headlights, more like your corner lights, so it may be pretty easy to break the lenses... I'd just recommend doing it on the outside, you can get a really nice shine to pop out of there, and it should last quite awhile.

 

i will add on a question...

the ebay seller says that if you put it on it will still be able to see the lights when turn on, is that true?

also it says i can this to the headlights...im getting HIDS in the mail from Jay-M...will it affect the brightness?

cuz imo it will not look right if you do the tails and not the headlights or corners

 

Dude thanks for that detailed description. Now I just have to find some time to do it.

Thanks.

 

^^ Glad it helped, holler if you have any other questions!



Yes, depending on how much you put on, you can certainly see it. Even 3 coats and you still probably can. It doesn't reflect ambient light nearly as much, but when the lights inside it turn on, it's just about as bright as stock. And it sorta turns it from fire-engine red to more of a cherry red. Real nice look.
If you do your headlights, be sure to do your corners, markers and fogs. Only do it if you're going to do them all, otherwise it looks bad. I've never liked the look of tinted headlights, and it looks perfectly fine if you just have your tails done without the headlights. HIDs will defintiely help the brightness, but again, even with 2 coats of VHT, it will be just a touch darker than stock.

 

yeah if i would do this to the headlights i would do the markers and corners, more then likely do this to tails...

i think i would only add 2 coats...i dont think i would want it that dark

 

DO NOT DO YOUR HEADLIGHTS

you will notice a difference in brightness, and they will start to chip quickly. i did this to my old headlights and they started to chip after the first day or two of driving.

they looked pretty cool. but i think it looked almost as cool with black headlight housings, still had the tinted look since the entire housings were black.

the corners would look good tinted.. i had mine done, didnt look all that great cuz i didnt wetsand or clearcoat them..

ill try to find pics of the headlight comparison later. its on my laptop.





heres a look at how the blakc housings make the lens look 'tinted' a bit, but doesn't mess with the light output and wont have a chance to chip off.

 

Where did you get those housings?

I've searched a bit and couldn't find those headlight housings!

 

you take apart the stock lights and paint the housings.

 

I just bought the tail lenses and put them on these:

I painted the chrome part black and now it looks like this:

What you think? any better?