how to blackout taillights??

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Apr 3, 2008 | 09:22 AM
  #1  
can anyone give me step by step instructions on blacking out my tail lights maybe even photos??
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Apr 3, 2008 | 09:28 AM
  #2  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
You can go on ebay and buy these


or you can go the route like so many other on here and paint them.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 09:31 AM
  #3  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
how much are they
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Apr 3, 2008 | 10:05 AM
  #4  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
BTW you have one of the cleanest camaros ive ever seen so sick!
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Apr 3, 2008 | 10:11 AM
  #5  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
If you have some sand paper, preferrably higher than 500 grit wet, then sand down your tails slightly, then hit them again with about 1000 grit to 1200 grit wet, clean them off, and then find a can of "Nightshades" spraypaint made for taillights to "black" them out. Lay down a very light base coat, then add additional coats when the first one dried to desired level of tint. Or buy GTS taillight covers lol. I've done both, matters what your doing with the project I guess. If you prep the lights right, "Nightshades" looks about 10-15% more custom and def. better than GTS. IMHO.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 10:28 AM
  #6  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
hmmm i kinda wanna do the covers just so i can pass inspection....or will it not matter?
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Apr 3, 2008 | 10:34 AM
  #7  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
As long as you don't put too many coats of nightshades on there your lights will shine right through any you wont have a problem, which is what you want anyways so people can see your brake lights lol. I mean my inspection guy told me they look good, and told me they have a good show through and I put down 3 coats of the nightshades. It gives off an erie blackish red reflection too. I like it, by the way my emissions are in NY and they are I guess you would call it normal on a scale of hard to pass or easy to pass.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 10:41 AM
  #8  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
ok i guess im gonna try to spray em i hope it works and doesnt come out horrible thanks
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Apr 3, 2008 | 10:45 AM
  #9  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Just use the nightshades stuff I was talking about, and remember that prepping the lenses and cleaning them is paramount before you paint them, if you don't they will come out like crap and you will hate me lol.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 11:26 AM
  #10  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
i wouldnt hate you it would be my fault...lol
but ok ill try to do it slow and prep very carefully
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Apr 3, 2008 | 11:38 AM
  #11  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Good luck man.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 11:51 AM
  #12  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
thanks ill post photos when im done on my project thread
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Apr 3, 2008 | 12:15 PM
  #13  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Has anyone used Nightshades spraypaint for the front lights?
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Apr 3, 2008 | 12:22 PM
  #14  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
dunno it would prob loook sick tho
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Apr 3, 2008 | 12:23 PM
  #15  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
I did it on a Grand Am I had once, but I thought I was cool and took apart the light lense cover and sprayed the INSIDE housing black. Don't do that, looks cool during the day, but you'll be attaching some PIAA 3 inch dia. fogs on your car just so you can see at dusk lol.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 12:30 PM
  #16  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Might want to note nightshade is for "off road use only". If you go light enough and the local police are not too aggressive, you may get by.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 12:53 PM
  #17  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
It does say it on the can, so use at your own risk people.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 01:06 PM
  #18  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
well where i live richmond you can have like not cat or anything on your exhaust and stuff and your fine so as long as the brake lights shine through its fine
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Apr 3, 2008 | 01:13 PM
  #19  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Then you're good, I only got my ***** busted when cops really didn't like me lol.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 01:25 PM
  #20  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
yea i should be fine hopefully
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Apr 3, 2008 | 01:27 PM
  #21  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Just remember that if a cop pulls you over that you bought the car like that and you'll have it fixed lol.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 04:30 PM
  #22  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Quote: how much are they
They very in price, just have to watch for them. The nightshade looks good also. Post pics whichever route you go with and thanks for the compliment.
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Apr 3, 2008 | 05:25 PM
  #23  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
The cops don't like thoses at all... 1fastZ Thats one nice Camaro!!
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Apr 3, 2008 | 07:30 PM
  #24  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
ha
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well 1fastz if you wanna see wht they look like when there done then just subscribe to my project page
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Apr 4, 2008 | 07:57 AM
  #25  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Quote: The cops don't like thoses at all... 1fastZ Thats one nice Camaro!!
Thanks Man
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Quote: ha
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well 1fastz if you wanna see wht they look like when there done then just subscribe to my project page
Already done my friend
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Apr 4, 2008 | 08:31 AM
  #26  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
ha sounds good
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Aug 7, 2008 | 02:03 PM
  #27  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Does anyone have a base firebird or formula with smoked taillights? Just curious how it looks
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Aug 7, 2008 | 02:19 PM
  #28  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
There was a write-up about this. A high schooler actually did it the right way by mixing black paint with clear coat and spraying the taillights to desired tint. Came out really nice.

If your going with Night shades, from what i've seen it isn't that shiney...looks somewhat dull. You can also spray some clear coat over the night shades to help. Then buff it.
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Aug 7, 2008 | 03:05 PM
  #29  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Quote: Has anyone used Nightshades spraypaint for the front lights?
i did and it looked very nice. i actually tinted the headlights too. and that didnt look very good but the parking lights and sidemarkers look good tinted. i did the tails too. heres some pictures.

here is the tail lights



fronts they looked really good but i think it looks better with just new lights.

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Aug 7, 2008 | 03:09 PM
  #30  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Quote: There was a write-up about this. A high schooler actually did it the right way by mixing black paint with clear coat and spraying the taillights to desired tint. Came out really nice.
do you have the link or the mix ratio?
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Aug 7, 2008 | 04:30 PM
  #31  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
It was in a magazine...but someone posted the link somewhere. I'd try searching but, don't have time right now, maybe later.
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Sep 16, 2008 | 01:27 PM
  #32  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Wow Maroon I think that car looks beautiful, those lights look really nice tinted like that!

I like 1FastZ's too, nicest white camaro I've seen.
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Sep 16, 2008 | 01:41 PM
  #33  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
My wife put GTA covers on her Camaro....I did Nightshades on my Tahoe..on a Saturday. She got pulled over Tuesday, I got pulled over Wednesday........By the SAME ***** cop!

She pulled hers off & didn't get a ticket. I promised to strip my lights & got no ticket either. The cop did check a few days later, just to make sure I did it.

The Nightshades looked way better. I left mine only slightly tinted (granted, I did them pretty dark on my black Tahoe) & he was happy.
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Sep 16, 2008 | 04:29 PM
  #34  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
black outs are like that blue neon stuff, they only enforce it in some places.
Like blue lights of any kind on the outside is illegal cept on a cop car.

I could be forced to install a 3rd brake light back on mine.
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Sep 16, 2008 | 04:35 PM
  #35  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Aren't trans am taillights "blacked" out from the factory? How do we get around that?
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Sep 17, 2008 | 02:24 PM
  #36  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Quote: black outs are like that blue neon stuff, they only enforce it in some places.
Like blue lights of any kind on the outside is illegal cept on a cop car.

I could be forced to install a 3rd brake light back on mine.
And there a way to fight neon tickets....

If the bulb/tube isn't visible itself, only the glow of it reflecting off surfaces, "technically"...your legal. Per the letter of the law, the light ITSELF can't be visible legally....But they left the REFLECTION (like off the street) wide open....

Judges don't like it, but per the letter...You win, not them. At least around here.
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Sep 17, 2008 | 02:45 PM
  #37  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Thats the rule with all neon around here, you can't see the bulb but it was them neon license plate frames, and washer squirters that done em in......
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Sep 17, 2008 | 03:39 PM
  #38  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
DO NOT use Nightshades spray paint on your rear tail lamps. DO NOT spray over top, or mix, clear coat on top or with Nightshades spray paint.

Sure, you can tint your lenses that way and they'll look "cool" for 3 years or so UNTIL they start to fade and cloud. ESPECIALLY if you've used clearcoat overtop them. The clearcoat will dry, crack, and become cloudy. Your taillights will eventually look like sh*t!

AND, you will need to have them professionally buffed out (or use ALOT of elbow grease), and still, they won't be 100%.

I'm talking from experience. I will never use nightshades again. If anything, go for the GTO blackout covers (like the ones above). I think they look better and are easily removeable, and don't mess up your lights.
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Sep 17, 2008 | 04:14 PM
  #39  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Well you very wrong about the clear coat.

I dunno about VHT but I sanded mine then clear coated them with 99cent Walmart clear and they look as good today as when I did them 5 yrs ago.

Car site outside, uncovered yr round.

before




after




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Sep 17, 2008 | 10:32 PM
  #40  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
what u talkin bout willis...to much crack in your cereal...this is my home made nightshade...clear with black in it and two coats of clear over it...not even buffed out just sprayed....over a year now...you jus have to prep them nice...thats all...

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Sep 18, 2008 | 05:59 AM
  #41  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Quote: Sure, you can tint your lenses that way and they'll look "cool" for 3 years or so UNTIL they start to fade and cloud. ESPECIALLY if you've used clearcoat overtop them. The clearcoat will dry, crack, and become cloudy. Your taillights will eventually look like sh*t!

I don't know about that, it seems if you use a professional grade clear and prep the lights like you would any auto body panel it would hold up for the life of the car.

If what your saying is true all our cars with a 2-stage paint will be cracked and cloudy after 3 years.........I think it's all in the prep
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Sep 18, 2008 | 09:17 AM
  #42  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Quote: Wow Maroon I think that car looks beautiful, those lights look really nice tinted like that!

I like 1FastZ's too, nicest white camaro I've seen.
Thanks Man
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Sep 18, 2008 | 01:17 PM
  #43  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
I SAID if you use clearcoat on top of VHT nightshade, the clearcoat will EVENTUALLY fade, cloud, and crack. And it won't happen over 1 year. And it has NOTHING to do with the prep.

So all you guys can spray all that sh*t all over your tailights. Remember me when I say it'll be a pain in the **** to remove the stuff when 3 or 4 years later they end up looking like sh*t!
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Sep 18, 2008 | 01:41 PM
  #44  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
get a pint of black basecoat from your local paint store tell you need a quart clear set up, over reduce the black, on the mixing cup they give you from the store if you put one part of black you would need to put close 2 six parts of reducer spray this until you get to the desired darkness wait 5 minuts between each coat of black after their dark enough mix you clear to the specs shoot two to three coats I blacked all mine except the headlights and sprayed the car hot rod flat black ill post some pics if yall let me know how to.
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Sep 18, 2008 | 01:59 PM
  #45  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
Only way you would be right is if you miss matched types of paint.

Walmart stuff cheap but its good lacquer enamel paint/clear

VHT is probably similar, if you used a hi tech clear you find today......

Results will vary when you mis-match types of paint.
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Sep 18, 2008 | 06:24 PM
  #46  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
i dunno about the night shade i wouldve loved to go that route but one day my car was parked to close to the fire place in the garage and my passenger side tail light got deformed so i got a set of these and i think its looks pretty damn good

god i cant wait to paint this
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May 30, 2009 | 08:36 PM
  #47  
Re: how to blackout taillights??
here's my black outs i left the back up lights unpainted so it looks stock and i get no s**t from the cops

http://s712.photobucket.com/albums/w...9091700121.jpg
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