Toyota MR2 Message Board - View Single Post - How to: De-Amber your tail lights!

Mark_Dorman · 01-10-2009, 03:45 AM

So I know a lot of us aren't super fond of the beloved amber (yellow) lenses on our tail lights...or anywhere else for that matter. I personally like the look of all red tail lights. A few members on the board have done this as well but I figured I'd do a little write up on my project (second time doing it actually) this time.

Things you'll need:
1) A screw driver
2) 400, 1000, and 2000 grit Sand Paper
3) Rubbing Compound
4) Testers Transparent All Purpose Spray Enamel - 1605 Candy Apple Red (or similar)
5) General Automotive Clear Coat (Krylon or Dupli-color will work fine)
6) Blue Painter Masking Tape (Don't use the green stuff...trust me)
7) Razor Blades
8) News Paper
9) A little bit of patience

To start you need to pull off your tail lights...
Very simple:
Pull off corner triangle pieces...unscrew
Pop Trunk/Boot...unscrew
Remove Tail lights.

Once you have your tail lights off do some light wet sanding with 400 grit sand paper to remove some of the oxidation and create a good bonding surface for the paint.

Once completed, begin taping up your lights. I chose to tape over the reflector as well as the reverse light (applies to 91-93 lights).

Now that you have your lights all taped up it's time to setup for paint station. Mine is ghetto but it works...

After that...take your paint...

Make sure the lenses are clean and oil free. I like to use compressed air to make sure there's no loose dust on them.
Now spray away...

Once your tail lights are dry inspect your paint job and make sure you got full coverage and have a nice smooth finish. It doesn't have to be perfect since you will be clear coating them but it shouldn't be splotchy and rough...

Make sure to let them dry before putting on your clear coat. I would bring them inside so you don't get too much dust stuck to them.

Depending on the paint you use...you should wait at least 3 hours before clear coating them.

Tic-Tock Tic-Tock...

Time for clear coat!

When preparing for the clear coat application remove the tape from the reflector and reverse light as well as the tinted lower part (see below).

Now it's important to read the back of your clear coat can. The Dupli-Color clear coat isn't suppose to be use over enamel paints so you have to spray it on carefully. If you do too think of a coat the red paint will run (see examples below)...

Correct:

Incorrect:

Make sure you to apply sufficient layers of clear coat so you can sand and polish to a mirror like finish. Once the clear coat is applied allow 48 hours for it to dry before sanding and polishing...

First wet sand with 1000 grit sand paper...then with 2000 grit to get the clear coat to smooth out. If you're going to recoat (which would be a good idea) now is the time. If you recoat sand again with the 1000 then 2000.

Now that you're finished wet sanding you'll bust out the rubbing compound. By far the worst part. Honestly...I'm going to take my 94+'s to a paint shop and have them clear coat them. Probably will come out a little better

...

Here's the right side after polishing...

I'll post some this weekend of the tail lights on the car

P.S. They look a lot better in person. Nice and glossy!

So here's a picture of them on the red car. I'll see if I can put them on the white car for some comparison pictures...

The tail lights are on but I have a bulb out

Here's a picture of the red tail lights on my white car...

01-10-2009, 03:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mark_Dorman And the V6 swap continues Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 4,134 Thanks: 75 Thanked 72 Times in 68 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (19/100% )	How to: De-Amber your tail lights! So I know a lot of us aren't super fond of the beloved amber (yellow) lenses on our tail lights...or anywhere else for that matter. I personally like the look of all red tail lights. A few members on the board have done this as well but I figured I'd do a little write up on my project (second time doing it actually) this time. Things you'll need: 1) A screw driver 2) 400, 1000, and 2000 grit Sand Paper 3) Rubbing Compound 4) Testers Transparent All Purpose Spray Enamel - 1605 Candy Apple Red (or similar) 5) General Automotive Clear Coat (Krylon or Dupli-color will work fine) 6) Blue Painter Masking Tape (Don't use the green stuff...trust me) 7) Razor Blades 8) News Paper 9) A little bit of patience To start you need to pull off your tail lights... Very simple: Pull off corner triangle pieces...unscrew Pop Trunk/Boot...unscrew Remove Tail lights. Once you have your tail lights off do some light wet sanding with 400 grit sand paper to remove some of the oxidation and create a good bonding surface for the paint. Once completed, begin taping up your lights. I chose to tape over the reflector as well as the reverse light (applies to 91-93 lights). Now that you have your lights all taped up it's time to setup for paint station. Mine is ghetto but it works... After that...take your paint... Make sure the lenses are clean and oil free. I like to use compressed air to make sure there's no loose dust on them. Now spray away... Once your tail lights are dry inspect your paint job and make sure you got full coverage and have a nice smooth finish. It doesn't have to be perfect since you will be clear coating them but it shouldn't be splotchy and rough... Make sure to let them dry before putting on your clear coat. I would bring them inside so you don't get too much dust stuck to them. Depending on the paint you use...you should wait at least 3 hours before clear coating them. Tic-Tock Tic-Tock... Time for clear coat! When preparing for the clear coat application remove the tape from the reflector and reverse light as well as the tinted lower part (see below). Now it's important to read the back of your clear coat can. The Dupli-Color clear coat isn't suppose to be use over enamel paints so you have to spray it on carefully. If you do too think of a coat the red paint will run (see examples below)... Correct: Incorrect: Make sure you to apply sufficient layers of clear coat so you can sand and polish to a mirror like finish. Once the clear coat is applied allow 48 hours for it to dry before sanding and polishing... First wet sand with 1000 grit sand paper...then with 2000 grit to get the clear coat to smooth out. If you're going to recoat (which would be a good idea) now is the time. If you recoat sand again with the 1000 then 2000. Now that you're finished wet sanding you'll bust out the rubbing compound. By far the worst part. Honestly...I'm going to take my 94+'s to a paint shop and have them clear coat them. Probably will come out a little better ... Here's the right side after polishing... I'll post some this weekend of the tail lights on the car P.S. They look a lot better in person. Nice and glossy! So here's a picture of them on the red car. I'll see if I can put them on the white car for some comparison pictures... The tail lights are on but I have a bulb out Here's a picture of the red tail lights on my white car... Last edited by Mark_Dorman; 02-05-2009 at 09:38 PM.