tinted tailights and painted engine cover.

W/T_Deluxe · May 22, 2012

So after "finishing" the truck up a couple months ago I found myself getting bored and looking for more things to do. I would really like to get into getting more of the mechanical stuff done, but for right now budget isnt going to allow that. So I decided I'd work on doing some cosmetic things to hold improve the look.

Started off with the engine cover. Should've put more work into this honestly, but it was sorta a spur of the moment deal. I really should've used some sort of primer, painted, cleared, wet sanded etc etc...but I just hit it with some Krylon Fusion Gloss Red. It didnt come out too bad really, also touched up the Vortech emblem with some black.

Next thing was the tinting the tailights. I used VHT night shades which cost me about $12 bucks.

Started out by taping off my reverse lights since I did not want them tinted(I kinda like seeing when I'm back up...dont you?). They were a little tougher than I thought since the corners were rounded, but with a little paitents and a razor I followed the lines...ok.

Next I wet sanded with 2000 grit sand paper and cleaned/preped them with naptha(I included the picture to give a good idea what you will see after wet sanding dont be alarmed you havnt ruined your lights...too much).

I decided to go with two coats of the night shades first shot is with one coat, second shot is the second coat.

After that had dried for some time I applied three coats of clear. I let that sit over night before wet sanding and polishing. When I did I hit it with 1500 first then 2000, and on to polishing compound/wax. The came out just about like glass, although I wish I had a power buffer, would make the polishing step a lot easier. Anyway thanks for looking and letting me bore you with my mindless car stuff dribble haha.

W/T_Deluxe · May 22, 2012

realized I didnt incude a pitcure of the finished product for either of them, sorry

The tailights look almost black from the right angles but when the sun is on them they look almost blood red. Also the tailights and brake lights etc are still very visible in all light.

mossbum · May 22, 2012

the taillights look awesome man!

blackout07 · May 22, 2012

Looks great.

W/T_Deluxe · May 22, 2012

Thanks guys!

BlackZ71Silverado · May 22, 2012

Engine cover looks good but those darkened tail lights are dangerous. Hope nobody slams into the back of you because they coul not see you applied the brakes. How are you goong to get it inspected like that?????

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W/T_Deluxe · May 22, 2012

Trust me when I say that the light comming out of the tailights is more than visible, in full sunlight, or complete darkness. Thats why I only went with the two coats, i've seen three and it is way to dark. as far as inspections go, where I live we have emissions testing, but not safety inspections so I should be fine there, if not i'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now im going to enjoy it

BlackZ71Silverado · May 23, 2012

No safety inspection? Where I live it's opposite, no emissions.

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W/T_Deluxe · May 23, 2012

Nope, funny part about it is, one county south or one county east and its the other way around. I wish we didnt have emissions, would make my life as a gear head so much easier!

Brian66D · May 23, 2012

we don't have safety inspections.....or emissions tests.

Farmville, USA. aka central illinois.

OP- nice tails, I was wanting to do the same thing myself, also to the third brake light on the cab....the silverado tails will be a little more difficult IMO because the clear is much smaller and awkward.

oh well, looks like next weekends project!