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12-16-2020, 09:58 AM | #1 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 264
| How to Paint Tail Lights?
So my Capo JK came with clear plastic tail light covers, what’s the best red paint to get a realistic look? I assume you shoot your coats on the back side like painting a lexan body? So far I’ve found these two products, the second one is for real tail lights which I’m wondering about. Never done this before so thanks again for the help. https://www.rpphobby.com/product_p/tam86037.htm https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...DKIKX0DER&th=1 |
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12-16-2020, 10:28 AM | #2 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Humboldt county
Posts: 4,482
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
So its not lexan? If so you need to use the Tamiya TS paint meant for hard plastics. https://www.rpphobby.com/product_p/tam85074.htm These translucent paints take some patience, it takes many, many thin coats to do a good job. Dont even think about rushing these, a thick coat will simply run and wont actually build up any thicker. They will start out looking pinkish with just a few coats so you need to do quite a few coats. I think I probably do 5-10 coats on each side, give it a quick light coat and go do something else for 15-20 minutes. I find setting a timer helps keep me on track. My preferred method now is to paint both sides of the lenses simply because building up enough paint to look more red (less pink) is tough. Oh and I like to roll up some painters tape with the sticky side out, stick the lenses to this then stick it to a box or something, otherwise they will just blow away. Last edited by HumboldtEF; 12-16-2020 at 10:32 AM. |
12-16-2020, 10:51 AM | #3 | |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 264
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights? Quote:
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12-16-2020, 11:01 AM | #4 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Raleigh-ish vicinity
Posts: 3,846
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
Tamiya makes translucent red meant for painting tail lights but I’ve gotten basically the same results as the Tamiya paint using a red Sharpie on the inside of the lens.
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12-22-2020, 07:56 AM | #5 |
Sinking with the ship Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: El Capitan...sole survivor and sinking fast
Posts: 8,864
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
Sharpie markers work great for doing the red and amber lights
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12-22-2020, 09:15 AM | #6 |
Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Mid-Ohio
Posts: 4,135
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
I use the Tamiya transparent red paint, but I like the idea of the red Sharpie. Sharpie would be a lot simpler and less messy! Great idea! |
12-22-2020, 10:10 AM | #7 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 1,615
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
Maybe worth adding to this thread... For inside clear lenses I use those plastic faux adhesive-backed gem-stones/ rhinestones. They're available at craft stores or the craft-dept at Walmart. These are to simulate light-bulbs... clear/ orange/ red. Because they are facet-cut, they add a bit of shimmer in certain light/ at certain angles. I've also had really good results with adhesive-backed reflective tape inside of clear lenses and as stand-alone tail-lights and as third brake lights. I'm happy to post up some pics if anyone's interested.
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12-22-2020, 05:22 PM | #8 |
Pebble Pounder Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: USA
Posts: 171
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
My vote is for Tamiya clear red and clear orange acrylic for the taillights. That’s Tamiya X27 (red) and Tamiya X26 (orange) bottle paint. Just brush it on, work fast so the brush strokes disappear. There is equivalent spray cans of the same colors* You can paint the inside of the lens but I think the outside is better. Be sure to use masking tape for a clear demarcation line between the two colors, if needed. |
12-24-2020, 08:01 AM | #9 | |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 959
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights? Quote:
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12-24-2020, 08:15 AM | #10 |
Slow is the new Fast Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Winterpeg
Posts: 2,906
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
All the above advice is sound. I will spray a tinting paint if what I need to mask off is simple enough to accomplish. If the lens is very small and you have to mask off a tiny area for the reverse light then hand brushing is likely easier. I use an airbrush for my sprays, and am using either Faskolor or Mission paint.
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12-26-2020, 04:56 PM | #11 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: orange county
Posts: 313
| Re: How to Paint Tail Lights?
For me good ole fashion red nail polish. Works great and can still see the lights.
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