DIY - All Red Taillights

[FrustratedMunky]

Hello everyone,

I just have a general question, I have a 1991 318IS and I'm looking for the taillights with the all-red look to it. The amber part of the taillights are changed to red. Did BMW make any models with that type of taillight stock? Or are they all aftermarket taillights and I have to either order them or go to a wrecker and hope that there's some there?
Thanks.

-Chad

[KenC]

BMW never made stock all-red tails. They're all aftermarket.

[bimmerphile]

By "aftermarket" ken means we all lightly sanded them down and threw on some paint. There's varying methods to it (based on which paint to use) but most people agree on using some Testor's paint.

I apologize I can't be more detailed, but my bookmarks to the tech articles for this mod have expired.

[Erick]

There are also all red tailights made by aftermarket comanies ( MHW ) and I believe Abraham Motorsports has a set for $350 if I'm not mistaken

[OOMPH!]

I didn't even lightly sand........
1. Take your taillights out
2. Mask off the section you don't want to spray
3. Spray amber section with Testors spray

[Erick]

pics of results?

[Mystikal]

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/red-tails/index.html

I did mine on Saturday. After painting just the amber section, I then did a light coat of the entire light. It looks perfect. I used Testors #1605 Candy Apple Red, with no clearcoat.

[318driver]

I did mine too, Check my website on the WWW thing below. I like how it looks. And it seems to be holding up very well. I also used the Testors paint. I dont remember if i used a clear coat tho. I dont think i did.

[Jand3rson]

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/red-tails/index.html

I did mine on Saturday. After painting just the amber section, I then did a light coat of the entire light. It looks perfect. I used Testors #1605 Candy Apple Red, with no clearcoat.

Damn that's a good write-up. I can't wait to do mine, all-reds look the best on white cars.

[Mystikal]

I had my doubts of red tails on a red car, but it looks amazing. I'll admit that it looks best on white or black cars though.

[RCWells]

Has anyone ever sprayed the lenses from the inside? Would this work better?

[Mystikal]

It would be pointless effort.

[RCWells]

It would be pointless effort.

Uh, why? It seems if you painted them from the inside, the outer finish would of course not be altered, thereby creating a more polished look, no?

[808BMW]

It would be pointless effort.

Uh, why? It seems if you painted them from the inside, the outer finish would of course not be altered, thereby creating a more polished look, no?

But it would still be amber, thus defeating the purpose.

[Jand3rson]

It would be pointless effort.

Uh, why? It seems if you painted them from the inside, the outer finish would of course not be altered, thereby creating a more polished look, no?

But it would still be amber, thus defeating the purpose.

Exactly. It doesn't work like you think it's going to. You have to cover the amber color from the outside.