DIY - All Red Taillights

[JasonC]

For anyone using duplicolor metalcast red. It did fade on me. So i used testers red the next time around.

[CorvallisBMW]

So i did my tails over the weekend, using the #1605 Testors candy apple red and the Testors clear lacquer over just the turn lenses. As you can see from the pics, they have turned out cloudy and off-color. I don't do any wetsanding bewteesn coats because none of the write-ups suggested it and they all looked great. But mine look like shit. What would cause this? perhaps the high humidity in the air due to all this rain? I did it in the garage where its about 55F, but still.... I could use the help of some paint guys. I thought about maybe wetsanding with some 2500 grit and then polishing it, but I don't think it will really help.

[Spec]

Corvallis, you still need another coat or two of red underneath. I'd advise sanding lightly again and spraying another... two coats of red. Make sure the red matches in depth before you clearcoat. I used 3 coats of red total, but my 3rd coat was somewhat heavy.

[Van Westervelt]

D-

You need to let the coats dry in between. My assumption is that you layered them on too quick.

[CorvallisBMW]

OK, sounds good. I will do that this weekend. They look better now that I sanded with 2500 and polished them. The finish and shine is the same as the rest of the lens now, but the color is still off. I waited 1 hour between coats last time, and I used 2 of red and 2 of clear. But next time I will do 4 red and 2 clear, waiting a few hours in between coats. Should I wetsand between coats? if so, what grit?

[Spec]

I didn't wetsand, just put an even spray on without any air debris around. If you do, just use a high grit count.

And an hour isn't bad time-wise. These paints should be dry to the touch in 15-20 and dry to handle in 30-40. I think when you get more red on there you'll be set :up:

[AndrewBird]

So i did my tails over the weekend, using the #1605 Testors candy apple red and the Testors clear lacquer over just the turn lenses.

As stated before NUMEROUS times and by Mr. Anderson just a few posts up, you need to use AUTOMOTIVE GRADE clearcoat, NOT Testor's clearcoat. Testor's paint is not made to handle the outdoors. Go to an automotive paint supply store and get some clearcoat.

[Jand3rson]

He's right Darin, those are going to look like ass in no time flat. You can't use model clearcoat for outdoor applications.

Not to mention, 55F is WAY to cold to paint. It needs to be at least 70F for the paint to properly dry and cure, especially for the clearcoat.

[CorvallisBMW]

He's right Darin, those are going to look like ass in no time flat. You can't use model clearcoat for outdoor applications.

Not to mention, 55F is WAY to cold to paint. It needs to be at least 70F for the paint to properly dry and cure, especially for the clearcoat.

OK, i'll stop at the local paint place tomorrow and get some. Oh and yeah I'll re-paint inside this time, so it'll be around 70 or so.

[Van Westervelt]

x eleventy billion. NO testors clear coat. If you are painting inside, wear a mask. Go to a Indust paint store, they should carry the catalyzed clear coat. Its about 20 a can or so.

[Lurker27]

I would definitely consider using duplicolor metalcast. Mine are holding up very well.

[apathy]

What does a couple coats of Nightshade VHT look like on all red tails? Shitty?

[ebelements]

I've done a ton of tails with the testors candy apple, with a variety of different clears... it just sucks, IMO. They don't last long and most of the clears are incompatible.

Just did a set for a buddy with the metalcast this weekend, and because of the size of the can I should be able to do my own with the same can. Lays down nice and the duplicolor wheel clear I had lying around worked out just fine with it. I should be wetsanding/polishing this week and I'll try to get some pics up for everyone. But yeah, so far it's two thumbs up for metalcast.

[wiggafly808]

Did mine a few days ago with testors and and some krylon clear

[kamotors]

i've been experimenting with smoking some extra turnsignals i've had in the garage, and using normal black paint in one thin coat and then one good coat, and then before it dries spray it with lots of clear coat and it gives it a nice glossy smoked look because it thins the wet paint thats there, it probably would work with red paint also.