DIY - All Red Taillights

[Lurker27]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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:

[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?

[Van Westervelt]

D-

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

[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.

[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.

[JasonC]

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

[Jand3rson]

BOTH of those are MUCH better than the testors paint. Testors paint is meant for plastic models that where never meant to see water or the elements unless its to put on decals. I've been building models and spray painting parts for full size cars since I was 8, and I would never put model paint on a full size car, its just asking for trouble.

That's why, and this has been gone over several times, you use an automotive grade clearcoat on the tails after painting them. Mine were done almost 2 years ago, and the red paint underneath has not shown even the slightest inkling of damage from exposure to the elements.

[jflip2002]

Oh, so theres an actual paint for that. Good thing I didnt go try the testors black lol.

[Lurker27]

Jflip: It does. VHT Nightshade is the paint you want for that.

[jflip2002]

I wonder if this works with black paint to give em a smoked look.....