Tinting Your Taillights & Marker Lights

Skill Level Step-By-Step Instructions
Easy
  1. Remove the part you want to tint.

  2. Using the 600 grit sandpaper, carefully wet-sand to remove the letters stamped into the lens (they usually indicate DOT certification, part number, etc.).

  3. Wet sand the entire part with the 1000 and 1500 grit sandpaper until you get a nice, smooth result.

  4. Clean the part with alcohol, and place it where you intend to paint it.  Try not to touch the surfaces to be painted, as you risk leaving an oily film behind.

  5. Apply the spray tint in broad, even strokes.  Do not stop half way across the part, or else you will end up with an uneven and blotchy result.  You want to coat the entire surface in one light coat, if possible.

  6. Continue coating the part with light coats of the tint until you achieve the desired darkness.  It may be wise to tint the part, leave it to dry for a few hours, and then test it on the vehicle to ensure that its not *too* dark.

    • If you find that the part is too dark, you can use 1000 grit paper to sand off some of the tint spray, however, use extreme caution, because uneven sanding will result in "bright spots" in the lens when illuminated.

  7. When you are satisfied with the results, allow the lens to dry overnight.

  8. After drying overnight, lightly wet-sand the part with 1500 grit sandpaper, and apply a thick coat of clear coat.  This will give the part the gloss it had before, and make it look more smooth and even (the tint tends to appear blotchy).

  9. Allow the clear-coated part to dry for several hours.  If you find the clearcoat is not perfect, you can wetsand it with 1500 grit sandpaper, followed by 3M Hand Glaze to restore its shine.  Generally, however, this will be unnecessary.

  10. Reinstall and enjoy!

Tools Required
  • VHT Night Shades Tint (Part #SP-999)
  • Clear Coat
  • 600, 1000 & 1500 Grit Wet Sand Paper
  • 3M Hand Glaze (optional)
  • Rubbing Alcohol
Credit
  • Ryan Currie

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