Smoked tail light questions
 

Hello,

Hoping to smoke/paint the rear tail lights.

let me start with it is legal in my state.

Moving on I have read on this board and others about the steps involved and still have a few questions.

This is what I have written down....

Take off rear light covers.

Tape off areas that you do not want to get over spray on.

Wet sand the lights with 800 grit sand paper.

Wash off of sanded dust and clean off the tail lights with a microfiber towel and rubbing alcohol.

Place tail lights in an arrangement where all needed areas that are to be sprayed could be with ease.

Spray four light coats of smoke paint allowing drying time in-between.

Spray clear coat, first spray go light. Second spray go thicker. In the end they will have a white glaze.

Let dry throughly after last coat.

Wet sand using 1000 grit sand paper.

5 hours later buff the light covers.

Use polishing compound.

Final step wax the light covers.

So my questions...

1) Is this the right way?

2) When sanding does it make a difference on how I sand being circular or just straight forward and back strokes?

3) How long in-between smoke paint should I wait?

4) Is two coats of clear enough?

5) On buffing, please don't flame, I don't have a buffer or power drill combo. How would I buff these out (trying to keep in on the cheap side)?

Other than that am I missing anything?

Take care,

Brian

Well I answered my own questions (I guess ;)).

Doesn't seem to matter on sanding patterns. All though using a palm sander for sanding and buffing will save a LOT of arm fatigue ;).

Used two coats of clear coat with UV protectant and non yellowing.

They came out nice. I got a little orange peal but hardly any. Dark but light enough.

Now I have a dumba$$ situation. I did not compare the two lights prior to clear coat. They are off in color depth and it is noticeable. So being the way I am I want to redo them. So.....

What product can I use to "strip" the paint off the plastic?

Appreciate it.

Take care,

Brian