Blacking Out Tail Lights, Side Markers, etc

Mihogan · 07-25-2011, 12:39 AM

Hi guys. Long story short, I'd like to black-out my tail lights, brake light on the hatch, and the turn signal side markers. Is it as simple as buying a can of nightshade, taping off the lights, and spraying them down? How many shades? Is it easy? I am terrible with spray paint, usually, and would hate to make these all drippy looking and not-professional. Please guys, let me know! Thanks

Adam · 07-25-2011, 12:41 AM

id pull em off your jeep before your painted them

bldeagle10 · 07-25-2011, 02:54 AM

from a thread on expeditionportal.com that i read where a guy did his hella 500's on his newer ford pick up, you would want to remove them (its just a few screws) clean them as directed on the can of nightshade, you may want to remove any oxidization by buffing and wetsanding and such, you can youtube how to do that really...that is if there is any oxidization...
spray on a decent first coat or two, then in my opinion i would put the lense back on and test it to see if it A. looks good and B. isn't to dark, or isnt dark enough. then you simply buff the lense (obviously after it has cured) this will kind of polish it up a bit and make it glassy looking.

**Mark-96-XJ** · 07-25-2011, 10:37 AM

i did it to mine. take the tail lights off and lay them next to each other. take off the turn signals and lay them next to each other. spray from left to right in a solid motion. VHT niteshades is really easy to apply. for the most part, it won't puddle or run nearly as easily as normal spray paint. just don't spray one area too much.

after you've applied the first coat, which should be VERY light, wait 5 minutes and shoot it again, and keep doing light coats until its as dark as you want. thats it!

Mihogan · 07-25-2011, 12:15 PM

Sweet, thanks guys! I'll definitely try this out really soon. One question, though: does this stuff chip easily? I'd hate to have to do re-do this every off-road trip. Also... can this stuff be removed easily, or would I need to buy all new light fixtures if I changed my mind? I have some Adhesive Remover, so I would hope that would remove it just in case...

**Mark-96-XJ** · 07-25-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mihogan

Sweet, thanks guys! I'll definitely try this out really soon. One question, though: does this stuff chip easily? I'd hate to have to do re-do this every off-road trip. Also... can this stuff be removed easily, or would I need to buy all new light fixtures if I changed my mind? I have some Adhesive Remover, so I would hope that would remove it just in case...

i had mine tinted for a couple years, it doesn't chip at all it adheres really well. i removed my tint because i liked the look of regular lights better. just use acetone and rub it, took about 20 minutes to take off tails and front signals

Mihogan · 07-25-2011, 12:58 PM

Sweet man, thank you so much for the help. Definitely doing this to my Jeep in the next few days! One final question, if any of you know here... is this illegal in PA, because every Advanced Auto has told me it is, yet I see so many people around here with blacked out lights?

**Mark-96-XJ** · 07-25-2011, 01:25 PM

looks like its illegal in PA, if i were you i'd "smoke" them by doing some light coats, but not too much where it really sticks out like they're pitch black. i'm pretty sure its illegal if you don't emit enough light. just make sure for the sake of you and other drivers that at night all of your running lights are easily visible and people can see you

TreyXJ · 07-25-2011, 02:01 PM

I really want to black out my taillights and turns too...but its illegal in virginia, but the cops don't seem strict about it as I see many people with them, so imma gonna try and tint them soon. Post pics, I'm sure they'll help me!

**Mark-96-XJ** · 07-25-2011, 02:46 PM

not the best but it gives you an idea

**Durt_Diver** · 07-25-2011, 03:36 PM

super easy. i just threw on a couple coats of night shade. take the markers and rear tails off, its super easy.

one thing to remember is make sure you get the edges of all the lights, i kinda missed mine and it looks funny seeing yellow/red when you are looking at it from the side

**AmbuGrl** · 07-25-2011, 03:38 PM

If you are that bad with spray paint then just buy a full set of pre tinted ones off ebay lol

**Durt_Diver** · 07-25-2011, 03:39 PM

here is how much light mine let through. never had a problem with cops even though i got pulled over for tints on my front windows

Joshharris98xj · 07-25-2011, 03:54 PM

This is how mine came out I have hid light housings now but this is after I took mine off wet sanded to a haze and then put coats on every 5 min and they came out great but on the side markers make sure ou get the edges good! I had to go back and do them