Can you all post some close up (or wide shot) pics of your all red 2k2-2k3 taillights? I've been trying to paint mine but the paint runs through every time and destroys the tailllight. I think I'm just overdoing the paint (too many coats) as I try to be sure all of the amber color is gone.

I just wanna see how everyone else's turned out. Please list the type of paint used. I've been using Testors

 

If the paint is running, you are spraying too much. Lightly spray it going left and right, let it dry before you put your next coat. Finish off w/ few 3-5 coats of clearcoat. Letting it dry inbetween ofcourse. Take your time doing it because you will spend more time cleaning up the mess later.

 

Dumb question: What will the clearcoat do?
Thanks for the help.

Anyone have some pics too?

 

Why not just buy them? I've come to realize that painting "stuff" on a car never really works unless done professionally.

 

Get 2k1 GXE/GLE tails....they are red all over

 

I used this paint: http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/bulandtailli.html

Also, use short burst and it should work fine without running. I need to take a better pic but here's one.

 

doin mine next week !

 

Bc they don't sell them. It's a do it yourself mod. I think the all red GXE tails are ugly as sin.

Any more pics?
Thanks

 

Why the cleacoat?

There's a company selling them now, saw the post last thusday with the name of that company, but they're 250 a set or something like that, which is stupid to pay b/c you can do them yourself. Unless you phukk them up, you should save tht money and just buy the testors paint or some other transparent paint.

 

Can someone please post a link to this post or the seller? I've messed up 2 sets and I was about to order another one.
Thanks a million!

 

First post in this thread: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ht=tail+lights

But I say just do em yourself... $250 is a lot... you can always get a spare set of OEM replicas on eBay for $60 apiece...

 

.. or from a junkyard for even less...

 

I think after the 2nd set you mess up, it's time to just buy them. How did you mess them up? I think the kjey is o lay them on their backs, so that the paint doesn't run up, down, or through the lens as if it were resting on top of itself with the lens portion facing down.

Do a light coat, rest on its back, do another 15-20 mins after. Repeat 4-6 times.

Took me a total of a little more than an 1hr.

 

That's a good point there....

 

yeah, yeah, I know it's hard to belive I've messed up 2 sets already. The first time was with the stock lights still in the car. The second time I had them laying the wrong way so it dripped through the lens. I'm gonna be extra careful with the next set. Resting it on its back is what I should have done in the first place--I just never thought it would actually drip throught the lens like that.

 

Clear coat is top coat paint that is applied over a colored base coat paint. Clear coat increases paint durability, gloss and resistance to harmful environmental effects.

 

but what good does clearcoat do on the opposite side of the basecoat that shows thru the lens? nothing. all your doing by adding a clearcoat is thickness and moving your paint closer to the heat of the light. ultimately for an amateur more chances to screw things up.

 

I didn't put clear coat on mine first time I did it. I've put approximately 5 coats. After few months, paint started to peel off from daily driving and high pressure car washes. I re-painted w/ 4 coats of clearcoat and it's been over a year w/ zero peeling.

 

You are talking about something totally different. The original question was how to paint the amber part of the 02-03 tails red. This is done by painting the inside of the lens and not the outside. You do not need to apply the clear coat to the inside.

 

It's internal, the only thing is the heat from the bulb, but even at that, how often do I use signals.

 

Didn't know you can open up the tails on 5.5 gen besides using Dremel which gets very messy

 

I always wanted to do this mod. I think clear coating would be a good idea since it protects the finish.. also i had a question, has anyone gotten a ticket for having these? i mean is it illegal?

 

^ it looks stock

but modifying anything DOT stamped is illegal..

 

Many vehicles have stock all red tails/red signals.

There's not much to protect in there, it sees less harmful elements than most if not all of the entire vehicle, it's good insurance to apply a clearcoat I guess.

Amni, we don't tear into the rears, just remove them and paint through the small light bulb hole. Patience is a virtue with this task.

 

You don't have to open them. If you take out the bulb you spray through the opening. It's pretty tough but you can get a good coat if you point the can in different directions when you spray.

As far as the legality of it, I don't think you would get pulled over or get a ticket just because the turn signals are now red instead of amber. For instance, the new Altimas have red turn signals.

 

Has anyone tried spraying on the inside of 5th gen tails?

 

I dont see what is so difficult.... a 4 yr. old could do it w/out messing up :shrug: correct me if i'm wrong...the guy selling the all reds is selling them painted by him already you can see the bit of amber outline around the red.

 

i tried to paint mine too, with testors paint i got from a hobby shop. the edges are hard to get, since the opening is very small. i can still see bit of amber on the inside. but its not as amber as the factory.

 

>>>>just whant to let you know that i'm the guy who was selling them on ebay i have an experience opening them professionally, let me know. I can do them for you transparent red or black anything you would like.I can email you pictures for those that are interested. Contact me at Starinskiy@yahoo.com let me know<<<<<<<<<

 

Juice is selling them too. Check the 5th gen classifieds.
But like stevay said, it is really easy to do!!!

 

i did mine a few weeks back, i screwed up on one tail light, bought another and went real slow with short bursts of paint.... it looks good... u can c the amber around the edge at times all depends on what angle u r looking at them.... no matter what it definately looks better than the stock

 

Check the sig...

 

it look much better if you open the tail light and paint it from inside

 

Just to let you guys know that from experimental tests that have been conducted by D.O.T's in other countries, amber turn signals are a safer option than red trun signals. There is information on the net regarding this. I personally always wandered why the U.S D.O.T allows manufacturers to make turn signals red. In Europe, Japan and most other countries turn signals are amber even on the big trucks. One of the primary reasons why they do this is to eliminate confusion especially in the instance of braking and turning at the same time. By having two distinctly different colors it is easier for following motorists to see what the car ahead is doing at a glance.

In the U.S both standards are acceptable either red or amber turn signals, but cars manufactured in the U.S bound for export to Europe or Japan must have amber turn signals becaue the D.O.T in thoses countries makes it mandatory that the turn signals must be amber only. Of course I can go on and on about differences in U.S vs European or Japanese standards but the botton line is you are better off keeping your amber turn signals on the Maxima. But that's just my personal opinion. The final decision is yours.

 

sorry to bring up this old thread, but for the guys that have done it, how much paint did you guys use. I couldn't the testors brand paint locally, so the I'm looking online. They come in 3 oz cans. Would you say 2 cans is enough to do both?

 

i got one for you if i do take my taillights apart(2002 gle) does the yellow or amber piece come out or is on the lens itself cause i was too gonna paint the inside but was wondering if that amber lens comes out.

 

Some ricer shops have a paint product that would work, and it comes in larger cans. I used testors and didn't use more than 1 can.

 

the red/amber piece is seperate. once the lens is off you can access the oval red/amber diffuser. It has 4 clips that snap into place you can pop them right out. thats how i did mine


sorry about the crappy pic

 

so if i wanted to make it black with niteshade should just take bulb out and spray it inside spray it on the outside?

 

majestic, how hard was taking them apart? just pop in oven and separate like the headlights?