Well, I got me some SE rear tails. I have the ones from 89-91, these are my favorite. The center tail compliments them well, but it doesn't exactly fit my tastes. So I was thinking of an alternative. Recently (well, maybe not too recently) someone had used rear tail tint on GXE tails, and it didn't come out bad, it just wasn't good enough to warrant an alternative. I think it was because he left the chrome trim on. Now, I got to thinking: "What if I painted the chrome on the center tail black, and just lightly tint the lens to match the SE tails." So, I want your input. I put my new SE tail next to my center tail with electrical tape covering the chrome. I don't think it'll look too bad, and it might be a fun project. (Don't worry Blutoof, I'm just going to experiment because I wanted to replace the center tail anyways. More than likely, I'll still get that center piece from you )

 

I like it. Go for it.

 

looks cool.

 

looks hairy

 

LOL thats my uncle holding up the SE tail.

 

Gonna try it wednesday guys. Any tips for the tail light tint? I've never worked with that stuff.

 

got one tip: do the work off the car.



(idk what to use...)


Edit:
http://www.decalfx.com/smoked_tail_light_film.html
http://members.tripod.com/~Jetta_GLi/taillights.txt
or even
http://www.legend.org/performance/tu...aillights.html

 

Mm that looks good, but expensive.

 

but the look yer after, right?
'member mods arent always cheap
(the last one should be under $30, provided a pretty steady hand.

 

For tinting, if you're trying to go inexpensive but still have the right look... I'd suggest VHT Nightshades paint. Many people have done professional looking tint jobs on headlights and tail lights. It will come out looking nice if you take your time and try to do a quality job.

http://www.speedunleashed.com/shop/c...artner=froogle

Then clear over it and polish/ wax and you'd probably be good to go. Varying coats depending on desired tint level.

 

just buy some lens spray ...

 

Bought some black paint today, took off the center piece, took off the chrome pieces. Sanded those chrome pieces, and painted. Love the way it looks, but hate the way it came out, so I'm def going to paint the chrome pieces again. I need to order the tail tint too, can't find it locally.

 

Also, I should be installing my SE tails tomorrow or thursday, and I MAY re-paint these pieces again sometime this week. Hopefully final results will be done by the end of the week, with the exception of the tail tint.

 

I did my old tails with "Nite Shades". They turned out well. Here's what I did.

1) I cleaned the lens' very well.
2) I scuffed the lens' with scotch brite pad
3) I sprayed the "Nite Shades" in very light even coats, staying 8 to 10 inches away with the spray.
4) I wet sanded the tinted lens with 2000 grit sand paper
5) I used rubbing compound then polishing compound then a nice carnuba to get a mirror finish (careful to not remove very much tint, only smooth)

 

Where'd you get nite shade at?

*edit* Never mind, I just ordered 2 3oz cans of model master 2949, which is what people used before nite shade came out. It comes out cheaper, because every site charges 7-10 bucks to ship a can.

 

as far as 89-91 is concerned......
GXE uses clear diffractor and red outer shell
SE uses red diffractor and clear outer shell. the SE tails are NOT tinted. they just use clear plastic on the outside so it casts a shadow. but it's totally clear. (if you don't believe me.. just compare the main brake lamp section to the wraparound sidemarker section... the sidemarkers on GXE or SE use the GXE-style red-on-clear setup regardless)

the history of my car's rear (AKA 1990 Nissan Maxima SXE... more SXEness to come next week or so)
stock (on right.. Aaron92SE on left) http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1202274925
mod #1 89-91SE centerpiece with GXE chrome trim swap http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1202275162
mod #2 tinted 89-91SE tails with GXE chrome trim swap http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1202275333 and http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1202275335
mod#3 sanded tint off tails http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1202275394
mod#4 test-fit of 98GLE emblems http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u...em%20test-fit/

 

Ohh, so thats why the SE tails look darker. I was just going to do a very MINOR tint on the center tail so it would match a little better, but I'm going to see how it looks without any tint. btw, why would you swap the CHROME onto the SE tails? Thats the biggest reason why I got SE tails, to DE-CHROME my car. No offense but...chrome SE tails....

 

to each his/her/its own. I don't mind the chrome, plus, it's a unique look. Don't know any other 3rd gens that will look quite like mine once i get finished with the outside. besides the window trim and door trim and grille are all chromed so I might as well stay uniform.

dunno if i want to repaint it the same color or go with something else though. but I have a spoiler to put on as well, so i'll have SE rear w/ GXE chrome, 98GLE badges, and a spoiler... and i'm getting an SE dualtip muffler soon as well to put on it, as well as some other goodies, but the muffler will be the last 'visual' mod for the rear that i have planned in the near future. everything else i have planned is to give the car its ***** back.

 

Well, I guess you're right about the trim. I might go ahead and see when I get my paint touched up if I can get the trim painted black to match. BTW, gonna post some pictures tomorrow, got the SE tails installed and repainted the chrome trim. Still didn't come out exactly like I envisioned, so I think I'm going to get the black trim pieces from an SE center piece to avoid the hassle. My tail tint should come next week, so this still isn't over.

 

i have the black trim pieces with no intention of ever using them... ...

 

 

talk about an old highly retouched photo

 

hehe....

 

Pfff i havent editted anything, thats how it was then I took it

 

you weren't born when that was taken