I 'Smoked' my Third Brake Light.

[verytalonted]

Ok so I finally got around to 'smoking' or tinting my 3rd brake light/cargo light.

The last time that I had 'smoked' an automotite light was back when I was into Eagle Talons, so things like "Nite Shades" were not common knowledge.

Back then I used a spray on window tint, made to be used on model cars. And clear coated over the 'smoked' taillights.

I used the same process today on the Raptor's CHMSL or 3rd brake light.

Here are my pics of it all:
The Paint is called "ModelMaster Custom Spray Lacquer" in the color "Transparent Black Window Tint" and it can be purchased at Hobby Lobby for $6. And it will be in the model car area of the store, in the glass case that they keep model car spray paints.


Before Pics:



Upside down:

 

[verytalonted]

After and reinstalled:



At Night (camera sucks):




The process for uninstall and re install is pretty simple, just two screws.

You can control the level of 'smoke-ness' by limiting how many layers of the tint spray paint you use. I used the entire 3 oz can on this one and it came out black, but the lights shine trough pretty good, so I am happy with it.

Then after you get the level of darkness you want clear coat it with about 3 coats. The tint paint is very weak and can easily scrap off with your finger nail which is why you must clearcoat it to pretect the tint.

I also painted the heads of the screw since they were silver and would have stood out against the smoked light. I did this by sticking the screws in to an old cheap styrafoam cooler i use for painting bolts and screws. I just stab the screw in, and leave the head of the screw/bolt showing and spray it a few coats, and when it dries the threads remain unpainted and I didn't have to use tape. Just my thing.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Just tryna pass along some knowledge to the forums. And it took me about a day and $6 (I had clear and gloss black at the house already) and not I don't have that white rectangle sticking out against the black and orange theme.

Thanks,
--Chris

 

[6.2]

Looks good man


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-Posted with my iPhone.

 

[verytalonted]

Thanks!

 

[BIRDMAN]

looks excellent. i'm surprised how much light shines through..

 

[verytalonted]

It shines bright enough during the day on the red LEDs, but the reguler bulbs for cargo lights were weakened enough to notice. But I dont really care about cargo lights.

All the pics above are just running lights not barake lights (like pedal down).

I am happy with it.

 

[Phyguy]

Wondering how this is holding up? If it's holding up well, I'd like to do it this weekend. Why kind of clear did you use?

Thanks for the info.
MDU

 

[Badrap]

My LEDS burnt out today. What's up with that? High center stop beam... I think they call it. Replacement tomorrow.
Anyway nice look man.

 

[RaptorScrew]

Just smoked mine this week. Thanx for all the info.

As for the Clear, I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby as mentioned in this thread. The clear was right next to it.

 

[Phyguy]

awesome, thanks. The more I see that big white light on the back of my tux black screw, I have to do something about it.