Whistler: Red taillight mod
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 484
From: Beaumont, Texas
Originally posted by ArcticYT95TA
Just a guess, red bulb?
Just a guess, red bulb?
Registered User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,498
From: Ft. Worth,TX (NRH)
I'm doing the all red tail mod I'll try and post pics of it and my flashing third brake light too
It's just red taillight tint you can buy at just about any ricer/import shop
Might be a week or too before I can do it, a cold front just moved in texas
It's just red taillight tint you can buy at just about any ricer/import shop
Might be a week or too before I can do it, a cold front just moved in texas
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 484
From: Beaumont, Texas
Originally posted by AW/whiteZ-28
I'm doing the all red tail mod I'll try and post pics of it and my flashing third brake light too
It's just red taillight tint you can buy at just about any ricer/import shop
I'm doing the all red tail mod I'll try and post pics of it and my flashing third brake light too
It's just red taillight tint you can buy at just about any ricer/import shop
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 183
Yea..AW/whiteZ-28 has got the right idea...almost...
but you will kick yourself once you see the difference it makes if you take the time and paint just the inside compared to the outside.
Also just do a google search for pt cruiser forums..a BUNCH should come up that car has a huge internet following for some reason.
Then just use the search feature of the board and type in red tailight mod and usually there will be someone there that has posted proceddures to do it. My dad did his lights and after pondering the idea for a couple months...then seeing Whistlers car I knew I wanted to do it. Well..mine are almost like Whistlers...I wanted a few things different!
but you will kick yourself once you see the difference it makes if you take the time and paint just the inside compared to the outside.
Also just do a google search for pt cruiser forums..a BUNCH should come up that car has a huge internet following for some reason.
Then just use the search feature of the board and type in red tailight mod and usually there will be someone there that has posted proceddures to do it. My dad did his lights and after pondering the idea for a couple months...then seeing Whistlers car I knew I wanted to do it. Well..mine are almost like Whistlers...I wanted a few things different!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 87
From: Birmingham, AL
Ok, I went to Google and searched for PT Cruiser forums... You are right, a lot came up! I tried probably 6 or 7 of them. I did a search on their messages boards and came up with nothing.
While searching on Google for other stuff, I did come up with the paint you would need to use...
Testors Transparent Candy Apple Red
Testors Transparent Hot Rod Red
Unfortunatly they don't have pics to show you what the color looks like. Does anyone have pics of this?
As far as the mod goes, I am assuming you would just clean the taillights with some alcohol, let dry, and then paint. Should you then spray them with some clear coat? Is this all that is involved?
Thanks,
Matt
While searching on Google for other stuff, I did come up with the paint you would need to use...
Testors Transparent Candy Apple Red
Testors Transparent Hot Rod Red
Unfortunatly they don't have pics to show you what the color looks like. Does anyone have pics of this?
As far as the mod goes, I am assuming you would just clean the taillights with some alcohol, let dry, and then paint. Should you then spray them with some clear coat? Is this all that is involved?
Thanks,
Matt
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 765
From: Henderson, NV
Why does alot of this stuff have to be such a mystery. Why can't we just share ideas and ways of doing mods instead of playing these games of look here or there and nope your not close. If you know how to do it, why not tell them? I tinted mine. I just wetsanded all the lettering and scuffs off, buffed them and then used VHT nightshade on them. They aren't black, but they are subdued. You can still tell the difference between the red and clear though.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 183
Well I decided that since Whistler really didn't want too many people to copy his idea left and right I'd keep it sort of mystery to some... and let you discover the secret if you can...
But hey since he has his Custom Carbon Fiber Targa, Custom Front Fascia, Custom Wing, C5 Rear Panel, Custom Carbon Fiber Hood, and soon to be C5 Flat Rear Bumper (don't really know what to call it), I guess I might as well just tell everyone...and beside I'm bout to start working on a different tail-light mod
...
1) Go to your local hobby supply store.
Ask where there Stain Glass Spray Paint is.
Pick the color you want. Usually they'll have Red,Orange,Yellow and Green. (Of course red is the one you'll want for this little project.)
I've always used the Krylon Stained Glass Color, instead of the cheaper brands.
2) Pick up some Silicon RTV sealant.
3) Pick up a good set of used tail-lights in the style you want to turn all red. (Optional but highly suggested just in case you mess up. Might even want to pick up a 3rd Brake Light/Marker Light just to practice on till you get the hang of it.)
4) Preheat your oven to around 200* (Less heat and longer time will yeild better results so that you dont warp the light housings.)
5) Once the oven is heated, place the housing in the oven for about 15 minutes. Check up on them just to make sure they are warping or anything every few minutes (Oven with a window would be great to use here.) becuase I've on done it this way with Pt Cruiser taillights and dont know if the procedure will be exact.
6) After the glue starts to get soft, take a butter knife and gently pry the housing apart around the edge till it come off. If it's not easily coming apart, place them back in the oven for a bit, dont want to break them.
7) After you get them apart, let them cool back down. Now would be a good time to read the directions and tips of the Stain Glass Spray Color.
8) After cooled, mask of the outside of the lens, you don't want after spray getting on the outside or your prints if you happen to get paint on them.
9) Now clean the part of the lens you intend to spray with rubbing alcohol. Make sure you wipe down the whole lens, and try not to touch them with bare skin at all. I've always been told that oils could cause the paint to ruin, but since I've always been extremly careful, the paint hasn't runned yet on me. Just be careful.
10) Now you have 2 options to choose from.
-First, you can just choose to go ahead and spray the lens with the first coat.
-Or you can wetsand down the lens with VERY fine sandpaper.
After you wetsand and get the whole lens done, dry and wipe the lens once more with rubbing alcohol.
Wait for the rubbing alcohol to dry, then spray it with the first coat of the spray.
Tips for spraying the stain glass color.
Use very, very light coats.
Don't get in a rush and touch/spray another coat of paint until you are sure the coat before it is dry. Usually on a summer day a hour is suffeceint.
If tiny specles appear, allow current coat to dry and next coat, use a heavier coat, but not too heavy. This paint is wierd!
Spraying outside is definatly a plus, but don't just lay them down in the grass and have at it. Everything seems to get cuaght in this paint. Try to use someplace high and where not alot of insects are, they like to get trapped in it. A clothes lines seems to be best.
If something does get stuck in the paint, allow it to dry, then wetsand around the area in a circular motion till its not visible again, then apply more coats as needed till you can't tell it was ever there.
11) Now you have 2 choices again,
-Either just spray another coat and let dry then repeat until you're satisfied with the color.
-Or you can wetsand, then clean with rubbingalcohol, then spray another coat and repeat till your satisfied with the color.
The more time you take with these the better they will look. Hint Hint.
12) After you got the lens the color you want allow them to dry for a Complete 24 hours. Place them somewhere where they wont be bothered and a fan would be a extra added touch.
13) After the 24 hours is complete,peel off the maskign tape and get out your Rtv sealent. Go around the edge of the lens with a bead of it and put the housing back together. After the housing is in one piece clean up the rtv around the edge of it where the seem is and let dry another 24 hours.
14) Now take them back to your car, install them, step back and enjoy! You now have all red tailights!
Also, some people have decided that a layer or 2 of clear coat would be better, but since the paint will be on the inside of the lens, I don't see why it would be needed. You may add it in if you feel like it.
I have also been thinking of paint the back part of the housing a different color, this way, when your lights are on, it'd seem to "glow" a seperate color then when no lights are on. You could either go black for a darker tint to the red, or white for a lighter tint. Just something to think about when you decide to do this mod.
Hope this helps everyone that wants to do this.
Just remember, be creative when it comes to cheap mods to be different from the other 10000 Camaros around your town. If you get an idea that you would think to turn out bada$$, then try it. Just get spare parts in case you screw up.
But hey since he has his Custom Carbon Fiber Targa, Custom Front Fascia, Custom Wing, C5 Rear Panel, Custom Carbon Fiber Hood, and soon to be C5 Flat Rear Bumper (don't really know what to call it), I guess I might as well just tell everyone...and beside I'm bout to start working on a different tail-light mod
...1) Go to your local hobby supply store.
Ask where there Stain Glass Spray Paint is.
Pick the color you want. Usually they'll have Red,Orange,Yellow and Green. (Of course red is the one you'll want for this little project.)
I've always used the Krylon Stained Glass Color, instead of the cheaper brands.
2) Pick up some Silicon RTV sealant.
3) Pick up a good set of used tail-lights in the style you want to turn all red. (Optional but highly suggested just in case you mess up. Might even want to pick up a 3rd Brake Light/Marker Light just to practice on till you get the hang of it.)
4) Preheat your oven to around 200* (Less heat and longer time will yeild better results so that you dont warp the light housings.)
5) Once the oven is heated, place the housing in the oven for about 15 minutes. Check up on them just to make sure they are warping or anything every few minutes (Oven with a window would be great to use here.) becuase I've on done it this way with Pt Cruiser taillights and dont know if the procedure will be exact.
6) After the glue starts to get soft, take a butter knife and gently pry the housing apart around the edge till it come off. If it's not easily coming apart, place them back in the oven for a bit, dont want to break them.
7) After you get them apart, let them cool back down. Now would be a good time to read the directions and tips of the Stain Glass Spray Color.
8) After cooled, mask of the outside of the lens, you don't want after spray getting on the outside or your prints if you happen to get paint on them.
9) Now clean the part of the lens you intend to spray with rubbing alcohol. Make sure you wipe down the whole lens, and try not to touch them with bare skin at all. I've always been told that oils could cause the paint to ruin, but since I've always been extremly careful, the paint hasn't runned yet on me. Just be careful.
10) Now you have 2 options to choose from.
-First, you can just choose to go ahead and spray the lens with the first coat.
-Or you can wetsand down the lens with VERY fine sandpaper.
After you wetsand and get the whole lens done, dry and wipe the lens once more with rubbing alcohol.
Wait for the rubbing alcohol to dry, then spray it with the first coat of the spray.
Tips for spraying the stain glass color.
Use very, very light coats.
Don't get in a rush and touch/spray another coat of paint until you are sure the coat before it is dry. Usually on a summer day a hour is suffeceint.
If tiny specles appear, allow current coat to dry and next coat, use a heavier coat, but not too heavy. This paint is wierd!
Spraying outside is definatly a plus, but don't just lay them down in the grass and have at it. Everything seems to get cuaght in this paint. Try to use someplace high and where not alot of insects are, they like to get trapped in it. A clothes lines seems to be best.
If something does get stuck in the paint, allow it to dry, then wetsand around the area in a circular motion till its not visible again, then apply more coats as needed till you can't tell it was ever there.
11) Now you have 2 choices again,
-Either just spray another coat and let dry then repeat until you're satisfied with the color.
-Or you can wetsand, then clean with rubbingalcohol, then spray another coat and repeat till your satisfied with the color.
The more time you take with these the better they will look. Hint Hint.
12) After you got the lens the color you want allow them to dry for a Complete 24 hours. Place them somewhere where they wont be bothered and a fan would be a extra added touch.
13) After the 24 hours is complete,peel off the maskign tape and get out your Rtv sealent. Go around the edge of the lens with a bead of it and put the housing back together. After the housing is in one piece clean up the rtv around the edge of it where the seem is and let dry another 24 hours.
14) Now take them back to your car, install them, step back and enjoy! You now have all red tailights!
Also, some people have decided that a layer or 2 of clear coat would be better, but since the paint will be on the inside of the lens, I don't see why it would be needed. You may add it in if you feel like it.
I have also been thinking of paint the back part of the housing a different color, this way, when your lights are on, it'd seem to "glow" a seperate color then when no lights are on. You could either go black for a darker tint to the red, or white for a lighter tint. Just something to think about when you decide to do this mod.
Hope this helps everyone that wants to do this.
Just remember, be creative when it comes to cheap mods to be different from the other 10000 Camaros around your town. If you get an idea that you would think to turn out bada$$, then try it. Just get spare parts in case you screw up.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 183
Btw I forogt to add that they paint listed above is NOT what you want to buy. You'd be better off just getting some barn red spray paint as to use that stuff. Don't use any paint thats labeled as enamel. And also, one the back of the Krylon can it says to remove use a razor blade or laquer thinner, sorry but this won't work (well it will just turn out really $hitty). Might as well think of this mod as permanet.
Later
Later