08+ WRX/STI Hatch Tail Light Tint - Paint or Overlays?

[xluben]

As we all know, the 08+ WRX / STI hatch comes with awful clear taillights. Unfortunately there still aren't any red/clear tail lights that are made/sold for this body style! So I am forced to look at other options. I know there are a lot of people that have tinted them or changed them to red. I am looking at the red option. I would love something looks OEM (ie. retains reverse and turn signals), but doesn't have the clear reflectors.

I think I've found there are 2 main methods: paint or vinyl overlays. For both of these there is the option of DIY or professional. DIY paint is the cheapest, probably around $10-20. DIY overlays range from $20 for sheets off of eBay or $60+ for precut vinyl sold online. Getting either method done professionally would likely be $100-200 (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

I want something that looks professional/OEM quality, and it has to last long term. But I would rather save some money if it all possible. I would also like to avoid any major headaches. Overlays seem like a safe bet. If it doesn't look good, just pull them off and go back to stock. Could just be a waste of time and money though. Paint seems easy, but if it goes wrong, or doesn't last long term you are left trying to sand it off and could have ruined taillights.

Please vote in the poll if you have used a given method, and are happy with the results. (ex. if you bought overlays and you couldn't get them installed, and then threw them away, don't vote for them, LOL)

Any other comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

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[scoobysnacks420]

paint yourself, then wetsand. taillights come out of the car easy enough, painting isnt too hard, neither is wetsanding. they will look great

[code72chase]

Agreed, very easy to do. Just refreshed a set of headlights with wet sanding and buffing, they're pretty forgiving.

[bwilliams373]

i simply cleaned mine really well and did them ALL red... i LOVE it! you only need a few coats and if you get done and decide its not what you wanted simply rub the paint off with some paint thinner till they are back to stock. The can was only $7.99. You can mask the reverse and blinker off too if thats the look you want to keep them clear, but be sure to mask them off ON the car so the lines match when reinstalled. Either way its cheap and easy and reversable.

FYI: the paint i used was from Autozone and was called Metalcast, make sure it has a red cap! lol

[BeetsBearsBattlestar]

I like my blue bat overlays, but I had to find someone local to install them which took a little while. it's a thick vinyl that is a lot more difficult to work with than what a lot of tint shops work with. Everyone thinks the lights are stock which is the look I was going for. I think I paid about $40 for the overlays and $80 for them to be installed. well worth it to me, but I know a lot of people paint them too with good results.



EDIT: just saw you're in the twin cities, if you want the name of the guy who installed my overlays send me a PM, he's a fellow subaru enthusiast who runs a tint shop.

[PARANOID56]

i did the overlays but after a few months the top parts started to bubble, i am soon taking them off and painting them so i dont have to worry about it anymore.

[xluben]

To the people who painted, any tips on masking for the turn signals and reverse lights? How do you cut around the masking and not scratch up the tail light?

[stg313]

Anyone have black painted tail lights? preferable for me to see on a black hatch?

[xluben]

Originally Posted by stg313

Anyone have black painted tail lights? preferable for me to see on a black hatch?

Thread jacker!!!!!

[scoobysnacks420]

Originally Posted by stg313

Anyone have black painted tail lights? preferable for me to see on a black hatch?

Mine are tinted with vht nightshades, but my car is red. let me know if you still want to see it

[xluben]

Hey now, let's keep this on topic...

[dwf137]

Originally Posted by xluben

To the people who painted, any tips on masking for the turn signals and reverse lights? How do you cut around the masking and not scratch up the tail light?

i didn't cut, i took my time placing the tape, and made it perfect.

[xluben]

Do you have any close up photos?

[Midevil]

Heres my $.02 I owned a OBP 08 WRX and had smoked tint covering the whole tailight. That is ok, but I have painted the talights myself on my new '10 STI just red with cleared reverse lights. Painting was easy and it looked great. But I wanted to change it back up to overlays so I had stripped the paint and had these overlays professionally installed. IMO these overlays will look sick on the OBP hatch. GL with your choice.

[SwiftShifter87]

painted myself
i enjoyed taking the lights out, taping them off, and spraying the whole experience was enjoyable not a headache like some modifications are. and if they wear or look bad you just redo.

[dees421]

I like the painted version. I have overlay and after 3 years they have bubbled on the edges. Im gonna paint mine. Is the metalcast the best to use. I can't find the stain glass paint people have talked about.

[xluben]

So, what's the best way to tape off the light for paint? Do you cut the paint line? Doesn't this scratch up the tail light?

[WRXSIG]

I just installed mine friday.....ill probably paint them in a week or 2..

[Midevil]

Originally Posted by xluben

So, what's the best way to tape off the light for paint? Do you cut the paint line? Doesn't this scratch up the tail light?

This is what I did when I painted mine.. Use a smaller width tape to make your outline and get bigger tape to fill in the rest. You can use a razor blade to cut the tape without cutting your light, but just be hard enough to cut through the tape and not the light.

Extra tip for everyone: DO NOT GET MASKING TAPE ON THE FOAM CUSHION THAT OUTLINES THE LIGHT!! IT WILL RIP IT RIGHT OFF ONCE YOU GET IT ON THERE!! Ask how I know..

[xluben]

Thanks for the tips. Cutting through the tape but not the light sounds a bit tricky...

[Primary Visions]

im stuck with the same problem. I have an 08 wrx hatch and cant stand the headlights/tailights. Might do what midevil did.

[JukeJOint]

Does anyone know where I can find the write-up for these? It was on the this forum but I can't find the link



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[xluben]

Those look cut open and painted internally.

[JukeJOint]

I'm not sure how it was done but it looks awesome! I just wish I could find the guide

[stg313]

Originally Posted by SwiftShifter87

painted myself
i enjoyed taking the lights out, taping them off, and spraying the whole experience was enjoyable not a headache like some modifications are. and if they wear or look bad you just redo.

Do you have any more pictures of your car? I like that spoiler!