DIY: 2009 wrx tail light mod (only 10 dollars!)

[Celery GT-5]

same thing happened to mine, I'm going to wait until after winter makes them worse and then do them over.

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[shiggz]

Originally Posted by Anoll

i probably sound like a major noob, but whats the proper technique for wetsanding? I'm going to repaint mine tomorrow, they faded pretty bad after about 6 months.. I used Duplicolor metalcast red and rustoleum UV resistant clearcoat. Also was just planning on re taping and painting over.. should i wetsand prior or use some sort of solvent that's proven to strip this stuff clean?

Same thing happened to mine with the duplicolor, don't use acetone cause that will eat the plastic may or may not mess it up. I just redid mine. I stripped the old paint off with simple green and scotch brite, wet sanded it off pretty easily. I tried the krylon stained glass red with krylon UV resistant clear and its been holding up pretty well. But if you do decide to use the krylon it goes on ALOT thicker than the duplicolor, I remember I had to keep going over coat after coat to get a decent red, with the krylon I got a nice dark almost Smokey red with 3 coats. Hope it helps.

[dingobite]

Like darn have to edit my post again.


My lights the left most is a little hazy i think its from to much red and trying to finish the lights in the dark.
2 coats red, light, then medium coat, 15-20 wait each
sanded
1 coat red, medium coat, 15-20 minute wait
Clear Coated, 2 coats, 8+ hours - medium spray just enough that the reverse light is smooth to touch i masked off theres no clear on the triangles.


I can see through your first spray wheres there not enough red paint glad you fixed it cause 8+ hours for the paint to dry sure messes with wanting to repaint till its done right.

Originally Posted by messadiah

[subieguy87]

Originally Posted by Spindrift

Tried it on my 06 and I think it looks like crap. Super flat, even with the clearcoat.

Fail?

U shoulda left it partially clear

[steveliu30033]

looks good

[jester8798]

Here's mine I just finished yesterday.

4 coats: Duplicolor Metalcast
3 coats: Rustoleum Clear

Before:


After:

[tho5]

got mine done yesterday...
4 coats of krylon
1 coat of smoke metalcast
3 coats of clear
looks awesome!

[RicersWetDream]

Redid mine about a month ago....

After a little over a year:


Fixed:


I still used metalcast but I got pretty much the best automotive clear coat you can get in a rattle can.... Stuff was like 20 bucks but hopefully it'll last longer. It was only about a 3 hour process this time around, I just wet sanded them the way they were to rough them up a bit, and painted over what was left. The red made it way easier to mask off the lights too.

[pkr]

update.........found out my pannel shop/spray painter used motor bike red die by Debeer/Auto lack for my tail lights

.It hasnt faded at all in the 2 years ive had them painted.......

[Dirtluver]

way more sexy than stock taillights

[LCBogey]

I had been looking at this mod for a long time and first of all wished I had a 2009 WRX, but I dont, I have a 2006 WRX.

Anyway, after debating doing it for a few days I took matters into my own hands and went ahead with the mod. I am literally waiting for the lights to dry right now, as soon as they're dry I'll post picture. Love them so far! Can't wait to re-instal them on my car!

[HXC573]

I have literally done this mod twice 1st- i smoke them well actually just full on painted them black and then was pulled over necause officer could not see my running lights while his f***ing spot light was on them 2nd- i completely smoked both housing ( i own a '11 hatch) and i alzo wetsanded both times and buffed buffed and polished always do that it makes it look makes it look ten million times better.

[HXC573]

Sorry about the misspellings and extra words damn smartphones

[LCBogey]

What do you buff with? Mine are a bit streaky? Also, what can I wet sand with?

[b0dh1]

Just getting done mine. They are looking great but I lost a nut and I'm hoping someone can help me find it.
I'm looking for the small 10mm nut that holds the outer lights onto the body of the car. I'm so bummed that I lost it but at least the job came out great.
I've been looking through the 1st subaruparts catalog but can't seem to find it. Any help much appreciated.

[mmfullen]

Anybody try the red vht spray? I've had great luck on other cars with the vht niteshade.

[thrdeye]

Well I am taking the plunge today. I found some VHT nightshades in red that I'm using. Looks good so far.

[cianuro]

Originally Posted by thrdeye

Well I am taking the plunge today. I found some VHT nightshades in red that I'm using. Looks good so far.

I bought 2 of those cans 2 weeks ago, but I'm still trying to squeeze the time to do this.

Looks like I made the right choice in paint. Are you gonna clear coat it? I still haven't decided which clear coat to use.

Looks nice.

[thrdeye]

clearing them now. Seems like with enough light coats, it might dry pretty smooth.

[cianuro]

Originally Posted by thrdeye

clearing them now. Seems like with enough light coats, it might dry pretty smooth.

What brand of clear coat are you using?

I've had clear coats land smooth on surfaces without the need of polishing. The problem I have found with this is that some clear coats leave a sort of white residue, which is why I ask for brand.

[thrdeye]

here ya go.

4 coats of VHT Nightshades (Red)
4-5 coats Duplicolor clear
no sanding or polishing yet.

They have a bit of texture. According to the can of duplicolor clear, I may be able to buff them to a sheen.

I'll also be putting some compound on a cloth and smooth down the edges where I masked them off.

The only thing that I will add for advice is to try not to get tape on the foam that's on the back of the lights. It stick to it REALLY well. Tore my foam in some places. No big deal, but I'm a perfectionist.

[cianuro]

Originally Posted by thrdeye

here ya go.

4 coats of VHT Nightshades (Red)
4-5 coats Duplicolor clear
no sanding or polishing yet.

They have a bit of texture. According to the can of duplicolor clear, I may be able to buff them to a sheen.

I'll also be putting some compound on a cloth and smooth down the edges where I masked them off.

The only thing that I will add for advice is to try not to get tape on the foam that's on the back of the lights. It stick to it REALLY well. Tore my foam in some places. No big deal, but I'm a perfectionist.

Nice! Thanx for the tips.

[thrdeye]

Oh also....I have a TON of the red left. See if you can return one can.

[cianuro]

No worries. That's in case I need to redo it. You never know.

[Celery GT-5]

i almost bought a can of that to redo mine yesterday...but at this point I would have spent more than overlays...idk

i also have a can of that duplicolor metalcast...cant decide what to do but they need to be redone