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Old 12-03-2013, 10:54 AM   #1
moody1
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Default Night shades and taillights

This may be in the wrong section. If so I apologize and mods can move it to appropriate section

The previous owner use night shades (red) on the tail lights. They did a horrible job to say the least. My question is. Is there a way of removing it without damaging the lens? Can I wet sand it down and then redo them in smoke? I am trying to avoid buying new tail lights and really do have much experience with the night shades. Just tryong to decide on the best route to take.
Thanks for any advice.
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Old 12-03-2013, 11:13 AM   #2
Subrosa90
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http://www.vhtpaint.com/products/niteshadesred/

According to the VHT site, it cannot be satisfactorily removed.I take that as you can't get it all off. I'm sure if you try some goo gone or maybe some mineral spirits and wet sand with a high grit afterwards, you could get enough of it off to reapply the black. Good luck.
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Old 12-03-2013, 11:14 AM   #3
Jonesy35615
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Paint thinner and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and Meguiars PlastX.

Use the paint thinner and magic eraser to take of the spray. Make sure you use enough paint thinner, if it gets a little sticky add some more thinner. This takes some elbow grease but does work. I've done it many times.

Once it is all off use PlastX to buff the tail light to a smooth shine with a micro fiber towel.

Here is my friend working on getting it off his 2010 speed3 tail light



Last edited by Jonesy35615; 12-03-2013 at 11:20 AM.
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Old 12-03-2013, 11:21 AM   #4
dangerousatom
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Im not a master paint/body guy, but Id get a can of lacquer thinner and some paper towels and slowly wipe it off. Then you will have to wet sand and buff the tails back to smooth/clear.

The issue IMO is anything that will take off the nightshades spray will mar the plastic as it takes it off. If you have the money it will be easier and faster to just get another used set thats not tinted. Your looking at an hour to 2 of stripping and possibly destroying the tails then many hours of wet sanding and buffing to bring them back :-/
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Old 12-03-2013, 07:30 PM   #5
moody1
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Thanks for the replies.

I am going to try some of the above mentioned ideas. Just really do not have the money at the moment to buy tail light. Its all going towards performance upgrades.

I am just a little ocd and really hate red. That's a whole other story there.

Its very splotchy and thin in areas. There are some spots that you can take you finger nail and just scrape it off. So hopefully it will not be to bad to remove. Will let you all know how it goes.

Thanks again
Moody
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Old 12-04-2013, 08:12 AM   #6
gmruhren
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Default Night shade removal

You can remove the night shade paint if you want with thinner and a lot of work. i don't see why you wouldn't just use a very fine grade sand paper and just wet sand your lights. if the head restoration kits are just fine grade sand paper then it should work. just be patient and make sure its even all over. i recommend going to an auto parts store and trying to find a headlight restoration kit for after you wet sand the tail light or head light.

I was honestly thinking of doing it to mine and then just getting my tail lights tinted professionally because that night shade stuff just looks like crap and is not even from close up.

A headlight restoration kit should work fine enough. just buy extra sand paper that is wet or dry quality and at least 2000 grit so your not having to sand too much of your headlight away.
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Old 12-04-2013, 08:18 PM   #7
subyhatch05
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wet sanding is opening up a can of worms much larger than what is needed. lacquer thinner and a microfiber will work just fine.

after its all removed, the surface will feel and look odd from the thinner, just get some plasticX or a polish/wax and shine em up after
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