How-To. Mazda5 Smoked Taillights and Side Markers [Archive]

View Full Version : How-To. Mazda5 Smoked Taillights and Side Markers

sensinitas

09-12-2008, 10:17 AM

Hey guys-

Does anyone make smoked side markers or smoked rear reflectors for the mazda 3? I believe they will fit the 5 no?

sensinitas

09-13-2008, 06:56 AM

Anyone know either way? Yes or no?

coolmazda5

09-13-2008, 08:26 PM

The 2004-2008 Mazda3 ones *look* exactly the same as the 2006-2008 Mazda5 ones so I would not think they should be any different.

My options would be:
Check on ebay some for Mazda3. I've seen also the LED ones
Post in the Mazda3 or MazdaSpeed3 area to check what is in there or
in the Forum Vendors' Area (http://www.mazdav.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=161).

To any of those, just ask the seller if they are the same for the Mazda5, just to make sure...

VenomDesign

09-17-2008, 10:33 PM

sensinitas

09-22-2008, 07:16 PM

Hi guys , i got mine done this summer. Like coolmazda5 said, look at ebay under Mazda3 side markers.They are the same. Don't forget that our 5 is a copy of the 3.

Antenna
air filter
coil springs
are all the same as a 3 and much much more...

Do you have a pic of the side markers?

particlekeeper

10-14-2008, 06:00 PM

There is a shop selling different models. Here is the smoke version (EBAY Link) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/65D-Mazda3-Mazda5-Smoke-LED-REFLECTOR-Mazda-3-5-05-06_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33715QQihZ009QQitemZ 190240567608QQtcZphoto)

sensinitas

10-17-2008, 09:53 AM

VenomDesign

10-17-2008, 11:27 AM

Here's mine.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh288/V3n0IVI/IMG_3722-1.jpg

coolmazda5

10-17-2008, 11:45 AM

^^ Looks good, did you do it yourself or bought aftermarket? Any tips are appreciated! (naughty)

sensinitas

10-17-2008, 12:25 PM

^^ Looks good, did you do it yourself or bought aftermarket? Any tips are appreciated! (naughty)

X2

VenomDesign

10-19-2008, 12:49 AM

http://www.moveart.com.tw/

paylew

10-19-2008, 02:52 AM

wow, too bad i don't know Japanese...

sensinitas

10-19-2008, 10:05 AM

http://www.moveart.com.tw/

I found the page they are on that website, but how do I buy them??

coolmazda5

10-24-2008, 10:15 AM

sensinitas

10-24-2008, 12:39 PM

Hey sensinitas, look what I found:

http://krystmsgarage.com/?p=26

VHT Nite-Shades is the spray used:

http://www.cacustomcoatings.com/vhtniteshades.html

One of the forum members has done it, looks good...

http://www.mazdav.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123706459

Thanks coolmazda! That actually looks pretty good. I wonder if you could do the tailights as well? I know that's always risky...but I'm guessing with that paint you could easily get it off with some thinner...

paylew

10-24-2008, 01:41 PM

I know a few people who have done it and it turned out really well. I also know a guy who used the stuff from Hobby Lobby and it is entirely too dark, I almost rear ended him because I couldn't tell he was on the brakes during the day light. I'm planing on doing this with the VHT!

coolmazda5

10-24-2008, 09:01 PM

^^ Yeah I've seen it posted earlier. For taillights I'll keep the smoke effect very light, not worth the risk...

Well... does it worth the risk to smoked the tail lights... here are the pictures of my Mazda5... Everybody I know love it... except my mom worry about I will get a ticket for it... other then that... it is the best $150 I spend on my Mazda5...

http://www.mazdaforum.com/upfiles/4168/asppg_Ky428297555.jpg

http://www.mazdaforum.com/upfiles/4168/asppg_Te975245947.jpg

http://www.mazdaforum.com/upfiles/4168/asppg_Ah547099352.jpg

it will look even better if your Mazda5 is darker color... remember to change the brake light to LED.

TonsterPS

11-04-2008, 02:46 PM

http://www.partplaza.net/

coolmazda5

11-04-2008, 03:39 PM

http://www.partplaza.net/

They have good stuff. Any experience buying from them? Never heard of them before. Me likes the LCD side markers (naughty)

TonsterPS

11-04-2008, 06:43 PM

I ordered the eyelids based on a recommendation from someone; haven't received them yet but I'll let y'all know!!

coolmazda5

11-04-2008, 09:40 PM

Thanks man. Those mods you have in your sig sound good, so also let us know when you post some pics :D

sensinitas

01-10-2009, 04:20 PM

Well I just now placed an order for the VHT niteshade spray. You guys know what the basic tail lights look like right? Well I'm thinking of spraying just the clear part, and leaving the red alone. What do you think? I figure this way I can tone down the giant triangles on the back of my 5, but still have legal, working break lights. It would just be the blinkers and reverse lights being covered. And I'm not planning on a thick coat.

sensinitas

01-18-2009, 06:18 PM

All done! Sorry these photos are on here in two threads.

What do you think?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3967s.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3968s.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3969s.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3973s.jpg

red headz

03-07-2009, 04:43 PM

red headz

03-08-2009, 10:26 PM

I just ordered a set of smoked side repeaters. Pretty good deal. Check the 3 forums for a 15 dollar discount from partplaza.org

m.

AO928

03-09-2009, 10:21 AM

You know... You can pick up a can of Testors model paint "Transparent Black Window Tint" for about $5 and spray them yourself for excellent results.

I did something similar on my Porsche with the tail lights. I painted the yellow portions with a translucent candy apple red to make them look all red.

tillyspeed81

03-11-2009, 11:43 PM

Sensinitas you were able to paint your tail lights!!! How were you able to get them open? I heard they were bonded together so it was impossible to bake them...Looks great tho...

All done! Sorry these photos are on here in two threads.

What do you think?

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3967s.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3968s.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3969s.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c198/beradical/CIMG3973s.jpg

sensinitas

03-12-2009, 07:50 PM

Sensinitas you were able to paint your tail lights!!! How were you able to get them open? I heard they were bonded together so it was impossible to bake them...Looks great tho...

I didn't crack them open. I just used the VHT Nite Shades and sprayed the clear part. Came out way better than I expected!

tillyspeed81

03-13-2009, 02:57 AM

yeah it looks great! I thought you opened them up and painted them. Maybe I'll see you around when I go down to the Naval bases in SD...Definately looks better than stock

sensinitas

03-13-2009, 11:50 AM

yeah it looks great! I thought you opened them up and painted them. Maybe I'll see you around when I go down to the Naval bases in SD...Definately looks better than stock

Thanks!

AO928

03-18-2009, 10:13 AM

Here's a quick write up on how to smoke your side markers yourself. I probably could have put on another coat or two, but was afraid of going too dark. It's easier to add coats than to take them off. So I'll live with this for a while and darken them up more if I feel the need.

First, pick up a can of Testors "Transparent Black Window Tint" paint.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5eupTohI/AAAAAAAACa0/87vfwIr48ZA/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20008.JPG

Then remove your side markers. You simply slide them to the rear of the car and the front endge will come out. Then disconnect the electrical connector.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5dVFgtdI/AAAAAAAACac/d3iNNhmOOmk/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20004.JPG

I cut a couple holes in a box to hold the lights and then wiped them down with some denatured alcohol to remove any wax or road grime.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5eXWGdyI/AAAAAAAACas/idscB0CV5BE/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20007.JPG

First coat...
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5fb3NO-I/AAAAAAAACa8/XXKz7sxUPy4/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20009.JPG

3rd coat...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5gEorWSI/AAAAAAAACbE/dQAYoBaB85o/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20010.JPG

BEFORE:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5cRp99uI/AAAAAAAACaM/G8GI3bsAusE/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20002.JPG

AFTER:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5gvFL4eI/AAAAAAAACbM/nt8fgGQGWZI/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20011.JPG

BEFORE:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5c307bjI/AAAAAAAACaU/2dxhRDi4iI0/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20003.JPG

AFTER:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5habTItI/AAAAAAAACbU/-XvrK6AkJyo/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20012.JPG

OFF:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5h0Kh_kI/AAAAAAAACbc/WeVvrYlQEMc/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20014.JPG

ON:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q-VMuv9awdo/ScD5it74NgI/AAAAAAAACbk/8T3J2jxx9DM/s800/Mazda%20Side%20Markers%20015.JPG

antlind

03-18-2009, 11:12 AM

Cool write up......Anybody brave enough to try this on their tails?

mothernature

03-18-2009, 04:22 PM

Don't see much of a difference to be honest mate

sensinitas

03-18-2009, 07:31 PM

Cool write up......Anybody brave enough to try this on their tails?

Already did it. Look at post #23 of this thread.

AO928

03-18-2009, 10:13 PM

Don't see much of a difference to be honest mate

It's subtle... I think I could have gone another coat or two. At least now they don't SCREAM at you. They blend better now.

coolmazda5

03-18-2009, 10:47 PM

At least now they don't SCREAM at you.

LOL, well put, especially with dark painting cars. I like the final %, not too aggressive...

LAmazda3

03-25-2009, 04:47 PM

Hello guys. I am new to this forum but I am a long time member of m****************. My GF just got a 2009 5 and I started modding it. I have a question about the rear reflectors on the back of the bumper. Do they pop off or is their a screw also. On my 3 they pop off but I can't seem to pop her's off. I want to black them out with VHT niteshades. I have used it before on my reflectors and sidemarkers. It's very good if any one is debating on using it. The key is to do light coats. If you go too heavy its turns pale and dull. Thanks

LAmazda3

03-30-2009, 06:56 PM

Well since no one responded I went ahead and attempted to remove the reflectors. After 10 min of pushing they finally popped off. I smoked them with VHT nightshades. I'll post pics soon.

mothernature

03-30-2009, 08:08 PM

Well since no one responded I went ahead and attempted to remove the reflectors. After 10 min of pushing they finally popped off. I smoked them with VHT nightshades. I'll post pics soon.

Can't wait to see them mate. Did you use any object or instrument to pop them out?

eszoom

03-31-2009, 02:20 AM

thanks, lamazda3, i was wondering how to get them off. my friend has a 3 and was asking me today, so i told him i would look here. lol.

LAmazda3

04-02-2009, 11:56 AM

Can't wait to see them mate. Did you use any object or instrument to pop them out?

No, you could use a flat head screw driver but that might break something. All you need to do is push in the tab a little and push forward. It will seem really hard at first but just keep trying. My hand was hurting when I was done but it was worth it. I will post pics this weekend.

LAmazda3

04-07-2009, 11:30 AM

Ok here are 2 pics of the smoked reflectors I did. I did not black them out just a slight tint. It is about 3 coats of Nightshades.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/xReekax/Dustins%20Pictures/photo4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/xReekax/Dustins%20Pictures/photo3.jpg

sensinitas

04-07-2009, 07:57 PM

^^Needs clear

VenomDesign

04-07-2009, 11:41 PM

^^Needs clear

X1000000000 (shocked)

LAmazda3

04-08-2009, 07:48 AM

X1000000000 (shocked)

As in clear coat? I kinda like the flat matte look.

Menzo23

04-22-2009, 07:35 PM

Used VHT niteshade. Remove your tail lights. Apply as much coats as you need to get the right shade. Put them back... Easy and quick

I know left one look darker on the pic but it is not in real...

Diehonda

09-15-2009, 10:56 AM

Used VHT niteshade. Remove your tail lights. Apply as much coats as you need to get the right shade. Put them back... Easy and quick

I know left one look darker on the pic but it is not in real...

How many coats is that?