Night Shade Experience

[TXspeed6]

Ok, so I decided to VHT nightshade my tail lights...and I didn't do them really dark, probably about 50%-60% black and it came out smoky looking, not gloss y at all, like I want it. Is there a way to fix this to make it glossy looking? Do I need to go darker, or apply it differently? When I did it i basically misted it on there, I didn't lather it to avoid any running.
Anyone had this problem?
Thank you all for your help.

[wannabe]

you can put a clear coat on over it.

[TXspeed6]

Have you done that? I had someone that tried it and it didn't look too good.

[ms6acton]

post pics of current ones plz

[wannabe]

Have you done that? I had someone that tried it and it didn't look too good.

no. i didn't clear coat my side/rear markers at all, just niteshaded em. to me, they still look glossy, so i'm not sure if its just the material in the lenses or what.

[Qwik6]

My tails are smoke with VHT. And its not shinny. Its like a semi-gloss and sorta rough. Could be the weather when you paint it as well.

[TXspeed6]

Ya i'll post pictures tomorrow.

And wannabe, I nightshaded my side markers too, they look glossy, but the tails don't

Can you send me a picture or yours qwik6? And how many layers did you use?

[TXspeed6]

Here are some pictures of it. It may not show it as well, but they just look really matte and smoky, maybe i just need to go darker or something..i don't know.

I know, my car is really dirty.

[Qwik6]

Looks like you need a couple more thick coats. Almost looks like a mist in those pictures.

[TXspeed6]

Ya, that's what i'm thinking, I just dont want them too dark :/

[paylew]

I agree with Qwik, I would add 2 or 3 thicker coats and see how it looks. If you do it right you can put clear on and it shouldn't look bad at all. I did a set on a RSX and used clear, and they came out fine.

[Qwik6]

Here goes mine. Not the whole tail just the surround so it doesnt block light output. This was 3 good coats.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/stealthmodifier/DSC_0003.jpg

[Qwik6]

3rd brake light is 2 coats.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/stealthmodifier/100_6311.jpg

[MazMusic]

def add clear coat after if you want it glossy and remember with the clear and the tint always better to do several thin coats instead of a few heavy coats so it doesn't run,

[TXspeed6]

Quik 6...yours looks good, it looks glossy...so did you put a high gloss clear coat or what? And how did you not paint the bulb area? Did you tape it off?

And MazMusic, I think thats how I made it look this way, maybe my coats were too thin? is that possible?

Also...did you all sand the housing? Or do i not need to do that?

[Killer]

3rd brake light is 2 coats.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/stealthmodifier/100_6311.jpg

This looks good.(thumb)

[Qwik6]

Quik 6...yours looks good, it looks glossy...so did you put a high gloss clear coat or what? And how did you not paint the bulb area? Did you tape it off?

And MazMusic, I think thats how I made it look this way, maybe my coats were too thin? is that possible?

Also...did you all sand the housing? Or do i not need to do that?

Dont sand it! But I didnt use any clear coats. I just taped off the bulb areas. Used acetone to clean the area to be painted. Shot a mist coat on there to get a good bond. Then 2 decent coats. I got a little heavy on the last coat and I have a small run in it. But nothing noticable. This stuff dries pretty fast. Had it back on the car within an hour.

As far as the 3rd brake light I painted that on the car. Just taped up around it and covered up the rear bumber.

I know if its humid outside the paint will dry sorta foggy like yours looks.

[MazMusic]

dont remember which thread but there was a guy on here that sanded a few times between coats,

IMO, laying on thin coats is easiest way to make sure you dont get darker than youd like, when you sand it you wanna use (i think) 2000 grit paper then put the clear on that would be the simple way , but if you give igt a good look and theres no particles and it looks perfect just put the clear on

btw wet sanding make sure you use lots of water

if that makes no sense pm me ill explain what I used to do


ok edit disgregard this post lol

[wannabe]

i sanded when i did the markers on mine....came out really well i think.

[Qwik6]

Yea. Being this stuff is transparent you have to be careful and do nice even strokes so it all turns out the same tint.

[TXspeed6]

thanks for all of your input. I think what I am going to do, is put on a pretty thick coat on the one of them and see how it looks, if it doesn't work im going to start over, take it all of and prabably try sanding or something.
But I think my problem was humidity, i do remember it being pretty humid. I'll do it pretty soon and we'll see what happens.

[i58858543]

I agree with the humidity comments. Just be careful putting on thick coats with Niteshades. It runs very easily. I would probably try a couple more thin coats and then clear coat it.
If you want it to be glossy, I think clearing it will be the only way you will get what you want. I have used Niteshades a bunch of times and it never really looks glossy and fades as times goes on.