Many people have commented on how they would light there taillights painted, but seem to think that it is to hard to do. This is my 3rd set of lights so I did all the pictures at the same time to get a good write up done with these.   This is for an 04+ GP but the same principals apply to all taillight just 85% of the pics wont help you.

So here we go.

Here is the sock lights not so pretty.

Close up of stock light

First we need to remove the taillights from the car. It's much easier if you remove this trim piece. Start by removing these cargo net tie down points.

Remove these clips on the side also.

Trim piece removed.

Behind the carpet on both sides you will find two other "Nuts" that are holding the taillights in.

Disconnect your wire harness to be able to remove the lights.

Now you have the taillight out, repeat for other side.

Be glad you have these ugly things there because without them it's really nasty looking.

As far as the supplies needed for this. 1 can of Gloss Black paint (I found that Krylon Fusion works best for holding to the lights), 1 can of Clear Coat, some fine sand paper (I use 1000 grit), transfer tape to mask off the area you don't want painted (you can find transfer tape at most arts and crafts stores), razor blade or knife, pencil, rubbing alcohol, flashlight, and paper towels.



Find a good place to set and work, this is the longest part of the process. Hopefully your other half wont mind you using the kitchen table, mine was not as happy as I would of thought.

Use the Transfer tape and cut a piece large enough to cover one area of the tail light. You can only do one area at a time.

Using the flashlight on top of the transfer tape you can see the outline of the open area of the tail light that you are masking off. Use the pencil to trace this line. Hard to see in the picture so I photoshopped the line in.

All traced out.

Cut off the excess transfer tape only leaving the area of the light you do not want painted. When you cut this, do not put any pressure on the knife or you will "score" your tail light and thus making something else for you to have to sand later. Let the knife do the work for you.

One down now on to the next, doing the same thing.

Once both are done move on to the next light.

After both lights are done then mask off the rest of the taillight case. Make sure to tape up or mask up the rubber seals really well. Paint and rubber do not mix well.

Paint a nice even coat of Gloss Black using a sweeping motion passing up the light on both sides to keep it all smooth, keeping the can approx. 10-12" away. It's better to put many thin coats on instead of one really large coat that will run. Let dry to touch (approx. 35 minutes).

After a few coats (I did three even coats) remove the Transfer tape overlay. When removing tape always pull away for the paint working nice and slow.

Next we need to apply some levels of clear coat to the tail lights. You want to do this after you paint so the clear coat will cover the entire light thus eliminating any seems in the paint. When you first apply the clear coat it might be cloudy, this if normal it will dry clear.

Let the clear coat dry to the touch (approx. 1 hour). You might find some imperfections in the paint like in the photo, that is fine you are gonna remove them next.

To remove the imperfections use your fine sand paper. Sand down until nice, smooth, and even. It will look all scratched up and that is fine because it's only the clear coat you applied and when covered again it will be great looking. Make sure you spend a good amount of time around where the transfer tape was applied, because this area will be uneven. Sand it down good.

Shoot with another coat of clear, let dry and recheck for imperfections. If you find some repeat last step if they are good then when they dry hit them again with another coat of clear (I did 3 coats of clear total).

Remove the rest of the masking tape you applied from the lights and reinstall in the reverse order of removal.

Step back and enjoy your work. This process is very easy just time consuming. Total time for one set from start to finish is about 5 hours. But man do they look better.

Enjoy!

Tate

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08 G8 GT: Free Mods FTMFW
06 GXP: 3" DP,Magnaflow catback, K&N Intake,HP tuned,160,flipped mount
04 Comp G: Sold

Very good writeup Tate, thanks for sharing!

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

X2  Great writeup, i might be brave in the spring and give it a go  :)

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Motegi DV5's, avs light shades, fig grills, spo spoiler & tips, Inferno hood

Awesome write up. I have the AVS covers for mine that I was going to put on. But this looks a lot better. Might try it in the spring.

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K&N CAI/Flips Custom Headlights, Tail Lights, Reverse Light,Brake Light/Front STB/Magnaflow Exhaust

2008 Grand Prix GXP

cant you just buy canned stuff and spray that in the light?

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Anyone think they can make a better?
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I have done both options on my car, Click on my sig pic for more pictures.


Versus

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<----Click here for XMRadio, IPod, Sub & Mod Writeups
Alias: Sam93gp on CGP
Also check out my personal weather website at: http://www.mountcrawfordweather.org

definitely a mod everyone should do...

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Custom Tails to come eventually, possibly, hopefully!

That is freaking awesome.


I'd deff do it if I had an 04+


Nice work

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Lots of Pics


God Bless America. The land of the FREE and the Home of the BRAVE.

Got a project to do now!!! Great write up, thanks man!

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Looks great....

Now all you need to do is the backup light assembly....

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From some other painting projects here's two minor things that may help with this.

After cutting out the tape use something very smooth to carefully burnish (rub gentley) the edges of the tape to the cover. This gets a tighter seal may help reduce the rough area mentioned.

Prior to removing the tape trace lightly around it with the BACK edge of the exacto or similar knife. This will help break the adhesion between the paint and the tape and reduce any tendency for the paint to come off with the tape.

I bought a spare set of tail and headlights with this in mind, but will probably get around to that in warmer weather.

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2004 Galaxy Silver
F&R STB's with Don Rome brackets

I also have a spare set of tail lights with the "old" AVS shades still on them setting in the garage. If any one wants to know.

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<----Click here for XMRadio, IPod, Sub & Mod Writeups
Alias: Sam93gp on CGP
Also check out my personal weather website at: http://www.mountcrawfordweather.org

Hey Sam, thanks for the info on the tails. I actually think I like the AVS look better. It seems to be more defined and eye catching. What do you think?

Was also thinking of maybe doing the paint the same color as my car (fusion orange) instead of black. Do you think that would look weird with the red?

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K&N CAI/Flips Custom Headlights, Tail Lights, Reverse Light,Brake Light/Front STB/Magnaflow Exhaust

2008 Grand Prix GXP

Im going to do mine silver when I have time... Im doing everyone elses.. Nice write up

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Never argue with an idiot, he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

Looks like I'm gonna have to photoshop my car and see what it would look like with them painted white, lol! I wonder if I could even color match though with a spray can.

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The AVS painted white looks like shit... Actually painted white looks hot!

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Custom Tails to come eventually, possibly, hopefully!

That's what I'm saying. I'm never buying AVS covers. I want it to be clean edges.

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Has anyone tinted the entire taillight? Does it really impare the light coming through?

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05 Bleen - GTP wheels, Pirelli tires, tinted tails and reverse light bar, HID's, more to come.....
2004 WJ - Mods in progress...

I niteshaded mine...the light that comes through it fine.

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Lots of Pics


God Bless America. The land of the FREE and the Home of the BRAVE.

Night shading is not illegal in NE i take it??

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Anyone think they can make a better?
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V

The only problem with nite shades is that after a year or so they start losing the black color and start turning red again. This is really true towards the top of the lights where the sun hit's the most.
Tate

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08 G8 GT: Free Mods FTMFW
06 GXP: 3" DP,Magnaflow catback, K&N Intake,HP tuned,160,flipped mount
04 Comp G: Sold

I don't know Gabe....but I don't care....tinting my windshield is illegal too....but I got 35% on it....again, I don't care...LOL

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Lots of Pics


God Bless America. The land of the FREE and the Home of the BRAVE.

haha, yes i wondered that too!! [the windsheild]

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Anyone think they can make a better?
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V

Is there a better clear to use, or should the Rustoleum be more than satisfactory? I'm going to try this weekend to do this I think!

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I used SEM clear

SEM is an awesome brand.

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Lots of Pics


God Bless America. The land of the FREE and the Home of the BRAVE.