Finally did the S55 Treatment to my Reverse Lamps

[Blackened300a]

Well for about 6 months now, I have had my taillights painted and never gotten around to the reverse lamps. Well thanks to a slow day at work and nice temperatures out, I finally did it!
HOWEVER...
Ever hear of that Expression "Good from Far but Far from good?"
Well that explains the Bang up job I did on these Lenses!
I thought that the reverse lenses would just unscrew from the back just like the brakelights and I would have a individual lens to Mask and paint.
WRONG!
I had to unscrew the Entire rear panel because the Lenses are all one piece.
Not only did that make the job longer, It also made it a pain in the :censor: to mask off for painting!
Well after finally getting it all masked and prepped, I applied 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of black and 2 coats of clear. I then let it sit for a hour or so because I had things to do after work so I couldnt let it sit all day.
I go to take the Masking tape off and the Glue on the bottom side of the Tape, Stuck to the Lens!! :mad2:
Now Im there with a razor blade and mineral spirits trying to remove the glue from the tape and in the process, removing some of the fresh paint! I had to use touch up paint to fill in when the paint wiped off.
I finally get the rear panel on and Im not happy with the final product :down:

As you can see in these Pics, From a distance or 60MPH they look fine but, up close You'll be wondering why I stuck a paint brush in my nose to do this mod :shake:


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/blackened300a/rear3.jpg


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/blackened300a/rear.jpg


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/blackened300a/rear2.jpg

[DEFYANT]

Looks good man!

[Blackened300a]

Looks good man!

I appreciate your kind words!

At the next meet when I see you, You can tell me the truth about how awful they look in person. :lol:

Im ready to locate another set of reverse lights, Thats how bad they look up close:alone:

[CRUZTAKER]

I know I have screwed some things up before. The PITA panel you speak of...I damaged it with a heat gun in the first 2 days I owned the car.

I still haven't fixed it.

As far as screwing up your lenses. ***** happens. Save up your coin, buy new lenses from RAY, and try it again...or just have a Marauder bretheren do it for you. ;)

[Petrograde]

I just left the damn thing attached. I masked off everything I didn't want painted, then I laid some old brown Army towels over the trunk lid and bumper, then painted away. no probs.

for what it's worth: It looks ok in the pics.

[Hotrauder]

It looks good from here. I chickened out when I saw the job required removing the entire panel. So, I PM'ed Charlie and he turned me onto his Coach Works guy who gave me all the poop. Heck of a nice guy who even recommended what paint to use and how. I had first time nubie step in it and come out smelling like a rose result. I prolly won't push my luck again but there are way to many really talented guys here to resourse not to go for it once in a while. I bet it looks better than you think. I thought I wasn't really that happy with the Trilogy Logo paint job on the throttle body extension(?) but I have had several compliments on it at the BODY SHOP. Dennis:D

[MarauderMark]

I like the look but for me i would only do the reverse lights but more than likely won't even do that.

[Rider90]

I can only look at Defyant's car a few more times before I make a move....Damn that looks good :bows:

[Hotrauder]

Rider you are right. Do your self a favor, use his mod suggestion and install lights in the empty double chambers in the lower panel of the tailights. It makes a tremendous difference, is easy to do with his instructions and low cost to benefit ratio. Dennis:beer: .

[Rider90]

Rider you are right. Do your self a favor, use his mod suggestion and install lights in the empty double chambers in the lower panel of the tailights. It makes a tremendous difference, is easy to do with his instructions and low cost to benefit ratio. Dennis:beer: .
I've already done that, on my 99 CVPI back in my day...Something to consider :)

[SID210SA]

this is how I did mine: Vynals Heated shaped and cut...
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/9/4/3/NightShades.JPG

[SID210SA]

Sorry the picture was soooo big, but if yall are interested in vynals then pm me and I'll let you know where to get them and what is involved...

[DEFYANT]

Sid210SA, that looks great! Nice job!

[Blackened300a]

I thank you for your kind words but Ill hang myself and my lousy painting skills out to dry with a close up pic of the damage.
I assure you that its not pretty from 2 feet away.

[merc6]

If you are going fast enough nobody can cetch the mistake if it really is as big as you say it is ;)

SID210SA it looks nice wish I was still in texas and not here!

[TooManyFords]

[pssst... it's vinyl]

:D

[CRUZTAKER]

[pssst... it's vinyl]

:D

Could be a product trademark....:dunno:

Could be a typo.:P

[Eric91Z]

So, those of you that had a shop do the paint work for you, what kind of money did you pay. This is something I want done right and don't want to take the chance of doing myself. Thinking about getting the factory rear spoiler and having the lights done at the same time the spoiler is painted and installed.

[Architect]

Could a couple of folks that have done this (paint rear light lens) run through their steps and what they used....
who's piant? how many coats of primer? etc.:help:
Oh, and mine's black....:D
Thanks, architect

[Blackened300a]

Could a couple of folks that have done this (paint rear light lens) run through their steps and what they used....
who's piant? how many coats of primer? etc.:help:
Oh, and mine's black....:D
Thanks, architect

Well I did a hell of a job on the Brake lights but screwed up the reverse. So Ill give you my experience for the brake lights

Remove the lens and use alcohol on a rag and wipe the entire lens off, When Dry, Start masking off where you dont want to paint, I used 2 thin coats of primer, Let it sit for about 30-45 minutes between coats, Then I applied 3 coats of black with 30-45 minutes between coats, let sit for a little over an hour, then I applied 2 coats of clear with 20 minutes between coats. let sit for a little over an hour and you are done.
I used a acrylic paint and it never lifted or faded.

[spub]

So, those of you that had a shop do the paint work for you, what kind of money did you pay. This is something I want done right and don't want to take the chance of doing myself. Thinking about getting the factory rear spoiler and having the lights done at the same time the spoiler is painted and installed.

I had mine done at the dealer. As I remember, it cost about $350.00. To me at least, it was more than worth it. Here are the pics.

Kirt

[Blackened300a]

I had mine done at the dealer. As I remember, it cost about $350.00. To me at least, it was more than worth it. Here are the pics.

Kirt

With DTR I would have had to go to professional to get that to match, You can get away with a do-it-yourself job with black.

[Petrograde]

I had mine done at the dealer. As I remember, it cost about $350.00. To me at least, it was more than worth it. Here are the pics.

Kirt

very subtle,.. I like it! :up: