VHT Nite Shades Write Up (Installation, Preparation)

[BIG_MIKE2005]

Not sure what happened to you there. I have had zero issues. Looks like your cracks developed before the paint cured too. Maybe a bad can of paint. I just got a bad can of high temp I was using for a project.

On the tail lights, yes you want to remove them. Just pull the 2 side trunk panels & move the carpet out of the way. there are plastic wing nuts holding them on. Takes all of maybe 10 minutes to remove entire rear section.

[camaronut502]

ok thanks

--Matt

[GT Griller]

Originally Posted by BraemerZ28

Anyone had trouble with major spider cracking on their 3rd brake lights?

I pulled my side markers and 3rd brack light to do the Night Shades trick. I wet sanded everything with 600 grit and then 2000 grit. Cleaned with alchohol and then painted per instructions on the can. Side markers turned out great, but the 3rd brake light spider cracjed light crazy!!! I thought maybe I had some chemical or something on the brake light. So, I sanded id back down to the plastic using 250 grit, then wet sanded again with 600 and 2000. Cleaned this time with water, let dry overnight, and painted. SAME THING!!!

I've sent VHT an e-mail asking for input. Anyone out there have an idea of why the side markers would work so well while the brake light would get screwed up? I used the same prep, did them at the same time, in the same shop.

Any help?

Thanks,

Samething happen with my buddies TA.......IT worked fine for me tho.

[NOIR]

Well after about a year and a move to S. Florida, my tails are starting to orange peel and fade pretty bad on the tops from the sun. So looks like I'll have to try and hit it with some clear, or redo the tails. So that seems to be the life span of niteshades when kept out doors at all times. Not too bad. Tho I'd have liked it to last longer, maybe I need a better clear?

[ws6_z28]

Originally Posted by NOIR

Well after about a year and a move to S. Florida, my tails are starting to orange peel and fade pretty bad on the tops from the sun. So looks like I'll have to try and hit it with some clear, or redo the tails. So that seems to be the life span of niteshades when kept out doors at all times. Not too bad. Tho I'd have liked it to last longer, maybe I need a better clear?

How many coats of clear did you do? I am in the process of doing mine now. I had the same third brake light problem. A year life span was not what I was expecting..that sucks!!

[BIG_MIKE2005]

Man, mine sit outside without bein washed for a month after doin my with no cover over it. Its now been about a year since I did them & I have no fading yet. Although I did do about 3-4 coats of clear on mine also.

Hey Noir, I used the Duplicolor Truck/SUV clear coat also. Not sure if its supposed to be a stronger clear or not, but its in a different can then the regular Auto clear. Might check it out.

[NOIR]

Im not sure how many coats I did, probably not enough tho. lol I'd say with a good quality clear like big mike mentioned would prevent this. Thanks Mike! I'm gonna redo them in the next month or so, just taking care of a new system and some clutch problems first. And possible a cam swap .

[ws6_z28]

Originally Posted by BraemerZ28

Anyone had trouble with major spider cracking on their 3rd brake lights?

I pulled my side markers and 3rd brack light to do the Night Shades trick. I wet sanded everything with 600 grit and then 2000 grit. Cleaned with alchohol and then painted per instructions on the can. Side markers turned out great, but the 3rd brake light spider cracjed light crazy!!! I thought maybe I had some chemical or something on the brake light. So, I sanded id back down to the plastic using 250 grit, then wet sanded again with 600 and 2000. Cleaned this time with water, let dry overnight, and painted. SAME THING!!!

I've sent VHT an e-mail asking for input. Anyone out there have an idea of why the side markers would work so well while the brake light would get screwed up? I used the same prep, did them at the same time, in the same shop.

Any help?

Thanks,

Did you find a remedy for the third brake light yet? I am still having problems with mine cracking and orange peeling....

[ino]

dumb ? u paint the outside right?

[BIG_MIKE2005]

Yes you paint the outside of the lens.

I'm not sure why some of you guys are having the issues. Kinda sounds like you got a bad batch from VHT. On the orange peel stuff, your gonna get that with no wet sanding & buffing.

[05 GSXR 1XXX]

very good write up, i did this on my old 01 ws6.

has anyone gotten a ticket from this yet on the tail lights? just my only set back befor i do it again.

[matt01z28]

+1 on the sticky .. that T/A has a sexy ass!!

[NOIR]

thanks!

[BIG_MIKE2005]

Haven't got a ticket yet & I have been pulled over by small town cops too. Never even mentioned it to me.

[plopp]

I just painted mine yesterday and posted this in appearance/detailing:
Taillights - sanded and painted with tinted clearcoat

I used PPG shopline clear with activator and black tint.... should turn yellow...

[Torque_Wrench]

Dude, that's friggin' sweet!!! Thanx for putting this up.....I'd never have thought about tinting my lamps until I saw yours! You make me jealous...lol

[demo3k]

What the hell is with the 3rd brake problem?!?!? I just did my side markers and 3rd brake light... side markers great, 3rd brake light looks horrible it cracked all over.. sanded it down and did it again 3 times... everytime same thing!! WTF!

Any ideas or resolutions here?

[ws6_z28]

The only remedy I found was to buy a new brake light and hope it doesn't crack again

[fast]

do I have to order this from someone, none of the locals stock it or say they can't even get it (autozone, advance, o'reilly's)

btw, funny how this can make some cars just 'pop' look wise, great work all and thanks for the write up

[98mysticZ]

ok so you say short even burst... you mean one pass over both peices? and how far back are yall holding the can? i am about to do this and dont wanna mess it up lol