how to paint hgeadlamps and taillights?

i've tried enamel paint on some scrap pieces, and they don't stick!

do you guys paint the outside or inside? does the glue/cement dissolve the paint. any tips would be great. thanks!

also, some headlights (civic type-r) have a dark headlamp inside, instead of silver, do i just use a dark paint inside and keep the lights clear?

Are you painting on the headlight bells, or on the clear plastic lenses?

Im not sure what part you are painting.

Always use Kristal Clear on lights and clear parts as it wont eat the paint up
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/781239DSCF0052.JPG

and do you paint the red and orange clear paint with aerograph or with a brush ?!

the enamel paint won't stick on the lenses. i painted outside with a brush, then i too another extra peice and tridse inside. i doesn't look very goog, and when i tried applyingglue, it dissolved the paint. what the best paint to use on the lenses, and should i paint in or out. in terms of the housing on the body, do i paint that chrome or gunmetal to get that smoke look?

thanx!

Don't paint the clear lenses on trhe headlights unless you want it to look like crap. For example the dark Civic Type-R lights.... Paint the frame of the housing black/dk. gray and the headlight fixtures silver. Then place the clear lens over it and it should look ok. Also, take a black permanent marker (Sharpie brand) and run it over the outside edge of the headlight lens. This will give a realistic black rubber mount like the real thing. There are some cars where you paint the clear headlight lens, such as for turnsignals and the like. Tail lights are different. You want to paint on the clear lenses directly with a clear red. Hope this helps. :bandit: