Tailight painting?

What does everyone use to paint the taillight on cars, preferable my 300ZX. For the Black section, do u use transparent black, or just Tamiya Black?? also, is there an easier way to get into the tiny areas, other than using a thin paintbrush??

For thin areas, use a blackwash.

wat do u mix black with to make it blackwash?

I use semi-gloss black on the backsides of the clear parts, when possible. Depends on the car, and I haven't done a 300ZX, so sorry! :o

ok.. i tried painting again.. with a tiny brush, but a tiny little got on the clear part for the light, ... is there anythin taht i can do, do get the little spot off?

You can try scrapping the paint with the tip of your x-acto knife. That's what I have done. Do it very lightly and be patient or you'll scratch the clear lens. Once you're done and paint/foil the area beneath the lens you won't be able to tell.
Hope this helps.

Use a toothpick to clean off any excess, preferably before it dries. Also, if you don't know already, it is safer to use acrylic paints on clear parts like taillights.

Always use acrylics,tehy ar easy to scrape off with a tooth pick and can be stripped with ammonia(If using Tamiya)or alcohol wtith no harm to plastic. For the small separation lines use a disposable technical pen sold at craft stores, get on in the .005 and .010 sizes. and for a nice black edge around the whole light use a standard size magic marker(make sure it has the flat square tip not a round one). If the turn signal has an orange area in the center of the red paint(preferrably airbrush) the back of lens orange let dry then mask orange area and spray the red. The orange under the red wont hurt the color. if there is a small too hard to mask clear area go ahead and paint the red or orange over it then remove the paint in the clear area with a toothpick dipped in alcohol. That's how did this very complex light on this Toyota. I actually painted the bcak of the light red then cleared out the clear and orange area,then pianted the orange and remove paint again from clear area.

Use liquid masking on the clear parts. Wait until dry, spray or brush the black, then peel off the masking. Liquid masking is the thing to use to mask oddly shaped objects and uneven surfaces if u want a tight seal.;)

Originally posted by hermanchauw
Use liquid masking on the clear parts. Wait until dry, spray or brush the black, then peel off the masking. Liquid masking is the thing to use to mask oddly shaped objects and uneven surfaces if u want a tight seal.;)

You cannot use liquid masking with Tamiya Acrylics, they bond to gether and it cannot be peeled off the paint. This a problem with all water based Acrylics.

An easier way is to use black gundam marker for the thin parts

U can use a toothpick or any small obkect that is pointy. I just used a really thin paintbrush. I made Cystal Red Tail Lights. There all red everything even my back ups.:flash:

Originally posted by Shorty4859
U can use a toothpick or any small obkect that is pointy. I just used a really thin paintbrush. I made Cystal Red Tail Lights. There all red everything even my back ups.:flash:

Yess, we have all seen your ITR... :finger:

Originally posted by thug_9_6


Yess, we have all seen your ITR... :finger: :cwn27: :cwn27: :cwn27:

I have a tip for the red and oragnge parts of rear lights. I use permanent red and orange markers to color the tails. Suprisingly, they come out transparent. The only downside is that it cannot be removed, SO PRACTICE FIRST!

I'd use a markerpen for your tail lights

Originally posted by 935k3


You cannot use liquid masking with Tamiya Acrylics, they bond to gether and it cannot be peeled off the paint. This a problem with all water based Acrylics.

i wish i knew that before i bought liquid mask, but i guess it's better to know this now then later.

I've always wondered what difference it made in painting taillights with X-1 or X-18, as the clear parts pretty much makes any color gloss anyway.

Toothpicks dipped in isopropyl alcohol work even better at removing smidgens of paint.

Originally posted by daggerlee
I've always wondered what difference it made in painting taillights with X-1 or X-18, as the clear parts pretty much makes any color gloss anyway.

Toothpicks dipped in isopropyl alcohol work even better at removing smidgens of paint.

It doesnot make a difference when painting the back side of windows or tail lights. I use Flat black becaus it usually lays down better. From outside you can't tell whether its flat or gloss.