cheap smoke lenses????

[j.loicx]

can anyone tell me a cheap way to smoke out the stock headlights and taillights? i don't wan't to pay the fifty bucks a pair for the lenses

[NYBugman]

the tails are easy to smoke.

Take your tails and sand them down. I would start at 600-grit and work up to 1000-grit. Wetsand, of course.

Get some translucent paint, like Tamiya translucent paint for plastic RC car bodies. Any hobby shop will carry it. Or, go find VHT nightshades paint at your local auto parts store.

Spray the lights with light coats up until your desired color. After the paint dries, you can wetsand the paint with 1000-grit to smooth everything out. Apply clearcoat in a series of light coats. Make sure to use more clear than you think you need, because now you have to wetsand the clearcoat with 1000-grit, and then progress as high as you can go.

Finally, use some rubbing compound, then wax the lenses for a better-than-factory shine. Your patience will be rewarded

[Mr.Yellow]

the cheapest one i have heard is slipping tights over the lenses.

[NYBugman]

Originally Posted by Mr.Yellow

the cheapest one i have heard is slipping tights over the lenses.

it's also one of the most ghetto.

Time and effort will make for the right job and the best results

[j.loicx]

thank you nybugman! but what if i have cracks in the lenses, and does it work on headlights

[NYBugman]

^^^^

If the lenses are cracked, then it will still work, but you will still see the cracks. Yes, it will work on headlights (or any plastic part), but why smoke the headlights? You're going to decrease your light output.

[j.loicx]

i don't know, it was just a thought i guess.. will the sanding and the clearcoat minus the paint work to get rid of yellowness? because i mainly just want to get rid of that on my headlights. thanks!

[NYBugman]

Originally Posted by j.loicx

will the sanding and the clearcoat minus the paint work to get rid of yellowness? because i mainly just want to get rid of that on my headlights. thanks!

Yes, the sanding process will work, but you don't need clearcoat. Just sand from 400/600 thru 2000, compound and wax (or plastic polish in place of the compound & wax) will be all you need. Just sand the lights with nice straight strokes and you should be fine

[j.loicx]

thank you so much ny bugman! you are such a help!