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Thread: Re-tinting faded reflectors

  1. #1
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    Default Re-tinting faded reflectors

    okay so if anyone's had a vs then they know the problems with the fading reflectors; apparently aftermarket ones don't fade but i've never seen it confirmed or anything but somehow we always end up with reflectors looking something like this:
    Attachment 119401
    minus the tape around them naturally.
    I've been told that having white or white-ish reflectors is actually illegal but once you've been defected for it then you can't use this as a fix; you've gotta get new tail lights. However if you haven't been defected for it then its a brillaint way to keep it looking stock.
    the only reason i decided to write this was to compile all the stuff that i found so hard to find out so here goes:

    things you'll need:
    1) tint - i got this from bursons and it looks like this:
    Re-tinting faded reflectors-img00026-20110624-1238.jpg
    the brand is called specialty and its pretty much a nail polish kind of bottle with a brush attatched to a top lid. i shopped around and couldn't find anything in car toys, supercheap or repco and apparently autobarn stock the spray version of the paint pictured above but i didn't find any....
    also the only tint VHT do is nightshade so naturally you can't find it in red.
    2) some metho and an old rag
    3) masking tape

    steps:
    from here on in it is pretty simple,
    1) dip the rag in some metho and clean all the dirt etc off the reflector; don't soak the thing so much that it will eat away at the plastic but just enough to clean it off.
    2) mask off the area like so:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    note i'd be rather careful about this and masking tape is your friend in this case, i'd rather use more than necessary than have my reversing lights tinted red.
    3) apply the tint in horizontaly strokes from left to right or swapped over; i was a little hesitant about how much you put on but the tint soaks in fairly well as long as you spread it out to be an even coat.
    4) wait for it to dry
    naturally it will take a day or so to dry and as it does you may or may not get some high or low lights in the red reflection however if you've applied it evenly it will all have evened out.
    5) if you still want it a little darker have another go at it! if worse comes to worst wipe it off with some metho however thats whats the box says and i haven't tried it so do it at your own risk lol
    6) finito!

    again its a rather simple but i thought i'd compile all the stuff i figured out to save the running around i did!

    note if you're planning on finding the spray version then what i'd do is maskign tape off the area as if your using the nail polish and use the masking tape to hold down some newspaper to stop any going onto the other parts of the tail lights.
    Re-tinting faded reflectors-img00029-20110624-1258.jpg
    Re-tinting faded reflectors-img00030-20110624-1305.jpg
    Re-tinting faded reflectors-img00033-20110624-1313.jpg
    Re-tinting faded reflectors-img00034-20110624-1313.jpg

  2. #2
    calais24/7's Avatar
    calais24/7 is offline Mucca Mad Boys
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  3. #3
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    Default

    sorry for the late reply mate; its only about 10 bucks from bursons, the spray was 20 i think at autobarn

  4. #4
    calais24/7's Avatar
    calais24/7 is offline Mucca Mad Boys
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    all good, i might done that to a spare one i have and then sell it lol. I bought a new one cause i couldnt find a fkn spray or even a brush on at any shop

  5. #5
    calais24/7's Avatar
    calais24/7 is offline Mucca Mad Boys
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    Default

    I just bought the exact same thing froma a autopro, cost 13.99 for anyone thats interested. Im going to give it a go on my old one today


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