Hello and welcome to this guide to show you how to tint a set of standard lights
to look like the very rare optional RS accessory ones.
These lights have either a clear or tinted indicator section.
As I couldn't get hold of the RS lights I had to tint mine
Tools Needed:
11mm spanner
1500 grit wet and dry sand paper
Nite shades or any tinting product
Lacquer
Masking tape
Parts Needed:
Pair of mk3 rear lights
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Top Bommy
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Light me up
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You need your lights now, If you are not like me and have a few sets
laying about to play with,
Start off by removing your old lights.
This is done by opening the boot and release the bulb holders from the back of the clusters,
squeeze the tabs together and pull.
With the bulbs out of the way, use a 11mm spanner or socket and remove the lights from the car.
Make sure you block the holes where the lights used to be with something to stop water getting in,
in case it starts to rain.
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Take the lights to your desk and remove the foam backing as it will get in the way,
also mask up the holes for the bulbs to stop debris getting in.
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Do one light at a time and use the 1500 grit wet and dry, wet and take the shinny edge off the light.
Do this all over until it is rough.
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Make sure you remove the factory moulding marks as nothing sticks to these and more than
likely they will be full of polish which needs to be removed.
When that's done, clean up the lights with hot water and leave to dry.
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Use thick masking tape and start to mask off all the areas apart from the orange section.
Put 2 layers on if you want
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Follow the instructions on the can of nite shades and spray on a few even
light coats letting each dry! Keep applying the coats until you have the desired colour.
Leave to dry over night.
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Don't worry if it looks rough you can smooth it back in a min, remove all the
masking tape and use wet 1500 grit again to rub down the hard edge of the
black spray so that when you rub your finger over from red to black you cant feel it.
Go over the black part to key it back again like you did at the start,
this is to allow the lacquer to stick to it.
Clean the light again and let dry.
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Apply light even coats of lacquer waiting 15mins in between, no more than 2 at this stage,
Allow drying over night and if it looks rough, 1500 grit it again and reapply the lacquer as above.
Leave to dry again over night then polish it up using a high gloss polish.
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Refit to the car making sure you remove the masking tape from over the holes.
Try your indicators, they should still glow orange, if not, you need orange bulbs.
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I hope this guide helps in some way, shape or form
Feel free to discuss this guide in our forum.
Guide Written and © On 06 Apr 2007 by Andrew Whiteman (AW3K)
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