Honda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech ChatHonda Civic DIYs and Civic Tech Chat - for the true gearheads! Bring your wrench, it's time for some Honda Civic DIY projects! Questions about problems with your car do NOT go here.
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First I would like to give appropriate recognition in Viper, I followed head light DIY for part of this, and to tuningmycivic, who completed this project first and helped me along the way with mine.
Supplies Needed:
Adhesion Promoter
Black Paint-Krylon Fusion recommended
Clear coat or clear enamel
sand paper
caulk
Step 1: After removing the tail lights from the car, remove the foam seal at the back of hte lights. Now heat ur oven to approximately 225 degrees F. Heat the lights for 4-5 minutes, then remove. The lights are hot, and you may wish to allow them to cool first. However, they are much easier to separate when hot.
Pry the lens off gently with a screw driver. there are several clips around the edge that must be separated as your pull it apart. Be very careful pulling the lens off, it towards the thin corner it will snap off very easily. If it does, some clear epoxy will suffice to repair it.
Step 2: Once separated, you will need to sand all the parts of hte light htat you wish to paint. Use a high grit paper, and do it only enough to scuff hte surface. If you go too deep, you will scratch it up and the scratchs will show after you paint
Step 3: Now here you have 2 options. For my project, i taped off all the lens so that they woudl not get painted. tuningmycivic, however, removed the lens that were removable first. both of these methods have their negtaives. By taping everythign, you risk a poor tape job and getting paint on the sides of the lens. If you remove the lens you risk getting paint on the inner reflective surfaces. Your choice.
Step 4: Now for the fun part, painting. First you will want to spray on a coat of adehision promoter, just incase your scuff job wasnt enough. After that dries, move to the black. Any kind of paint for plastic should work, however I used the Krylon Fusion. Might as well go with the good stuff. Do multiple thin coats, up to 4. After these dry, 2 coats of a clear sealer go next. I used automotive clear coat, you could also use a clear enamel.
Step 5: After allwong the paint to dry for several hours, remove the tape. If you taped well, you shoudl have few problems.
Step 6: Now you will need to reseal the lenses. GET GOOD CAULK!!! That cannot be stressed enough. Run a line of caulk all around the light, and press the lens back into place. Hold it there for up to 15 minutes to ensure i good seal. Find clear caulk, there will be over run on both sides and you will be able to see it on the inside of the light.
I made the mistake of buying caulk that clears in 7 -14 days, so in the pictures youw ill see caulk on the inside of the lens. when it clears totally i will post new pictures.
Wipe off any over run onthe outside, and allow to dry for up to 24 hours. Then reinstall. You now have blacked out altezzas. Enjoy.
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Good write up! I have a pair of the carbon fiber looking ones sitting in my garage because they're garbage and leak.... I was just gonna seal them and sell them but I might try this out.
