Rep Power: 0

Well, I just got my TYCs about a week back but noticed a paint chip inside of it. Being the perfectionist I am, this was unacceptable. But so was the cost of me returning the TYCs for an exchange seeing as how I bought them through eBay. So, I decided to fix it myself using my touch-up paint hoping it would match. It's close, but you can see where the paint was applied.

Anyway, I'm now thinking about repainting both lights from scratch. I've got a NBP Civic and black would go naturally, but should I try something different? Any suggestions for colors?

I've attached some pics of my disassembled TYCs.

 
Rep Power: 0

those are not my flava maybe they look better in real life but as far as the painting goes go for it as long as you take your time

 
Rep Power: 0

Look good to me.

 
Rep Power: 0

I hope ur not tryin to match ur car color with spray paint casue it's impossible......
I've tried

 
Rep Power: 0

Nope, wasn't trying to color match. I was just trying to fix some paint chips and was thinking of whether I should repaint the entire thing or not. I was considering a dark metallic paint like titanium but I had too much trouble taking off the orange reflector. I'm wondering how well I can mask it now. Might be too hard.

 
Rep Power: 583

i say go for it with the repainting...might as well if you have them open already.
seeing as you have a NBP civic, something like gunmetal might look really good, if you can find a color like that. maybe a "steel grey metalic" that BMW has.
as far as the reflector and the chrome bit you have left (the parking light im assuming or the blinker), will masking tape work? i mean just totally cover it, spraypaint it, and then touch it up with a small brush afterwards.

 
Rep Power: 0

damn that is what i was going to do. I was going to paint them the color of my car.

 
Rep Power: 0

Ace, feel free to do the same. I've still got some work to do so you might actually beat me to it.

I still have to find something to remove all the current paint. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] Sandpaper perhaps? I'll look around for something to disolve it. Like nail polish remover.

 
Rep Power: 0

The part you are painting is made of plastic, right? If so you might not want to strip the old paint with nail polish remover (acetone) because it reacts with many plastics, and can make them brittle or melt them.

 
Rep Power: 0

yeah, a steel gray color would be real nice, go for it!

 
Rep Power: 0

I'm pretty sure it's plastic. It just doesn't look like it. It's been painted with a metallic color first followed by the black. I'll have to experiment a bit. I'll borrow my friend's nail polish remover next time I'm over there but just testing it out on a small area.

What else might disolve/strip the paint safely?

 
Rep Power: 0

carb/choke cleaner, or engine bay cleaner. but put it on a cloth instead of applying it directly

 
Rep Power: 0

If i were you i'd try to clear out that amber piece on the side, but if you cant remove it without completely ruining your tyc's spray them with some smoked headlight film to cover them up. You'd be the only guy with cleared tyc's that would be sweet as heck. Good luck

 
Rep Power: 0

Nah, I'll keep my reflector the way it is. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] I actually did take them out (earlier I said I was going to mask them) but I broke it. I used some nail repair thing (it's just like super glue!) to put it back and the crack melted away.

Speaking of nail products, I tried to remove the paint with nail polish remover and it works. AND GUESS WHAT?!?! IT'S CHROME COLORED UNDERNEATH for those of you who want the chrome TYCs. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

Anyway, I'm not going to remove the paint for the other headlight. Just gonna put primer over it and get it done with.

I also bought some paint. I decided to go with the gunmetal but there were so many colors that were so close. I picked the darker one. Not sure if that was the best choice but the metallic flakes show pretty well.

 
Rep Power: 583

niiiiiiice!! post pix when youre done! closups!!

 
Rep Power: 360

So, does that orange piece come off? I'm thinking of buying them and removing the orange reflector and repainting mine Silver. Like my car, or close to it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Will post pics for sure.

Anyhow, the orange thing does come off. Just not easily. I broke one of the holding tabs on each reflector. It leaves a pretty big hole once you take it out. I'll get pics of that too. Just got to recharge some batteries first. I'm going to try to prime it tonight. Will get new pics soon.

Before I paint, I'm going to have to find some chrome paint. I ruined one of the deflectors by rubbing out the paint. [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG]