smoked tail lights

W

wisch79

I am wanting to try and "smoke" some tail lights on my buddies new truck. I have recleared several headlights with 2 coats of Euro and had great results, so I think this will be no problem, but have never used a candy before. I saw on the old forum where innate black candy concentrate was used. Their web page is a little tough to navigate, but I think I found what some used. Is this correct? http://www.innate.com/Paint/DIY/Kandy Kits.htm the black candy concentrate for $14.95 for 1 oz. How much do you think it will take. Is one ounce enough for a couple sets of tails? Thanks so much for helping this newb out!
 
I did not look at there website but if you were to add some black base to your clear play around with it that may work. You will only need a small amount of black base

good luck
 
Yes the black candy is right. 1oz is plenty and enough to do alot of sets. I have seen livhts where they used black base and it works if the lights are done lightly but if you want a med to dark smoke they get cloudy since it pigment and not dye.
 
Thanks Jim. Black candy it is. I had read on the old forum that black base can be tricky to pull off so I knew I wanted to use candy but thought I would check before I ordered. Do you have a general guideline that you use as far as mix ratio and number of coats. I know that you can just keep putting coats on to get the darkness, but thought if I had somewhat of a base to start with it would help. Is there a problem with too many coats? Can you go too dark with the candy?
 
Well i use rm candy so the mix i use will be different. Not sure what it would be with the dye. I try to get it to the darkness i want in 3 coats or 2 if its light.
 
Old thread but I have a question on this, do you guy just spray adhesion promoter then the candy then clear or are you attempting to lightly sand first, would be worried about seeing sand scratches but would also be worried about adhesion without.. as it is without a epoxy on the plastic I would be a little worried about doing this.
 
i completely sand the lense down to get the original scratch coating off. once its down to bare plastic i leave it with a 800 grit finish. i mix the candy into clearcoat and just spray. no base, no adhesion promoter.
 
I did the same as Jim said Sanded to 800 mixed the candy in Euro and sprayed to desired darkness. Usually 3-4 coats to get desired darkness. I did several sets a couple years ago and they were a hit. Then the local cops got on a rant about window tint and made several people remove illegal tint. I figured tail lights were next so I quit doing them as I didnt want to be associated with the "wrong" group. lol I have had several requests for them lately and the heat has died down, so I may pick it back up. I used the innate candy thats in the link above and could do several sets with just a one ounce bottle.
 
only way someone gets harassed is if they are made really dark. i never do them so they look completely black. a nice medium tint. a red taillight looks like a black cherry color. you still should be able to see whats inside when not lit. i took my truck right through our inspection station here and they didnt even think about. they almost look oem. i wont do them for someone that wants them completely black unless its on a trailer queen.
 
I use intercoat clear, adding a drop or 2 of black basecoat. Then spray light coats, checking the darkness with a small flashlight. When I get the darkness I want, clear with 2 coats (of un-tinted clear). Wet sand and buff.

Did a set recently for a friend. He wanted them dark, now he has to use extra bright led bulbs. lol, I tried to warn him.

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I use intercoat clear, adding a drop or 2 of black basecoat. Then spray light coats, checking the darkness with a small flashlight. When I get the darkness I want, clear with 2 coats (of un-tinted clear). Wet sand and buff.

Did a set recently for a friend. He wanted them dark, now he has to use extra bright led bulbs. lol, I tried to warn him.
 
I tend to stay away from this stuff, mostly because I don't like the little paint projects, I don't have the best booth and it takes half a day of clean-up to be able to paint.. not worth it for some tail lights.. But I can squeeze in little things like this while painting something else, and have a customer that has been wanting me to spray these so he can offer them as part of his business and sell them.. I should tell him to send me like 5 sets at a time to make it worth it.
 
I would definitely do a few sets at a time like you say.

I have never used the candy, but going to try it on the next. In the wanda system they have a "deep black" toner that is very blue and a little transparent. I mix that with the regular black to get the "brown" out in some intercoat and apply 2-3 coats and clear. Don't really lose the visibility even done this way.

Chad, I have not tried this in pro-spray yet, but I have noticed they have a "blue black" tint. May have to do some experimenting with it.
 
jeremy, the black candy is just the opposite. its very blue. too blue really. i have to add a drop or 2 of redgold toner to it to warm it up a bit.
 
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