VHT Nightshade Removal?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
From: Alameda CA
VHT Nightshade Removal?
How do I get vht nightshade of my taillights? It was not dark enought so I got a blackout kit but when I put the kit on I found out that u cannot see any light at all in day time, cannot see signal or brake light, so now I am going to try to remove vht and just use the blackout kit, any ideas on how to get rid of them?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 234
From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I used carb & choke cleaner and it took it right off without damage to the lenses. Don't try it on lesser quality plastics like you get with aftermarket turn signals as it will melt those. Ask me how I know. :o
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Brake cleaner? Just a wild guess 
, never read the "small" print on the can whether you can use it on plastic or not, since I've only used it on brakes/rotors/calipers.
, never read the "small" print on the can whether you can use it on plastic or not, since I've only used it on brakes/rotors/calipers.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
I stripped the VHT off my side markers in about 5 minutes with 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper due to runs. Sand gently with plenty of water.
Side benefit was it also removed the raised lettering. Second attempt came out much better.
Side benefit was it also removed the raised lettering. Second attempt came out much better.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Miami Fl
Be careful with acetone or any other strong solvent, a brief exposure shouldn't do anything but leave it for a while and the acrylic will soften and dissolve. The easiest thing might be to sand it with a very fine sand paper. Starting with like 800 then sanding smooth with 2000 or 3000 grit and then a good polish with rubbing compound. I've done this to yellowed headlights and works like a charm. The main thing is being neat and careful, don't rush.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
The easiest is to take the blackout covers off and spray another coat of VHT. If it still is not dark enough spray another coat of VHT. YOu can get it so dark it is virtually opaque.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 256
From: St. Louis Missouri
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue Nebraska
LoL!!!Seems pointless and I don't understand how the VHT Nightshades was not dark enough, add another coat and that'll darken it. Issue most people have is they go too dark, and it's tougher to lighten than it is to darken.
However, seems you've already purchased another set of blackouts. So, since you've got two condoms
(LoL!), as suggested before, gently watersand the tail lights w/ a 1000-grit sand paper, using water frequently so it don't dry out.This will get rid of the Nightshades, once you've got them all sanded down, reinstall the tail lights, along w/ your new blackouts.
This will get you back as if you'd just ordered a new set of blackouts and never used Nightshades. Good Luck!
Let us know how it turns out....
~ 5ltrEATER
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 858
Likes: 3
From: Livonia Michigan
Lacquer thinner should work, also try Goof Off, it's not as strong on the plastic. I painted mine with night shades, and kept spraying additional coats. I ended up too dark, so I removed it and went with a couple if light coats instead of the dark black color. They turned out better.
