Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Painted tail lights question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:47 PM
  #1  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default Painted tail lights question

I have an 01 z with black painted tail lights that I do not like so much.
My question is what is the best way to get them back to stock?
Are the lenses replaceable or do I have to get 4 new entire assemblies?

Thanks for the help
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:52 PM
  #2  
John1990's Avatar
John1990
Pro
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 696
Likes: 38
From: Niagara Falls Awesome Ends With Me
Default

If you're talking "VHT Nite Shades", I understand gasoline works to remove the stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yRPE...eature=related
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:53 PM
  #3  
BHRZ06's Avatar
BHRZ06
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill TN
Default

Originally Posted by adham
I have an 01 z with black painted tail lights that I do not like so much.
My question is what is the best way to get them back to stock?
Are the lenses replaceable or do I have to get 4 new entire assemblies?

Thanks for the help
Its a pain but you need to wet sand them with 400 to get the paint off then work your way from 800-1000-2000-3000 then polish them with compound and a polisher.

If i was in your situation id buy new ones.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:53 PM
  #4  
Jesse Asis's Avatar
Jesse Asis
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
Default

Are you sure they are not the peel on that most vettes use for black out tail lights? If it isn't, then someone sprayed it with black spray until the desired darkness. You may be able to scrub it down with thinner, but it may never look like original. Put it out on the forum for a trade, some guys love that "Hey, run into me look", and do a swap with there stock lens.. Good luck..
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:54 PM
  #5  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

Here's a pic of it now

Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:59 PM
  #6  
John1990's Avatar
John1990
Pro
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 696
Likes: 38
From: Niagara Falls Awesome Ends With Me
Default

Originally Posted by Jesse Asis
Are you sure they are not the peel on that most vettes use for black out tail lights? If it isn't, then someone sprayed it with black spray until the desired darkness. You may be able to scrub it down with thinner, but it may never look like original. Put it out on the forum for a trade, some guys love that "Hey, run into me look", and do a swap with there stock lens.. Good luck..
That's what I was thinking.

I think blacked out tail lghts look way too cool; but at the risk of sounding like a wimp, I am afraid to tint my tail lights because I don't want to get rear-ended only to find that the police said that my tails are too dark.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2011 | 11:59 PM
  #7  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

Originally Posted by John1990
If you're talking "VHT Nite Shades", I understand gasoline works to remove the stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yRPE...eature=related
It could very well be that,
I'll give it a try.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:02 AM
  #8  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

Originally Posted by Jesse Asis
Are you sure they are not the peel on that most vettes use for black out tail lights? If it isn't, then someone sprayed it with black spray until the desired darkness. You may be able to scrub it down with thinner, but it may never look like original. Put it out on the forum for a trade, some guys love that "Hey, run into me look", and do a swap with there stock lens.. Good luck..
Yeah they're definitely spray painted, no peel on stuff unfortunately.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:07 AM
  #9  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

Originally Posted by BHRZ06
Its a pain but you need to wet sand them with 400 to get the paint off then work your way from 800-1000-2000-3000 then polish them with compound and a polisher.

If i was in your situation id buy new ones.
I was actually thinking about wet sanding them.
I would try to trade them but I don't think anyone would want them because they don't look so good in person
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:07 AM
  #10  
Jesse Asis's Avatar
Jesse Asis
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
Default

Yea, I know I don't give tickets for that, unless they fail the attitude test with me. I do inform the driver that if he/she is rear ended cause of it (per police report from the person who hit you of course), and his insuranace claim adjustor see's the tail lights are darken out, well let's start singing, you'd better be "IN the money".. It is a tough line to walk to be cool and or un-injured.. I perfer the later...

Not to mention the Officer taking the report looks and see's your tail lights are darker, when they do show up (if injuries), oh boy, the vette owner is digging his own "COOL" grave...
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:12 AM
  #11  
ZFLASH's Avatar
ZFLASH
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 146
From: Houston Republic of Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14, '16
Default

Put them in f/s section for trade and I bet you'll get rid of them quick. Save yourself a lot of labor and time, if you don't have the time, buy new ones and sale these to recuperate your cost. L8R ZFLASH
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:15 AM
  #12  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

Thanks for everyone's input
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:17 AM
  #13  
Jesse Asis's Avatar
Jesse Asis
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
Default

Adham, that dude is an idiot. Please I hope he doesn't have a water heater at ground level in the garage, and I bet he throws the gas soak t-shirt into a bin in his garage with other rags. Now our forum members clean their lens, only to blow up their garage or set fire to it and burn down the house on top of that clear tail light lense C5 corvette.. wooow... I just had to comment on that vid... I just had to say something, my neighbor did that 4 years ago (cleaning a motorcycle carb in gas in his garage, then his wife called him in for dinner, so he closed his garage door went in to eat) 1 hour later his garage blew up and set fire to his garage, car, cable to the light post and then transformer.. We had 4th of July in Sept. on my block... funny stuff for sure.
thanks for the laughter..
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:22 AM
  #14  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

Originally Posted by Jesse Asis
Adham, that dude is an idiot. Please I hope he doesn't have a water heater at ground level in the garage, and I bet he throws the gas soak t-shirt into a bin in his garage with other rags. Now our forum members clean their lens, only to blow up their garage or set fire to it and burn down the house on top of that clear tail light lense C5 corvette.. wooow... I just had to comment on that vid... I just had to say something, my neighbor did that 4 years ago (cleaning a motorcycle carb in gas in his garage, then his wife called him in for dinner, so he closed his garage door went in to eat) 1 hour later his garage blew up and set fire to his garage, car, cable to the light post and then transformer.. We had 4th of July in Sept. on my block... funny stuff for sure.
thanks for the laughter..
now that you mention that, maybe I won't try it
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:37 AM
  #15  
John1990's Avatar
John1990
Pro
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 696
Likes: 38
From: Niagara Falls Awesome Ends With Me
Default

Actually, a good idea.

Sell your lights in classified. (someone will probably buy them right away). Advertise them as being already conveniently tinted for those looking for that blacked out look.

Then, with the money you get, go buy LED tails from Corvette Mods Inc.

Suerte

Last edited by John1990; Aug 23, 2011 at 12:41 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:40 AM
  #16  
John1990's Avatar
John1990
Pro
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 696
Likes: 38
From: Niagara Falls Awesome Ends With Me
Default

Originally Posted by Jesse Asis
Yea, I know I don't give tickets for that, unless they fail the attitude test with me. I do inform the driver that if he/she is rear ended cause of it (per police report from the person who hit you of course), and his insuranace claim adjustor see's the tail lights are darken out, well let's start singing, you'd better be "IN the money".. It is a tough line to walk to be cool and or un-injured.. I perfer the later...

Not to mention the Officer taking the report looks and see's your tail lights are darker, when they do show up (if injuries), oh boy, the vette owner is digging his own "COOL" grave...
So, okay, sounds like you're telling me that I shouldn't feel like a wus for not tinting my tails.

Okay, I feel better now.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 12:54 AM
  #17  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

If I were to sell these and get new ones, would I buy new lenses only or the whole assembly? I'm looking online and see people selling used lenses. How on earth do you separate it from the dome thing without breaking it?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Painted tail lights question

Old Aug 23, 2011 | 01:01 AM
  #18  
Jistari's Avatar
Jistari
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Default

The are sealed units. Two screws and they pop right out (the red part you see from the outside and the rear part are sealed together).

Me personaly, Id think about getting the halo led's (have em...love em) but if thats more than you wanted to spend, there's gotta be sets of oem lights on ebay from people changing them. Probably easier than trying to strip those.
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 01:03 AM
  #19  
andy46's Avatar
andy46
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: british columbia
Default

Originally Posted by Jesse Asis
Adham, that dude is an idiot. Please I hope he doesn't have a water heater at ground level in the garage, and I bet he throws the gas soak t-shirt into a bin in his garage with other rags. Now our forum members clean their lens, only to blow up their garage or set fire to it and burn down the house on top of that clear tail light lense C5 corvette.. wooow... I just had to comment on that vid... I just had to say something, my neighbor did that 4 years ago (cleaning a motorcycle carb in gas in his garage, then his wife called him in for dinner, so he closed his garage door went in to eat) 1 hour later his garage blew up and set fire to his garage, car, cable to the light post and then transformer.. We had 4th of July in Sept. on my block... funny stuff for sure.
thanks for the laughter..

Seriously stupid to use gas to clean anything, aside from the obvious there lots of other stuff that will probably work just fine, try bug and tar remover, that stuff takes just about everything off!
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2011 | 01:12 AM
  #20  
adham's Avatar
adham
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Default

Originally Posted by Jistari
The are sealed units. Two screws and they pop right out (the red part you see from the outside and the rear part are sealed together).

Me personaly, Id think about getting the halo led's (have em...love em) but if thats more than you wanted to spend, there's gotta be sets of oem lights on ebay from people changing them. Probably easier than trying to strip those.
That's exactly what I thought, they're sealed.
On ebay, they're selling the lens separate from the rear part. Do they bake it or something to get the sealant warm and separate it like that?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:00 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE