Painting painting center tail light!

[sanengo]

I want to paint that center tail light of my camry. My last experience with spray cans was dripping uneven and bubbly paint.

Any tips for doing this job? I have 400 800 and 1000 grit sand paper. Can anyone guide me on how to paint this thing?

Thanks

[whocares04]

search....

[sanengo]

Help me, I've tried "center tail light" "paint" "painting" paint center tail light" and all of them come with mention of painting the center tail light but no actual helpfull tips about the process.

Thanks so much for your help

[userlain]

What color are you trying to paint it?

[sanengo]

Black. Can I just sand it with 800 grit, and spray that touch up paint you buy at auto shop at the tail light? How can you minimize bubbling and dripping? Is there some other paint I should use? I don't mind if its not polished looking, but I would prefer it.

[.tony. .riot.]

I think you should prime it first.

[Eye8Pussies]

remember to wet sand

and if it's bubbling or dripping, you're doing it in WAYYYY too thick of layers....remember....thin layers....that's why as ^Tony there said...you should primer first....black primer...then your black....then clear coat....then buff like mad to get some shine....

but most importantly, wet sand between each layer

[dna59]

I tried doing it myslef with regualr spray, but it just didn't work out for me. Only thing that worked for me was krylon fusion, then I just ended up taking it to be painted. But I'm sure if you have patience you can do it yourself and it'll be good.

[sanengo]

Many thanks to you all much more helpful than the overrated search button. I will try wetsanding, primer, then sanding again, then the rest..

What is the difference between the touch up paint you buy and clearcoat?

[amerikim]

To prepare your surface is most important, wash in hot water and wipe with rubbing alcohol until you are sure no polish or oil are left. Sadpaper light and primer before paint. Paint at least 3 coats. 1 coat clear is okay, can go with two. No painting wet surfaces or over spraying,

Recommend you go junkyard and buy a spare for you to paint so you can go back if you dont like result,

[sanengo]

Thanks! how can I go about removing the center tail light? It seems to be stuck on after I removed the 5 visible bolts that were attaching it to the trunk. (3 bolts were under the fuzzy cover) Do I just need to pry it out?

[.tony. .riot.]

Originally Posted by sanengo

Thanks! how can I go about removing the center tail light? It seems to be stuck on after I removed the 5 visible bolts that were attaching it to the trunk. (3 bolts were under the fuzzy cover) Do I just need to pry it out?

I think there are about 8 bolts, so keep looking for a few more. Once you have them all, then yeah, pussh from the inside and pull from the outside. It will be pretty stiff and sticky in there because you probably have never removed it before.

[Jagwire]

hmm.. your talking about painting over your Light eh ? tight lil mod .. really add's to cuztom of ya ride.. i think i wanna do.. someeething like that to mine.. just make the light thinner.. more meaner lookin .. on a GEN 4 .. it should look tight these tips will help mez too thx

[RedPhoenix]

There are 8. Behind your latch is one, you need to take that out. just keep looking. Be careful not to break your latch. I did, I cant use the key, if i do, it makes the inside trunk release cable pop off and then I dont have a working trunk... hard to fix with my system in there.

Anyways, there are 8.

[Knailgun]

easy alternative is to get a rear piece off of an SE....I have one and no you can't have it