Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ

Tinted lenses

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 28, 2010 | 10:59 PM
  #1  
no rdplz's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 25
From: Virginia Beach by way of Michigan
Default Tinted lenses

So, decided to try out the VHT Nightshades stuff on my taillight housings, third brake light, front side markers, and the front blinker covers. I must say I'm pretty impressed. I did 2 coats of the VHT and then 1 clearcoat. Allowing for proper dry time in between coats made it take about 2 1/2 hours all together. I wanted to try something different and leave the reverse light section clean though. I figure I can always shade it if I want, but I wanted to hear everyone's .02 first. I think they'll look better once the Jeep's washed having the black side trim as accents.
Attached Images     
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 12:10 AM
  #2  
iwheeljeepxj's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0
Default

just a question how much did this end up coasting you?
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 12:33 AM
  #3  
no rdplz's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 25
From: Virginia Beach by way of Michigan
Default

about $19 and 2 1/2 hours of time.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 12:52 AM
  #4  
iwheeljeepxj's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0
Default

it's hard to tell but are they still a little milky? i wanna say ok lets try it this way r they not as glossy as u thought they would be?

if this being true then take some wetodry sand paper and wet sand the lights. not a lot just to were it looks smoother and u'll be able to tell after u wet sand it. and then take some rubbing compound and apply that as directed. this should give them a nice glossy look.

i'm not trying to be rude here or hyjack or anything just trying to help people out i have about 6 sets of lights under my belt and this same look can be done with cheap flat black spray paint from wall-mart.

and the reason i asked how much u spent is because i'm always looking for a cheaper way of doing it for customers.

ohh and for the reason why you posted this. looks good. i like the way it looks and it looks like u did a good job.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 01:02 AM
  #5  
no rdplz's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 25
From: Virginia Beach by way of Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by iwheeljeepxj
it's hard to tell but are they still a little milky? i wanna say ok lets try it this way r they not as glossy as u thought they would be?

if this being true then take some wetodry sand paper and wet sand the lights. not a lot just to were it looks smoother and u'll be able to tell after u wet sand it. and then take some rubbing compound and apply that as directed. this should give them a nice glossy look.

i'm not trying to be rude here or hyjack or anything just trying to help people out i have about 6 sets of lights under my belt and this same look can be done with cheap flat black spray paint from wall-mart.

and the reason i asked how much u spent is because i'm always looking for a cheaper way of doing it for customers.

ohh and for the reason why you posted this. looks good. i like the way it looks and it looks like u did a good job.
Thanks for the compliment! They actually do have a nice gloss to them after putting on a clearcoat but the picture doesn't show it with it being cloudy a the time. I did wet send them before clearcoating and it did make a big difference.

you could do the cheap stuff from wally-world but you gotta be careful to not go too thick. I did 2 coats (1 coat consisting of 3 passes) and you can still see a small amount of red and orange when the sunlight hits. I wanted more of a dark smoked look rather than blacked out and it worked well. I could easily go full black with one more coat though. $19 was for the VHT, clearcoat, and wet paper by the way.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 01:18 AM
  #6  
iwheeljeepxj's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0
Default

yea i normally hit it's with three coats wit just spay paint. and that isn't a bad price then. the key is a light mist for coats.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 12:44 PM
  #7  
Dark Foot Stompin's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: CT
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 High Output
Default

Great job, I've been wanting to do this on my blacked out jeep. Where did you pick up all your supplies?
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 05:03 PM
  #8  
no rdplz's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,482
Likes: 25
From: Virginia Beach by way of Michigan
Default

Thanks! Got it all from pepboys. most auto parts (autozone, advance auto) stores carry it all.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 05:10 PM
  #9  
xj_maniac_newb's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
Default

any of you guys got a pic of a 84-96 cherokee with blacked out corners and rears?

dont mean to thread jack, just figured it would be nice to have both in one thread, and BTW looks great
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 05:13 PM
  #10  
Parker 98 XJ's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Hey man i really like thoes taillights
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 05:27 PM
  #11  
halmotors's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Sutton, New Hampshire
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

One of the best ways to accomplish this, if you want long-life, no fade and no chipping, is to take your taillights to a body shop and have them mix a little black in with some clearcoat and spray it. You get the tint, plus long life.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 10:43 PM
  #12  
iwheeljeepxj's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6.0
Default

Originally Posted by halmotors
One of the best ways to accomplish this, if you want long-life, no fade and no chipping, is to take your taillights to a body shop and have them mix a little black in with some clearcoat and spray it. You get the tint, plus long life.
thats no fun. that means you can't do it your self. it's fun to just spend a day painting things.

and for the person who wants to see them on an older cherkee i plan on doing mine wen. or thus. now that there no snow on the ground.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2010 | 11:31 PM
  #13  
96_xj's Avatar
Honorary Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,135
Likes: 16
From: Gilbert AZ/Las Cruces NM
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 upgraded
Default

i JUST painted mine. i will let you know how they turn out once they dry =]



Nice looking jeep man! i love factory bull bar
Attached Images   

Last edited by 96_xj; Mar 29, 2010 at 11:43 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2010 | 07:00 AM
  #14  
halmotors's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: Sutton, New Hampshire
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by iwheeljeepxj
thats no fun. that means you can't do it your self. it's fun to just spend a day painting things.
No, but it means they'll last a lot longer and end up costing you less in the long-run.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2010 | 04:17 PM
  #15  
96_xj's Avatar
Honorary Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,135
Likes: 16
From: Gilbert AZ/Las Cruces NM
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 upgraded
Default

well i got them finished up i am very pleased with the results. i will wet sand them once they are fully cured (but because of school maybe some time next week). i did 2 passes. 1 to where it changed the color and then second to go over it again. the lenses still are visible from a distance when the lights are on. i will do the marker lenses when i get a new passenger one in.... gotta love idiot birds..(flew head first into it)




i dont mean to thread jack either....
Attached Images   
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:36 AM.