Whiteknight08 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) So I decided to paint the chrome of my tail lights black, because I wanted the look of the Sport lights without paying 160.00 per light. Here is a little DIY. Tools Needed: -Flat head screw driver -RTV Silicone sealant -Oven -Star looking screw driver -Painters tape Okay, so I Pre heated my oven a little to high . (320 for 15 min- DO NOT DO) I would recommend 250-270 degrees and work from there. First I did about 15 min.....a bit too long.......so say 6-10 min to start. Obviously take the light off of the SUV. Place it on a cookie sheet, while oven is pre heating. Once oven is ready, stick the light in and set the timer. (10 min) As it cooks, get your supplies ready if you have not done so. Take light out and place it on a table or counter. (work space)....here you can turn the oven off if you want to let it cool a bit. Let the light cool for a minute so you don't start warping the hot plastic. Once its cool to the touch take flat head screw driver and start at the top. Work your way around twisting the screwdriver. You will hear some popping and cracking. That's just the glue separating from the light. Don't freak out. Side note: If the glue is not separating PLEASE put the light back in the oven for a couple of minutes, while the oven is cooling. Dont want to crack the plastic. Once the cover is off, you can now flip over the light to the back. There is three (3) star shaped screws that need to be removed. Unscrew them and place them in a safe place. Now take the chrome insert and start taping the areas you dont want painted. I used a utility knife to get as close as i could to the edges. Now you are ready to paint. I used Plast Dip, because I like how it adheres to plastic, and can be removed if you mess up. Also I painted my lights in the basement, not the best idea if you live with other people. IE your wife : / For plasit dip i applied my first coat about 50%, just to let the paint stick to the chrome plastic. waited 15-20 between coats and applied second coat. This coat was about 80% coverage. Third and fourth were 100%. I would recommend at least 4 coats for good coverage. Silicone time: Once you are done painting and fixing your mess ups. Its time to take the tape off and apply the silicone. Im using clear silicone, there are alot of other brands and types so its really personal preference. Cut the top to desired bead and apply it to the edge of the actual light. not the lens. I followed the original glue pattern. Push clear lens and light together so they become as one. Ill post pictures later as i am writing this as my paint is drying Edited February 6, 2014 by Whiteknight08 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Thanks for the writeup. Great results, can't wait to see them on-car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteknight08 Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 (edited) Pictures as requested Dont do 320 degrees for 15-20 min or you will warp the F%$k out of the plastic like i did. Now I have to live with it for as long as I own the Edge. FML Edited February 6, 2014 by Whiteknight08 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted February 6, 2014 Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 Definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Sad about the cost of the learning curve tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteknight08 Posted February 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2014 (edited) Just lean from my mistakes and you are golden!!!! If I dont care for them anymore, ill just have to bite the bullet and spend the money on OEM Sport ones. Edited February 6, 2014 by Whiteknight08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Fitts Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 What about going around the edge of the light with a heat gun? How long does anyone think that will take? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc300c Posted February 7, 2014 Report Share Posted February 7, 2014 Never use a heat gun! Only the oven method. No more than 260 degrees for 8-10. Then slowly work open the lens. When the lamp cools, stick it back into the one for 5 minutes and continue prying. Key is to keep the lamp warm and taking your time. We are actually developing a blacked out reflector version of our EDGE LED taillight. I'm hoping to have a prototype finished in a couple of weeks. I'll post a picture here when it's finished. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cellbine Posted February 8, 2014 Report Share Posted February 8, 2014 I really like the Black look as opposed to the chrome. Looks great. Thanks for the write up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briandye Posted March 31, 2014 Report Share Posted March 31, 2014 I wanna try this so bad, but I scarred myself when I tried this on a pair of expensive aftermarket Explorer taillights I had, broke the taillight and couldnt order just one side! I might have to try it though, as I HATE the chrome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kptrulee Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 I was nervous the first time I did this to a pair of headlights a couple years back. It is very easy. Just heat oven to 250 degrees, and work slowly. Like kc300c said, keeping the headlights warm is key to tearing them apart. Also I would recommend using butyl tape/ribbon sealer to seal the headlights back up. It gives you a better seal and will be easier to take the lights apart if needed in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PartsPaul Posted April 3, 2014 Report Share Posted April 3, 2014 WhiteKnight, I love the tag frame. Reminds me of the bumper sticker I had years ago " I brake for tailgaters! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteknight08 Posted April 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2014 Yeah the ILDS is mostly people who like to dress up their vehicles in their own way and Lowered vehicles. http://ilovedrivingslow.com/http:/ilovedrivingslow.bigcartel.com/ilds 'Driving slow is a lifestyle. It's the way you drive, the way you dress and carry yourself. Most importantly the way you dress your car.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NKopp83 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 I had been wanting to try this, so I finally did! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Very nice! Did you also take the housing apart & paint? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NKopp83 Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Yup! Was scary lol! I did 230 degrees for 8 min then re heated when it would cool for 4 min at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Yeah, I bet! I would have to find and use a cheap, non-household oven to do this, maybe in the garage or outdoors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soUNTOUCHABLE Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 I really wish i could see the images from OP, none of them will load though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadgetjq Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 3 hours ago, soUNTOUCHABLE said: I really wish i could see the images from OP, none of them will load though. The photos were posted in early 2014, around the time PhotoBucket started locking out pics shared on forums. The OP might also have removed them from that service by now. Try connecting with WhiteKnight08 directly to see if that user still has the pics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted October 17, 2019 Report Share Posted October 17, 2019 PM me if you are unable to connect with OP. I might have the pics, tho they will not be original quality of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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