I've read all the articles posted about painting the outside of the taillights, but has anyone painted the inside? it seems like this would last longer and be much more durable. if painting the inside reduces visibility significantly, I may re-consider, as I really don't want to be rear ended. I would rather have ugly tail lights than a totaled car.
TIA

 

a few peeps have done it , the look isnt as dramatic and doesnt look as good but u can kinda get the same results

 

I painted some of the interior housing parts black. It looks good, but different from smoking the exterior.

 

Does anyone know if you can remove the red reflectors from inside the tails? Currently, I have my tails smoked but I'd like to put LED bulbs to replace my original, so I wouldn't need the red reflectors anymore. Has anyone opened the tails?

 

You may remove the reflectors, they're just clipped on to the housing. To pry open the TL, Just use a flathead screw driver but do it at your own risk. The TL cover might crack. I believe someone did a write up on this before (PROPS). Just do a search.

 

Just put it in the oven to soften the plastic a little (helps to prevent things from cracking and breaking) and pry the lens off with a couple screwdrivers.

You still need the reflectors if you have smoked tail lights. I've found that painting the plastic behind the reflectors black greatly improves the appearance of them.

 

I realize that I would still need the reflectors with my tails being smoked, but why would I need the reflectors if I got red LED bulb replacements? The light shining through the tail light will still be red without the reflector. I'm going for a clean look, so I'd like the ugly reflectors out because even with them smoked, you can still see the cheesy red plastic. It's pretty ****, but it's just one of those things that has been bothering me. I don't want to get aftermarket tails because I like the stock ones, just not with those damn reflectors. Has anyone had any luck cracking the plastic to get it out without opening the tails (I'm scared of putting them in the oven)? It worked like a charm for my corners, I know someone out there has tried it with the tails.

 

Here were my tails before I switched to red out tails:




Now i'm not the pioneer of this DIY but PROPS....you know who you are.

 

I assume you must have to standard white tails (like on the camo above)... you can do whatever - remove reflector, paint etc... just open them up. Everything may not be legal, but it is possible to do.

You can also open up the TYC's and remove lenses, paint etc etc etc. (see my "WWW" below - no pics of the lights painted, but there are some of them just taken apart.)

 

You could take the reflector out, but it would be illegal.

 

I thought about trying this. Red out the tail light from the inside, leave the reflectors and leave the reverse light part alone. Then came back and smoke.blackout the rings around the outside that would be white.