Here's another how-to, cept he used the hobby store tint paint.
http://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/820106.phtml

 

Here's what i did today, using testor's candy red and clear coat...

 

Looks real good on that "Polar White" squareone!! What grit sandpaper did you use and how many coats of candy red did you spray? I was thinking of canding my stock ones and then smoking them too. I've also got some TYC's I would like to smoke. I think that would look great! IMO

BTW, I know Testors makes candy paint in different colors. I've seen blue before in a hobby shop. Not sure what other colors they make though. hotbox05: A candy blue then smoked would look hot on your ride! IMO

I have also seen another way to smoke/candy. I've seen a bodyshop mix a car paint with a clear coat and paint them so they would shine through. Kind of like a custom candy/tint paint. But I don't know what mix they used. How much clear vs. paint.

 

Bat™

 

Cept from close up and then you really see it's a just a real thick sticker.

 

yeah painted tails just look better up close, my next set im going to get them clear coated professionally.....

 

Thanks for the compliment! I actually didnt sand them at all, I might do that next weekend and add some more coats, they look good without the sanding !! As for how many coats, I did 3 coats of red, and 3 coats of clear. I too noticed the other testors colors, but none of them were "transparent", so I dont think they will come out that good. I could be wrong...

 

You can also wet sand after you are done with the clear coat. I'd go with some 1500 grit or higher though. They'll look way better IMO.

 

those candied red ones look good. just always remember to clear coat. also, i have noticed that with mine, (i smoked them with hobby shop paint also) seemed to fade over time at the center of the light bulb, im gonna redo them with more clear this time and see what happens

 

for all those worried about damaging your tail lights, one word for you... EBAY.

I've seen sets selling on there for around $50 or so. I don't really like any of the aftermarket ones, so until I can get the custom ones done, I'm going to pick up a set from ebay and trash/paint those. cops around here have a hard on for anything like that (hassled me 3 times for no front plate on my cavalier), so I don't wanna push it with painted tail lights since I won't have a front plate on the box either.

 

just go to NISH designs ....custom painted and look stock from the factory..... can't beat that!!

 

i smoked mine as well
but i taped off the reflector section
cops are real hard a$$es in Texas

 

That would all depend on the install ;).

Bat™