Visual improvements (I hope)! *pics*
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: AZ
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I finally got around to fixing my taillights.The prior owner sprayed them red, and there were flaws.
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000989.jpg)
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000988.jpg)
I removed the tails and began wiping them off with heavy duty paper towels soaked in paint thinner. After 20 minutes of work I had removed no more than a couple square inches of the red paint. After some deliberation I decided to try acetone. Acetone washed the paint off effortlessly. I was concerned about damaging the plastic of the taillight so I quickly rinsed with water after each application. Now my taillights are their beautiful stock selves again.
I also decided it was high time I did something with my emblems. The gold was very faded on the L up front:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000985.jpg)
And really I was tired of gold. I went to Ace and looked for some paint and couldn't find anything suitable. I then went to a hobby store next to the Ace and bought a can of gunmetal Tamiya model paint after taking the can out to my car to compare the cap to my wheels. It was a good match.
The grille is removed in this pic for modification.
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000997.jpg)
So here is the before:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/01.jpg)
After paint removal:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/02.jpg)
With painted emblems:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/03.jpg)
My next project will be to open up the tails, paint the back black and make the chrome gunmetal. That should make it look nice and clean.
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000989.jpg)
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000988.jpg)
I removed the tails and began wiping them off with heavy duty paper towels soaked in paint thinner. After 20 minutes of work I had removed no more than a couple square inches of the red paint. After some deliberation I decided to try acetone. Acetone washed the paint off effortlessly. I was concerned about damaging the plastic of the taillight so I quickly rinsed with water after each application. Now my taillights are their beautiful stock selves again.
I also decided it was high time I did something with my emblems. The gold was very faded on the L up front:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000985.jpg)
And really I was tired of gold. I went to Ace and looked for some paint and couldn't find anything suitable. I then went to a hobby store next to the Ace and bought a can of gunmetal Tamiya model paint after taking the can out to my car to compare the cap to my wheels. It was a good match.
The grille is removed in this pic for modification.
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000997.jpg)
So here is the before:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/01.jpg)
After paint removal:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/02.jpg)
With painted emblems:
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/03.jpg)
My next project will be to open up the tails, paint the back black and make the chrome gunmetal. That should make it look nice and clean.
![](http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/HEWJ/P1000995.jpg)
#7
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: AZ
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
#10
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: AZ
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My buddy removed it, I'm not sure I could have done it with my meaty hands and sausage fingers. He opened up the engine bay, and reached inside to remove the 3 bolts that hold it on. There is also a clip that must be released, then you can pull the grille forward and out.