Anyone every made an opaque from solid & lacquer?

[Hallsy]

I want to make an opaque red. I have some AG2 and some lacquer, can I just mix a small amount of the AG2 with the lacquer, then add activator/lacquer as normal?

Will it work OK?

[LK Drifter]

Yeah mate, It does work. Some colours do require tinted lacquer.

[Hallsy]

Ok cheers, what sort of percentage would I be looking at for the colour in lacquer? I just want to do my rear lights and don't want to use that shite tint spray.

[LK Drifter]

You would be better off putting about 30% lacquer into your solid colour, activating it and trying it out on something, and go from there mate.

[Smart-Tech]

Tinted lacquer is created by adding compatible base tints to clearcoat. Compatible paints can be used but most have opacity additives. Usually mixed at less than 1% tint added to clear. I wouldn't reccomend painting lenses. It will flake off without preparation and adhesion promoters. Also remember lights are MOTable and if they have been altered may well fail the test. Not the best idea to start painting lights.

[Hallsy]

Cheers Rob, didn't want to tint them out as such, just lightly tint the orange indicator lense to match the rest of the light. I would've made sure that the bulbs still flashed orange.

So basically 2K solid in lacquer won't give the best results anyway?

As for adhesion, I had thought about that. Would it not be enough to key the lens up wth say 1200/1500, or would it show scratching in the lacquer?

[Smart-Tech]

Cheers Rob, didn't want to tint them out as such, just lightly tint the orange indicator lense to match the rest of the light. I would've made sure that the bulbs still flashed orange.

So basically 2K solid in lacquer won't give the best results anyway?

As for adhesion, I had thought about that. Would it not be enough to key the lens up wth say 1200/1500, or would it show scratching in the lacquer?
Lenses are usually polycarboate or acrylic. Either material requires keying with soft scotch then finishing with a suitable paint. I would not use any automotive paint as the solvents will affect the materials causing them to become brittle.

[LK Drifter]

Every car I've ever painted useing tinted clear coat has had alot more than 1% tint, And I've also tinted clear useing 2k solid loads of times.
Painting light lenses is a piece off p*ss, quick grey scotch, bit of plastic primer or adhesion aid and jobs a good'en.

[Hallsy]

Can you get a clear plastic primer or adhesion aid then?

If it's that much hassle then maybe I'll just use some of the off the shelf tint stuff, but was hoping for better quality.

[LK Drifter]

You can get clear plastic primer and adhesion aid, we've got loads of it.
Honestly mate, Painting clear plastic with tinted clear coat will be fine as long as you prep it correctly.
I've painted the reverse light panel on the rear of S13's with 2k loads of times and have never had one flake off or go brittle.

[Smart-Tech]

You can get clear plastic primer and adhesion aid, we've got loads of it.
Honestly mate, Painting clear plastic with tinted clear coat will be fine as long as you prep it correctly.
I've painted the reverse light panel on the rear of S13's with 2k loads of times and have never had one flake off or go brittle.
Dupont reccomend 40% addition to clear to give coloured clear. You can buy tints for colouring clears at 1%. I have been around paintwork for over 20 years and can honestly say that I have stated fact. I have seen numerous efforts to do this and over time it either falls off or causes the lenses to craze and become brittle. Either way you are altering the manufacturers spec. Buy a set of Kouki clears instead with tinted bulbs. Autostyling is one thing but it don't make it right or legal.

[SteveCarter200]

I just used red tint sparay on mine and it came out fine. Have to be a bit careful with the amount you put on though, too much and it goes mega red, too little and it comes out with a matt finish.

Ive noticed that over time (was 2 or 3 years ago I sprayed them) that the n/s light has faded back to orange, probably something to do with the exhaust gas I guess.

[Hallsy]

Fair enough chaps :thumbs:

Oh and Rob, as for Koukis, next time I see a genuine set for sale I will be buying them ;)

[tinnysteve]

did this to my s13 the way you are asking about
steve