Toyed with the Zenki tails today..what do you guys think?

[new2sr20]

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/240tailsrear.jpg

not finished yet, still have to buff the clear..

[fliprayzin240sx]

Am I missing something? Looks just like every other stock tail lights I've seen...

[new2sr20]

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/240drtail.jpg

sorry, the red reflector was re-sprayed with red night shade, the outline was done with black night shade, then the whole tail lamp was cleared with automotive clear and a hplv gun. still have not buffed.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Did you do the same thing for the middle? I dont know if its just the camera angle but the middle look orangey now, compared to the red on the tails.

[new2sr20]

the middle reflectors were not re-sprayed red. The area surrounding the reflectors has been sprayed with black night shade. The reflector on the center is lighter then the reflector on the corner.

[new2sr20]

The reflection off the center garnish is also making the reflector on it look WAY lighter then it is compared to the corner

[EsChassisLove]

Yea not seeing a difference.

[Memberofthe600hpkaclub]

Look is the same...more of a pretty good refresh

[new2sr20]

the biggest difference is that the zenki tails are completely red. the surrounding of the reflectors are dark red. I just made that area black, then resprayed the red reflector and cleared to bring it up to date.

A refresh indeed....

[drscooper]

makes no sense what so ever. but okey dokie buddy!

[new2sr20]

How does it make no sense??

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/209/lefttailight1.jpg

thats the tail light before, see the dark red around the reflectors..I repainted it black then cleared the tail light..

not hard to figure out is it...

[jr_ss]

There is a difference, but his angle doesn't show it well. Perhaps you should do a before and after shot so people can compare rather than just look at a completed light.

[silviaks2nr]

looks good but why not just get kouki taillights? You should ditch the nissan and dealer trunk badges next!

[new2sr20]

JR_SS- Working on it now, I will have a few better pics up in just a moment

[new2sr20]

looks good but why not just get kouki taillights? You should ditch the nissan and dealer trunk badges next!

I will eventually get the LED kouki style tails. Its just not a priority yet. I wanted to toy with these and see how it would look if they were black on the outsides like the Kouki instead of the dark red.

I actually have another wingless trunk that I will be putting on once the car comes back from the paint shop. It has no badges.

[zooopreme]

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/240tailsrear.jpg

not finished yet, still have to buff the clear..

http://www.web-nine.com/albums/eBay/zenki_tails.jpg

Darker red for the sides? And where it was once a dark shade of maroon/burgundy (?) is now black?

[new2sr20]

yes.

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/FinishedTailLight.jpg

[new2sr20]

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/ZenkiRightTailLight.jpg

[new2sr20]

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/Tailsreardriver.jpg

[zooopreme]

Looks good, planning on making this thread a write up on how you did it? I'm sure some Zenki bros would appreciate it so that they can give a try.

[new2sr20]

Looks good, planning on making this thread a write up on how you did it? I'm sure some Zenki bros would appreciate it so that they can give a try.

I wouldnt mind doing that at all, if the Zilvia moderators have nothing against it of course.

[zooopreme]

^Just use this thread instead of making a new one & you should be straight.

[new2sr20]

will do. I will actually start getting some photos together now and start on it for you guys.

This is my second 240, and my first Zenki. The goal is to keep the car as factory as possible, but update and preserve the car to today's standards. Since its not a car I hardly ever drive, I just want to keep it in best shape possible. There are a ton of parts in my garage that still need to go on the car. Wish I had more time...

[jr_ss]

I think I would've left that side reflector visible. There is a light bulb in there after all.

[new2sr20]

I think I would've left that side reflector visible. There is a light bulb in there after all.

I agree, I didnt think about it at the time of doing the driver side, so I just did the pass. side the same. I have another set of tails, I will leave the side reflector visible on them.

[new2sr20]

Materials Needed:

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/MaskingTape.jpg

For those who want to keep the small side reflectors visible, I would recommend picking up a roll of narrow pin stripe in order to mask the small reflector. An area that small will be much easier to outline and mask with pin stripe.

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/ShadesRed.jpg

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/ShadesBlack.jpg

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/clearcoat2.jpg

Or, if you have a access to a HPLV paint gun, use a good automotive clear. It will be easier to buff if you want a finer finish, and it may last longer.

And, of course, you will need a set of Zenki tail lamps.

I started on the side lights first. Clean the tail lights with alcohol or automotive cleaning solution, tack cloth is also a good cleaning tool if you have one handy. Mask over the YELLOW reflector. Paint the red reflector with the red nightshade paint. I did one pass of paint. Also, it is easier to do both tail lights at the same time. This will make it easier to get the same amount of paint on both which will make it evenly tinted.

Here is what the red reflector of the tail light looks painted and masked..

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/FreshlyPaintedTailLight.jpg

Make sure to ALWAYS remove the masking tape right after spraying the paint. It is more likely that once you pull the tape off AFTER the paint dries, it will pull some of the paint off with it.

After the red paint has dried, mask off the painted RED, and YELLOW reflector away from the rest of the burgundy tail light. Make sure to take your time and mask it evenly.

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/Masking.jpg

After masking, paint the rest of the unmasked with the BLACK nightshades. Let dry.

After the tail lights have dried, set them to the side, do not clear them yet.

Grab the CENTER tail light section which mounts to the trunk. Mask the reflectors away from the rest of the tail light, remove the Nissan emblem and paint the garnish with BLACK night shades. Allow to dry. It should look like this afterword.

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/CenterGarnishPainted.jpg

Allow for everything to dry. Take your clear coat and spray everything with a even, thin coat of clear. Let dry for 10 minutes. Repeat once more. Then, spray the tail light with a heavier coat of clear.

Allow, for all the lights to dry well before handling. Mount and see how your work turned out.

If you want to buff the tail lights, wait a week for the paint to cure well.

should look like this when done...


http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b495/aelucky83/ZenkiRightTailLight.jpg

[240SXK]

I'll be doing this for sure. i hate how disgustingly my tail lights stand out on my black zenki.

[ixfxi]

John roberts
i-24 nissan exit 114
manchester, tn

[new2sr20]

your ability to read is astonishing..please do more.

[Twinkies!]

that looks good, i can see the differnce

[drscooper]

there is already a lighting thread? why not add to that one? just throwing it out there home boyyyyyyyy.....

[new2sr20]

Are you asking me? Because I don't know if there is or not. I can't add to a thread I don't know exists..

[drscooper]

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/462293-lets-see-some-light-definitive-lighting-thread.html

^^

not trying to flame or crap on thread, just saying man, people might enjoy it more there and like it...

[nismoracingsx]

Not a fan of the 2 different reds being on the tails, but I've seen the black outline before and have always liked it.

[Nizzan4u2nv]

I like the center, dont like the outers. That night shade black would probably work good for those with purple kouki taillights.

[yaldizzle]

dude, the black around the red looks sick! i will definitely be doing this to my zenki tails. thanks man

[new2sr20]

Thanks guys

[KOUKIboy]

I see a difference kinda lol, can you post a pic of the rear of your car in the sunlight??? maybe it will become clearer....

[Zero-Offset]

John roberts
i-24 nissan exit 114
manchester, tn

your allusion was not lost, friend.


http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdd2tdeaQK1ryoqt2o1_1280.jpg