For those with Faded (Hint Purple, Gray) Kouki Tailights - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

***Future240*** · 03-22-2011, 09:45 PM

Was going to get JDM tails, till I figured out there are the same as USDM tails they have faded into another color. Well not all the same as the side bulbs on JDM ones are different, but none the less they were all black at one time. After searching I came across this link which seems pretty interesting. Haven't tried it on my car yet, but I'm planning to. Figured I'd post it up and see what yall think.

http://tech.240sxone.com/55/s14-kouk...back-to-black/

Quote:

Ok so I wanted to buy kouki tails for my S14 since the day I brought it home. After finding what I though was a good deal on a clean set I open the box to find out they’re faded as hell… the black surrounds look Grey and almost purple in some light.
After the ’09 CIP meet and seeing nearly every set of kouki tails there looking faded to garbage it’s pretty clear that this isn’t a unique problem.
The Idea:
I’d used spay on Vinyl Die on plastics before to good success so I decided to test it out on the taillight and see how it goes. This is just generic stuff that I picked up at my local Auto parts store. It’s designed to repair or re-color interior pieces.

It goes on like spray paint but it soaks into the plastic and actually changes it’s color, the cool thing is you don’t need to sand (actually you SHOULDN’T sand) and you can’t put it on too thick either… it will just soak in more. The result is the same piece of plastic you had before, just in a different color.

The Test:
First thing I did was test it out, I wanted to use the actual plastic on the taillight, so I masked off most of the taillight and sprayed a small corner that would normally be covered up by the trunk lid and wouldn’t be seen most of the time. This was testing both how well the plastic reacted to the dye as well as how clean a masked off edge looked (since it soaks it could theoretically soak through or under the tape.

As you can see the test was a success, the plastic reacted to the dye perfectly and the masking left a nice clean edge

The Implementation:
The biggest problem would be masking off the translucent areas of the taillight where I want the light to shine through, these have curved edges and some tight corners that make it tough to mask off. to handle this I picked up a roll of pinstriping tape from my local NAPA, the smallest size I could find.
I started by cleaning off the talight with soap and water, and then rubbing it down with alcohol to take any oil and grease off of it.
Once clean I used the pin-striping tape right along the border over the translucent part. In some areas, like difficult corners I would leave a little bit of the translucent part showing, as opposed to the other way around, I would rather cover up a little bit of the light than have ugly gray borders around the lights.

Once that was done I filled in the rest with regular masking tape

Sprayed, let it dry for a few hours and pealed off the tape… HUGE improvement… it looks factory new.

Re-installation:
While not really part of the process for fixing the taillights I thought I should mention that to keep your trunk from seeping water it’s a good idea to put fresh sealant on the taillight side pieces.
Removing the old stuff was the hardest part. On the taillight I did it by simply pealing off as much as I could by hand, if you do this as soon as you remove the taillights from the car it will go easier. after that I used a big pink pencil eraser like a scraper to push off the rest of it, then used a small screw driver to scrape clean the crevices and finally wiped off any remaining residue with a shop rag and some Goo-Gone. This left clean sealant-free plastic on the back of the taillight once I was done. Removing sealant from the car was the same deal except I didn’t need to use the screw driver (I’d advise against it simply so you don’t mess up your paint).

Fresh sealant can be purchased through Nissan (Part Number: B6553-89915 ). Alternatively you can hit up your parts store and pickup some Butyl Tape sealant for windshields, it’s essentially the same stuff Nissan sells but much cheaper. I found a roll in the adhesives section at Advanced Auto Parts for $18.

The Results:
Please excuse the dusty car (it’s been in the garage for months) I could probably deal to polish the tailights too but you can see they look much much better than the ugly faded gray, especially on a black car.

lenox_240 · 03-22-2011, 09:51 PM

i personally dont have this problem but im sure sum ppl do, thx for the info either way bro, just in case this happens ima save this for sure.

dtfdanyo · 03-22-2011, 11:35 PM

i just ordered that vinyl dye for some I a set I am picking up soon, I hope it comes out that good

upsdude · 03-23-2011, 12:01 AM

hey is that vinyl good on porous plastic? you know like the dimply/rippled textured plastic you'd find on say a dashboard?

gunmetalr32 · 03-23-2011, 12:19 AM

Nice...I'm going to try this

***Future240*** · 03-23-2011, 12:11 PM

I think I will make this a weekend project when all the pollen stop falling.

blueshark123 · 03-23-2011, 02:13 PM

Yea i posted this in the kouki thread already i posted up pics of how my lights came out also

srslideways · 04-24-2011, 07:06 PM

did mine today. thanks! looks so much better

gunmetalr32 · 04-24-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srslideways

did mine today. thanks! looks so much better

Post pics. I need to do this too

***Future240*** · 04-24-2011, 08:56 PM

Did mine a few weeks ago, been meaning to get pics up.

This was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. Especially the curves. Admittedly it is not as nice as the guy I quoted.

I was personally too lazy to take the tails off to do this

Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Needs a bit of touch-up work, but I am liking the results

*fliprayzin240sx* · 04-25-2011, 07:49 AM

I was told that there are 2 different colors for the kouki tails. Only black cars had black kouki tails...everything else had the purple ones that everybody thinks is faded.

95KA-Turbo · 04-25-2011, 07:59 AM

I have a DN1 green kouki, the tail lights were much darker when I first got the car then they are now. So I'd definitely agree that they fade.

'97 S14 SE Turbo · 04-25-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fliprayzin240sx

I was told that there are 2 different colors for the kouki tails. Only black cars had black kouki tails...everything else had the purple ones that everybody thinks is faded.

I have a bridge in Florida that's for sale. Want one?

blueshark123 · 04-25-2011, 10:02 AM

I think u didnt mask them off well at all.Dont be lazy it ends up taking ur more time in the end to get good results. I wonder what a close up of them will look like

dudermagee · 04-25-2011, 10:07 AM

lol and I thought I did a bad job taping...

***Future240*** · 04-25-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueshark123

I think u didnt mask them off well at all.Dont be lazy it ends up taking ur more time in the end to get good results. I wonder what a close up of them will look like

It would like like shit probably. I spent 1.5 hours with pinstripe tape trying to get it right. Just messed up.

srslideways · 04-25-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunmetalr32

Post pics. I need to do this too

before

ixfxi · 04-26-2011, 08:43 AM

you guys realize that you wont be able to absorb or die acrylic

thats just vinyl paint, it works just like any paint except it actually adheres to plastic

without clearcoat, its subjected to the elements and will fade, peel, chip, crack, just like anything else

and i love the quick masking job some of you guys did, real classy.

Brentbohn · 04-26-2011, 08:51 AM

might as well order the led junk tails or get some zenki's if your going to ruin good ones, and I have a black 98 and the tails are a faded black but not purple, more of a dark charcoal
..... so perhaps the other post about colors is right or they fade different based on production run

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfxi

you guys realize that you wont be able to absorb or die acrylic

thats just vinyl paint, it works just like any paint except it actually adheres to plastic

without clearcoat, its subjected to the elements and will fade, peel, chip, crack, just like anything else

and i love the quick masking job some of you guys did, real classy.

***Future240*** · 04-26-2011, 08:58 AM

So Mike would you suggest adding some type of clear to it? My masking sucked but I didn't find that out till after it was done. I honestly took the time to try and mask around the edges redoing a few sections a couple of times. I just happen to suck at it lol.

dudermagee · 04-26-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future240

So Mike would you suggest adding some type of clear to it? My masking sucked but I didn't find that out till after it was done. I honestly took the time to try and mask around the edges redoing a few sections a couple of times. I just happen to suck at it lol.

could always ask the OP, he did it about a year ago, he is a mod on 240sxone.com

ixfxi · 04-27-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future240

So Mike would you suggest adding some type of clear to it? My masking sucked but I didn't find that out till after it was done. I honestly took the time to try and mask around the edges redoing a few sections a couple of times. I just happen to suck at it lol.

i would mask and paint it professionally, like any other part of the car that is plastic

this is a cheap, bottom of the barrel solution. much like when people use VHT "night shades" or "candy apple red" in a spray-can.

cannot paint plastic without going through the proper steps, none of which are found in that 5 dollar can of dreams & wishes. here is a high-cost solution we do for the clear STI tail lights:
08-XX Subaru Impreza (WRX | STI) — Full LED Tail Lights

over-priced? yup. awesome? yup. most people cant imagine spending so many hours prepping, masking and shooting paint. no worries, shitty vinyl overlays exist for people that are lazy.

sviellvoicae · 04-28-2011, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixfxi

i would mask and paint it professionally, like any other part of the car that is plastic

this is a cheap, bottom of the barrel solution. much like when people use VHT "night shades" or "candy apple red" in a spray-can.

cannot paint plastic without going through the proper steps, none of which are found in that 5 dollar can of dreams & wishes. here is a high-cost solution we do for the clear STI tail lights:
08-XX Subaru Impreza (WRX | STI) — Full LED Tail Lights

over-priced? yup. awesome? yup. most people cant imagine spending so many hours prepping, masking and shooting paint. no worries, shitty vinyl overlays exist for people that are lazy.

Im not sure if you realize that most of us own 240's here and they are nothing fancy........ Thus the way that everyone is doing is more than fine. Get over it.

95KA-Turbo · 04-28-2011, 07:01 AM

I don't see a solution posted anywhere in that link. I see pictures of lights that were painted.

You're coming across as a giant fucking douche bag for no reason. Should people do the best they can when they modify their car? Absolutely, but putting 900 dollar tail lights on a S14 is unrealistic for most S14 owners, and (in my opinion) completely fucking retarded.

That being said, the lights should be taken apart (off the car and center badge removed) and cleared to give it a more cohesive look and make it last longer.

gunmetalr32 · 04-28-2011, 12:02 PM

/\/\/\ what he said

S14kouki_10 · 04-28-2011, 12:39 PM

i like my faded tail lights. they have a hint of purple.

03-22-2011, 09:51 PM	#2
lenox_240 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: LA/I.E. Posts: 152 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	i personally dont have this problem but im sure sum ppl do, thx for the info either way bro, just in case this happens ima save this for sure. __________________

03-22-2011, 11:35 PM	#3
dtfdanyo Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 748 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	i just ordered that vinyl dye for some I a set I am picking up soon, I hope it comes out that good __________________ tEAM tUCK

04-24-2011, 07:06 PM	#8
srslideways Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orlando Age: 32 Posts: 113 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	did mine today. thanks! looks so much better __________________

04-25-2011, 07:49 AM	#11
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	I was told that there are 2 different colors for the kouki tails. Only black cars had black kouki tails...everything else had the purple ones that everybody thinks is faded. __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

04-25-2011, 07:59 AM	#12
95KA-Turbo Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: LA Age: 36 Posts: 3,402 Trader Rating: (19) Feedback Score: 19 reviews	I have a DN1 green kouki, the tail lights were much darker when I first got the car then they are now. So I'd definitely agree that they fade. __________________ Instagram - SJKnoop

03-23-2011, 12:01 AM	#4
upsdude Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fontana (the good part) Posts: 2,721 Trader Rating: (46) Rides Gallery: upsdude Feedback Score: 46 reviews	hey is that vinyl good on porous plastic? you know like the dimply/rippled textured plastic you'd find on say a dashboard?

03-23-2011, 12:19 AM	#5
gunmetalr32 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oxnard,CA Age: 34 Posts: 3,077 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	Nice...I'm going to try this

03-23-2011, 02:13 PM	#7
blueshark123 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 5,481 Trader Rating: (55) Feedback Score: 55 reviews	Yea i posted this in the kouki thread already i posted up pics of how my lights came out also

04-25-2011, 10:02 AM	#14
blueshark123 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 5,481 Trader Rating: (55) Feedback Score: 55 reviews	I think u didnt mask them off well at all.Dont be lazy it ends up taking ur more time in the end to get good results. I wonder what a close up of them will look like

04-26-2011, 08:43 AM	#18
ixfxi Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bangin on my chest Account: BANNED #fucksupreme Age: 79 Posts: 5,923 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	you guys realize that you wont be able to absorb or die acrylic thats just vinyl paint, it works just like any paint except it actually adheres to plastic without clearcoat, its subjected to the elements and will fade, peel, chip, crack, just like anything else and i love the quick masking job some of you guys did, real classy.

04-28-2011, 07:01 AM	#24
95KA-Turbo Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: LA Age: 36 Posts: 3,402 Trader Rating: (19) Feedback Score: 19 reviews	I don't see a solution posted anywhere in that link. I see pictures of lights that were painted. You're coming across as a giant fucking douche bag for no reason. Should people do the best they can when they modify their car? Absolutely, but putting 900 dollar tail lights on a S14 is unrealistic for most S14 owners, and (in my opinion) completely fucking retarded. That being said, the lights should be taken apart (off the car and center badge removed) and cleared to give it a more cohesive look and make it last longer. __________________ Instagram - SJKnoop

04-28-2011, 12:02 PM	#25
gunmetalr32 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: oxnard,CA Age: 34 Posts: 3,077 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	/\/\/\ what he said

04-28-2011, 12:39 PM	#26
S14kouki_10 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: TX Age: 30 Posts: 658 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	i like my faded tail lights. they have a hint of purple.

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