Hey guys, just wondering how i would go about painting my 97 EK taillights all red except for the reverse light. Do i have to use brake fluid to clear out the amber, then start painting or do i just shoot on some paint?? What paint should i use? Is this really worth buying the paint and doing it, or should i just get a set of 99's?

 

i say u get a pair of cheap clear tail lites from ebay and paint that all red except the reverse...so u'll have one tone red

 

Personally I think the 99 taillights look better than the painted ones. I have had both, and I am a lot happier with the 99-00 taillights. Anyway, all you have to do is pick up some testors transparent candy apple red paint, available in Wal-Mart, and paint away. Just put some tape over the reverse lights and paint the entire light. Including the red area. Do a couple coats. Then when that is done you just spray a few coats of clearcoat. You are set. I still say get the 99's.

 

go 99-00 taillights.

trust me, i've had painted taillights too, and those are MUCH better

 

i've also heard that painted taillights don't last long. You would eventually have to reapply the paint to keep the light looking good. however, i could be wrong about this.

even so, i would go with the 99-00 taillights. its always nice to have authentic honda parts!

 

why would you do that? it makes it look like you have cheap and generic tail lights..... wouldnt you rather your car look stock than cheap? ...... if its not broke dont fix it.

 

don't do it man, don't do it.

 

I have painted my tails and they look good and stay looking good if you put some good coats of paint on them. We have also painted my friends 98 HB tails and they turned out good. This a lot cheaper then buying 99-00. We used Krlyon Stained Glass paint we got a Hobby Lobby. It has stayed red for a long time and they still look good. We also are using red bulbs too. Helps out at night but the clear bulbs look just as good but they are daker with the red bulbs. (darker red). I am the only one but I say go for it. IF you dont like them you can always take the paint off. Ohh and we didnt take the amber part out or whatever we just painted over it.

 

the way i was thinking, if i can just find a friend that has the paint i can just paint over it, and if i dont like it i can get the 99-00's. I have to get rid of these anyway so why not try just to see how it would look. Thanks for the input guys, i really appreciate it!!

 

i bought clear tail lights and painted it half red ( like the 99 -00 ones)
use candy-apple-red from the hobby shop... use many thin coats
and then lay on the clear coat really thick.. or else it'll fade really fast.
mine lasted for 2 years before it started fading..
my friend gave me his 2000 SI tail lights cuz he got some altezzas
so... my clear tail lights are for sale now.
if you live next to monterey park, CA i'll give them to you for 20 bucks.

 

I just got done painting my taillights on my eg, I think that they are sweet as hell. I just got some Testors translucent candy apple red and painted the **** out of them, I used 2 cans. Then I wet sanded them and used another 2 cans of testors clear coat paint. Then I wet sanded it and polished it out by hand. They look completely perfect, no drips or sags, no orange peel, nothing. They look completely stock and smooth as glass. Just take your time and do it right and you will be happy.

 

Every car that I've seen with painted taillights did not put out much light through all that gunk. The color of red was also closer to purple. My '99 taillights put out plenty of brakelight and are 100% legal! This really isn't an area you should be skimping in.