GottabeTRD's Build Thread

[4-Ripcord]

Oh yeah, I completely forgot that one was broken. haha

I really would like to see how you polish these lights. You should try to take a few in progress pics please!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

k ill do some shots, Ive been looking at some write ups on this and there are a couple youtube videos that helped me out. Basically like you were saying Ripcord; after the clear is on you gotta let it sit for a while i think at least 12 hours then you wet sand it with 1500 or 2000 grit paper, after that you use rubbing compound to polish it up. Im hoping this works lol

BTW i also tinted my 3rd brake light and it looks pretty sick! Its so hard to keep myself from wet sanding these things right now. i want it done!

 

[tmaxx13]

jared those lights look good, ya utah and its safe inspection will probably fail you for having any tint on those light, im just waiting for someone to rear end me as well so i can get new bumpers, next upgrade for me is a front shrockworks bumper, going to order it before i get home so it will be waiting for me!! ya im out teching for the summer and selling on the side to get a little extra MOD money post pics as soon as you get those things installed!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

So i got everything done, im uploading all the pics on photobucket right now be prepared... it looks bad ass!

anwyay tmaxx13 im hoping i can still pass, they;re not that dark. Plus ive had Lamin-x on my front blinkers and parking lights forever and have passed with flying colors. those are much darker than the tails.
BUt cool man i way jealous your getting that shockworks bumper, i know a shop that can get it for you. they may already have them in stock. but i was in there pricing out a lift and the guy had some kind of connections with shockworks. Its in Lindon just off of State st. so let me know and ill see if i can get an address for you. dang i want that and so much more for my truck .

 

[GottaBeTRD]

ok so ill start with the 3rd break light, since i cant afford the LED one yet i decided to give it a little tint. you can still see the light during the day and everything sois all goooood!

compared to the stock red

ok so the polishing process made me nervous but it wasn't that bad. i think if i used a better product i could get more of a gloss finish but this is what i used, 1500 grit sand paper 2000 grit sandpaper, (the round thing) then some rubbing compound

so first thing is get the 1500 grit sand paper wet with some dish soap,

nevermind the dirty sink lol but lightly scuff the light so it gets all the imperfections out, after that wet sand with the 2000 grit

then rub it down with some rubbing compound, this step you need to use some elbow grease and get into it. I also tried a mothers ball and drill on this step but get it to your liking.

After that clean it off wit a micro fiber towel and Windex and you should have a nice shine. REMEMBER i didn't do it for that long, according to this video you can get it back to a glass like shine watch towards the end. this guys is just using nightshade, which is pretty much the same as what i used
YouTube - HOW TO TINT YOUR TAIL LIGHTS WITH VHT NITESHADES (VIDEO 2 OF 2)
but here is the before and after polishing effect

after. mmmmm.. shiny

all done

 

[GottaBeTRD]

and here is what they look like on the truck. i like it :banana:

lights on, reverse lights and everything are still very bright, these things are bad A

 

[blcktpgsr]

Wow...they turned out awesome, I like how you didn't go overboard tinting them, just the right touch..good job man!:hatsoff:

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thnks man! yeah i wanted to try to keep it as legal looking as possible. i appreciate it though!

 

[4-Ripcord]

That looks great! Good job.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

thanks man! these things are so cool im pretty pumped about them!

 

[fightman80]

NICE WORK MAN! You may have just converted me! HA HA HA!

 

[michael833]

lookin' good, lookin' real good! kinda makes me want some...

you ever think about plastidipping the rear bumper cover, the license plate molding, and the spoiler to bring it all together?

 

[rickashay]

Wow...they turned out awesome, I like how you didn't go overboard tinting them, just the right touch..good job man!:hatsoff:

+1 looking good with the minimum tint!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

Thanks guys! yeah i keep going out and looking at them, im like a bug attracted to the light lol

as for plastidipping the grey, i may just have to do this, I almost would rather have a color match for the licence plate holder, but the bumper cover now that may be somehting i have to do....

 

[michael833]

also, night shot please!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

ill try to get some of those tonight,

 

[Carolinafan]

as for plastidipping the grey, i may just have to do this, I almost would rather have a color match for the licence plate holder, but the bumper cover now that may be somehting i have to do....

When you do the bumper cover make sure it is really clean and completly dry! I rushed mine and the Plastidip bubbled up in about 5 different places.:redbrick:

 

[TheDarkKnight]

This Build keeps getting better and better. Looking great. :thumb3:

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Those fit perfectly with the overall look of your 4Runner, great work man. You took the time on the tinting process and it paid off.

When I first saw your pictures I thought you were in Albuquerque, at a glance those mountains in the background look alot like the ones we have here.

 

[codyjh]

Very clean!