How-To Clear Coat Over VHT Nightshades

[@jons2364]

I used all the steps in this video 5 years ago to do a few friends and my own tails. They all came out absolutely amazing. I got lead back to this video today because i was looking for a refresher since I'm finally going to refinish mine. Following this awesome video will get you good results, my tails lasted 5 years in AZ sun and even then they still look pretty good just slightly faded. KZbin is full of a lot of dumb*ss what not to do videos, this is not one of them. Thank you Sir for the time you spent making this for all of us.

[@UWISHPROD]

Thank you for your support and glad it all worked out. Best comment ever.

[@So0nerMag1c]

mattay finish haha

[@UWISHPROD]

Wanted to add a little humor for the trolls.

[@thomasberry8012]

Just Us Sure man. Surre you did.

[@haydenhembree7015]

Thomas Berry surray😂

[@asdf12347109]

its french

[@hectorlorenzo6662]

I have never watched a youtube commercial without hitting skip but your video has been so helpful I just did ! Thanks man

[@UWISHPROD]

Thank you. Glad the video could help you.

[@alexchulzhanov]

In the process of doing this to my Mazdaspeed right now, except I used VHT red tint. Looks great so far! Excellent advice and very clear instruction.

[@UWISHPROD]

Awesome car, handles like shit and hood weighs more than car, but still good car. Glad the vid helped

[@alexchulzhanov]

Just Us Mine whips around corners, dunno what you’re talking about! Turned out fantastic btw.

[@JK-zl7vv]

There was this guy I met, that painted custom cars, his paint jobs looked like he put 20 layers of clear, they were deep looking and wet shinny looking, I asked him how he made his paint jobs look so amazing, he said the secret is to wet sand the clear coat between every coat he put down, he said that is how you get that very deep and very smooth wet looking paint jobs. Just thought I would pass that on to your viewers 🤠👍

[@tarynbrent1]

Great video. There's a lot of nonsense when you go searching for how to's online but this answered several questions! Many thanks!

[@Goaty-nb3wg]

I watched this video 6 years ago on my first car, a 2000 mustang. The tint came out perfect and even 5 years after driving it, it still looked brand new and perfect. I sold that car almost 2 years ago and now i searched for this video again for my new car. I think it's really cool that all these years later and yours is still the best video on this subject. I saw @Jon S had commented his story which was almost exactly like mine lol small world. Anyways, this video is awesome. Thanks for the help all these years, stay safe

[@UWISHPROD]

Thank you!

[@GaryWalton89]

Best video on nightshade I have seen. Thanks for the vid!

[@rkiingz437]

Been searchin every where for a legit vid on making the VHT tint a very clean gloss finish. Great work man! Can't wait to do mines!

[@UWISHPROD]

Glad I could help

[@mkvB58KING]

Awesome tutorial! Still helpful 8 years later.

[@UWISHPROD]

Thank you

[@kennyyork6886]

Finally someone that knows what they're doing polishing Tinted Tail Lights.... Thanks for the video

[@UWISHPROD]

+Kenneth York Cause I am awesome...and I know what car people want, since I am one myself. Thanks

[@kennyyork6886]

+Kenneth York what type of foam or stage did you use to polish?

[@Rufus_Golden_Retriever]

I used both of your tutorials. They Rear taillight cover of my Motorcycle came out perfect. Thanks !

[@sinisterdenali4843]

Great step by step instructions...just did mine and they turned out flawlessly!

[@valiantrose5694]

how long it last ?

[@311Vision]

I did the VHT on my 2005 Yukon last night, it came out cool, but it was 100% matte, I would have been happy with the amount of shine you had before you cleared these... so I will be def trying the clear coat

[@anthonyvincent593]

Great video! Good end results, just so you guys know, it's best to let your wet dry sand paper sit in the water bucket for a few hours before use, the paper is designed to hold water. This is why the wet/dry backer feels different than dry paper, it's a sponge like material.

[@XLR-rr7yp]

brake fluid to remove it

[@joshuacoffin898]

Can I spray nite shade over clear coat

[@capitalds]

yea, i used 2000 and dulled it out, no sign of dimples. Im in the process of sanding again with 1000 grit, will add one light coat of NS then reapply clear coat, prob about 5 coats. I'll let sit for several hours and sand with 2000 again. I was tentative about sanding the clear coat last time, im gonna give it a good through sanding this time and see if that makes a diff. Thx for thr repy and if you have any thoughts im open to hearing them D

[@cheznegron4719]

Thank you!!! I followed your video step by step and my tails came out amazing!

[@UWISHPROD]

+Zchezary Negron awesome. Always makes my day that The video helped someone out. Thank you

[@slammed_stangaz3608]

Man, just did my lights....they turned out amazing...start to finish 1 1/2 hrs! Awesome

[@muffwrangler]

I have done this on all of the cars I have owned and I have to say like everything else you get better with repetition. Started on the Park Avenue then the Taurus then the jeep. Then the Charger and now the Chrysler 200. I decided to step it up and challenge myself on the last one. I only did the borders. I was worried that it wouldn't "fade" , but I have to say it looks freaking sweet. The solid black looks good but this looks like it came out of the factory. Still very "classy". Anyways. Ty for the video man.

[@BlacknRedSN95]

this was the best video ive seen gonna share on facebook, because you should have way more views. thank you!

[@JimHolley1-Design]

Thanks for taking the time to go through this, as well, your attitude about constructive criticism is great. Keep up your work and videos.

[@UWISHPROD]

+Jim Holley Thank you for the support. I am always up for correction, as I am not perfect when I create these videos and also sometimes I forget things.

[@JimHolley1-Design]

+Just Us For the love of cars, we all stick together.

[@pussymstrr]

I was reading it can give a hazy look to the tail light! I have a 2012 Chrsyler 200. I dont want to be annoying..do you think you can make a video of the removal

[@JetFuelOnly]

What I learned from this method. 1. Expect the. Nite shades to lighten up after sanding. So maybe go one extra layer and sand gently. 2. Donny attempt to scuff up the raw light like other videos. It just isn't necessary and I had some poor outcomes. 3. Be careful around edges as you can easily sand off the edges. 4. Consider skipping 1000 grit anywhere.

[@604blackmamba]

Yup I agree....had to redo the light because it cane out too light...went extra layer....sanding is alot of work tho...has to be super smooth

[@jmyler]

It did but they had been sanded before the nightshades was put on so it would have been hazy either way. I sanded with 2000 grit sandpaper all in one direction then i buffed with Meguiar's Plast-X and it looked great. If you don't have an orbital buffer you'll have to do some work with the Plast-X to get it to get really shiny but it works great.

[@jamesc9070]

how much curing time do you recommend for the nite-shades before clear coating?

[@gx.plorer]

Amazing and informative video! How much should this cost say on a SUV at a shop? For the rear tail lights

[@UWISHPROD]

I’m sure a shop would price gouge this service. It’s simple but prob 200-300.

[@gx.plorer]

​@UWISHPROD you are right on the monet, a shop just quoted me $250 for my 2019 gx460 tail lights...wet sand, vht(2 coats), wet sand, 2 coats clear coat? Is that what I should be asking for??

[@UWISHPROD]

Yeah that sound about right. 250 isn’t to bad, probably a couple hours of work and don’t by professionals.

[@productive23]

Do you suppose to sand before applying paint?

[@az370z]

This video helped me out so much thank you! 👍 I’m sending anyone that ask about my lights this link!

[@UWISHPROD]

Glad this many years later, this video still helps people. Thanks for the comments

[@mikeodonnell7166]

I just bought a brand new 2022 Indian motorcycle. Due to Canadian laws the Plexi windshield came clear as where the states come tinted. I'm very skeptical on trying this to a $20,000 machine as tint film won't stick or last on Plexi. But watching this process makes me really want to try it. I've seen videos of people spraying the INSIDE of there cars windows, looks good from the outside but blotchy on the inside looking out where they sprayed. Would you recommend if I tried this to spray it on the outside of my windshield, or inside where I look thru? I also understood to slightly rough up the Plexi first to give the VHT Something to adhere too.... Any thoughts?

[@ianfowlie1]

Hey are you sure you used enamel clear coat? From the little bit of research I've done so fare people seem to be using acrylic lacquer and using several coats and wet sanding. The people that seem to be using enamel have been saying its cloudy looking... Is that because your not suppose to wet sand enamel or because your just suppose to use one or two coats? Any help would be great. I already have everything else needed for the project just need some reassurance before continuing

[@UWISHPROD]

I believe what I used was enamel. I used and automotive type from Auto Zone. When you sanded it did it dull the clear coat and did you see any dimples?

[@philthypony]

I realize that you did your Mustang taillights really dark only the first section that light's up in sequence, now when you did The wetsand, polish etc that section looked amazing better then new! I just want to know if the same thing can be done on my whole taillight once cleared, can i clear it all then wetsand & apply polish & buff finish with wax across The whole light!?

[@philthypony]

Looks awesome I've been wanting to get mine glossy looking, they have the blotchy looking spots as you described so be much nicer if I did what you just did! I wondered if that same procedure would work on item's I paint matched to my car colour, I did my deck surrounded it looks nice but not shiny smooth and the paint I used was mugged at Napa with clearcoat in it but not shiny at all really! so could I do the same with that use the 2000grit wetsand and then clearcoat, follow up with wetsand the clear then polish and wax! Thanks for any info abs if this will work for my deck surrounding I painted my car is goon to really look sharp, thanks.

[@8BitZ0mbie]

beautiful finish. why did you call it mattay though? is that different than matte? or did you just pronounce the "e" at the end of matte?

[@UWISHPROD]

Think I had a blonde moment.....or I did it on purpose to upset people lol.

[@capitalds]

question, is the clear coat enamel or lacquer. When i did mine it didnt come out glassy. heres what i did. wet sand lights 2000 grit apply 3 coats of nite shades, 10 min in between waited 40 min applied 5 coats clear coat Dupli Color Acrylic Enamel waited 30+ min,wet sand with 2000 grit dried well used Turtle wax polishing compound, by hand Was dull so tried applying wax to bring out the shine but still dull. Where did i mess uo? please advise Thanks, Dmitri

[@ianfowlie1]

Thanks for the quick reply. One more question, why do you sand And buff after the clear coat. Just to even out the clear coat?

[@hardcore4476]

Eliminating imperfections

[@michaelstarick3177]

Great instructions man! Did the taillights on my 2011 Flex to duplicate the "Titanium" look

[@danmoller83dm]

Great vids mate just did my widebody fd rx7 tailights they look slick!

[@Johnny747CB]

Just us,I have had my vht on for a month done by a shop but don't think they used clear on it.can I spray clear on it after a month?thank brother!!

[@dtfreshh-]

shouldn't there be a tad bit of soap in that bucket. pretty sure most wet sanding is done with water and a dob of dawn to lubricate more efficiently

[@JohnJohnson-ce9tq]

You don't need soap as u can see he didn't use it and still came out nice, tho u can use soap. If I don't use soap I just soak the sandpaper and use less pressure but u can tell if it's catching unevenly

[@thisfool260]

The 100 grit didn't come out good should I try the 1000 instead?

[@liam.rutherford]

okay thanks for your reply. how would I buff? So to get this right? 2000 sand > clear coat > 2000 sand > buff?

[@Tune2Race_]

What are those shoes..!! HAHAHAHA

[@UWISHPROD]

Hey hey hey now haha

[@danpregler5314]

I was half way done tinting my tail lights, following this "How-To"... that's when i seen them shoes and had to throw my tail lights away... I can't trust someone that wears THOSE! lol!!

[@UWISHPROD]

That’s just rude haha go get your light out of the trash lol

[@joogins3041]

Only cool people wear them man, don't let them bother you brother

[@UWISHPROD]

See...this guy gets it. We can be foot shoe buddies

[@bryanmotes5477]

Can you do this method with regular spray paint?

[@mattgoss69]

It is a Compound or a polish ? Thanks you

[@UWISHPROD]

I might be able to. No promises since I leave in a month for overseas and the light i used for the video got thrown away. Have you searched online to see what works?

[@hardcore4476]

Nice! Where’s the description of materials you said you would post?

[@UWISHPROD]

Great question! This was 8 years ago. I forgot :(

[@ParhamBaba]

do the lights ever dull out? like do I have to re polish them every couple of months?

[@Brett131993]

Thanks for posting this video I did exactly what you did and it came out great!!!!!

[@kolebaumgartner2011]

So you can just use polish and no compound before the polish?

[@hahnsolo27]

loved the video! Is there anyway to lighten them up if they cam out to dark? i did 2 layers nite shade and 6 clear coats. color is a little to dark for my liking.

[@UWISHPROD]

Dustin Hahn Not without starting over.

[@UWISHPROD]

Dustin Hahn But they might lighten up over time from sun fade.

[@bigtubeocaulk1]

its pronounced mat. not matay. the e is silent. nice vid though. very informative.

[@gregm8871]

Give him a break he’s from the South

[@cenzo9434]

Your description below doesn't show any of the products

[@felipegarcia2419]

Nice video! How many coats would you suggest to get a light smoke look?

[@UWISHPROD]

Probably 1-2

[@Divergencemedia]

a day after polishing, the light started building up a white haze. Any idea of what's going on??

[@chrisbucher9827]

How long after your final clear coat did you wait until you polished?

[@omarnodal6463]

How long did you let the vht sit for before sanding and applying the clear coat ?

[@MrMikevest]

I have clear tails. I will be applying the red nightshades then the smoke. Should I hit the lights with the 1000 grit after applying the red or just do it after the smoke?

[@liam.rutherford]

could i sand with 2000 grit, clear coat, sand again with 2000 grit and then clear coat again? or would the finish from the final 2000 grit be satisfactory?

[@JR122694]

I have a brand new car so do you think using sand paper will scratch it? Thanks. Great videos btw.

[@Rufus_Golden_Retriever]

It does take a lot of wet sanding and patience, but the end result is well worth it

[@Bubbleeye00]

Does it matter what kind of polish i use? And also would i need a cutting compound or will just a polish compound work?

[@mark_e_dasod8907]

I've seen some videos where the 2k clear coat was applied with no sanding or prepping just let the 3 coats of Nightshade dry and go over it with clear coat... is prepping necessary or not?

[@user-py6sy4zm1v]

Duplicolor can says white 48 hours to cure before polishing did u wait 48 or nah and if these werent random taillighy and ur card taillight would u wait?

[@lorenzovienna934]

Is the clear coat your adding on these removable if ever want to remove to factor tail light ? Thanks much

[@UWISHPROD]

Yes. Mineral spirits will wipe everything off. Hence why you don’t sand the light prior to starting.

[@lorenzovienna934]

@@UWISHPROD thanks makes sense

[@MrPerfect1]

I just tinted my tail lights per your previous video and now want to clear coat them next. The Nightshades can says to let it stand for 3 hours after tinting until I can handle them and 24 hours for them to cure. Can I start sanding them and working on the clear coat after 3 hours, or should I wait the full 24 hours for them to cure completely? Thank you for the feedback.

[@UWISHPROD]

Tried to email you back, but having server issues. I don't let the clear coat sit for 24hrs before sanding. Usually a hour or two works. But I am impatient, so your choice.

[@MrPerfect1]

UWish Productions Lol. I suffer from the same impatience! Haha! So when you wait an hour or two, it wetsands just fine with no real issues?

[@UWISHPROD]

Cramer1984 Just ensure the clear coat isn't sticky and its dry. I just touch the corner to text it

[@mariorazy]

3 hours?? 24 hrs for it to cure? Dude i do it in less then 2 hours and its all good and done lol

[@bennettfriesen33]

That finish was quite matay. Good thing you did this! 😂😂

[@UWISHPROD]

Very matay actually haha

[@jesusbolanos3573]

so after the six coats you put on you wait about an hour or two before re-sanding?

[@UWISHPROD]

+Jesus Bolanos yes

[@JohnSmith-py1pw]

How dose it hold up over time? And do you have to keep putting wax on overtime

[@Bcc074]

Very informative. Exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@UWISHPROD]

Thank you.

[@emiller6178]

Used the application Video and it turned out great - then I wanted to make the lights have a shiny finish to match my body clear coat shin - I followed this video to the T minus the orbital, I used a microfiber cloth by hand and did two coats of polish with a good amount of pressure and a coat of Turtle Wax spray on Wax - this process didn't seem to shine at all, if anything it looks MORE matte finish now then it did before...what can I do to fix this? remove the tint spray and start all over? get an orbital and try re-polishing to shine it up? any and all help would be very useful - thanks

[@chello1632]

I have the same problem any answers

[@emiller6178]

I wet sanded with 2000grit 4 more times - I good sanding across the whole light...rinse it off and while its drying wet sand the other. repeat to sand each light 4 or 5 more times then he does. then I wiped it clean and dry, then I use the polish again with a small electric sander and a microfiber cloth (to help get more action into the surface) and I did 2 heavy coats of polish, wiped clean, spray wax and done...turned out pretty perfect. here's my before and after i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/punkyemil/2011%20Honda%20CR-z/d0288cf7-8ce8-47cf-b2d0-1b29c36f7070.jpg i135.photobucket.com/albums/q151/punkyemil/2011%20Honda%20CR-z/BEA8E658-7EBE-47B3-B40C-0F13364B223D.jpg

[@budlightsk8er]

man as much work as you put into that tail light you going to sell it?

[@RealtimeReviews613]

Does the vht always come out as a matte finish?

[@yerfdog123]

After the VHT process is done, how long do you wait until you can start sanding it to apply the clearcoat?

[@UWISHPROD]

+YERFDOG probably about a hour or so. You want it fully dry

[@yerfdog123]

Just Us Awesome! Thanks for the quick response man. My Jeep has professionally tinted taillights (black paint mixed with clear) and they look great, but light output isn't. I had VHT tinted tails in the past the same darkness but it shines through so much better. Anyway thanks again!

[@brucciwaynemusic876]

@@UWISHPROD thanks again man

[@dodgersalvarez1]

If you don't have car polish can you use car wax?

[@ItsBoGz13]

What kind of sandpaper did you use for the first one and second?

[@bwood895]

i have a question. so i used vht night shade on my cars tail lights. GF said one was darker so i added a little more to one " she was wrong" now one is way to dark and i want to bring it back a little any idea of how to do that?

[@andrew6608]

mine literally has no gloss at all. it looks matte. is there any way I can fix it? I havent done the final sand and added a rubbing compound yet but I highly doubt thats going to make a big difference

[@coopsovdarlo]

do you have a video of it on the car to see the light output??

[@UWISHPROD]

+Coops no I don't, sorry about that

[@isaiahromero6757]

Did the middle part have any clear coat previous to you doing the video ?

[@UWISHPROD]

No

[@adamlopez5028]

Why do you sand after clear coating? Won't it just make the clear come off?

[@jmyler]

Actually it WAS goof off. I thought it was goo gone but just checked and goof off was the magic stuff. I got the big bottle of it and poured it on near the top and let it run down. if you let it sit for 30 seconds or so it comes off pretty easy. Might need a plastic scraper to help you out.

[@jus1027]

Do you have a part# off the can of clear coat?

[@sietafak]

Good stuff man, detailed and to the point.

[@jdecastro357]

Is that a palm sander with polisher attachment?

[@UWISHPROD]

I think it was an autozone $20 polisher with a fabric cloth overlay. Nothing special

[@Racing4love]

Quick question on my 2001 mustang taillights I have my black spay on and I sanded with 1500 grit sandpaper wet and really smooth then on one taillight I got to much clear coat on and it's to think on places looks stupid please tell me what sandpaper I can use to sand that down and be smooth my other taillight has no clear coat just smooth. And after I do that what's best grit to use 1000 1500 2000 after I clear coat it thanks just need to get this clear coat off to think it gunked up on places probably should spay very lightly next time lol thanks 👍

[@henrylong45]

Where in Ohio are you? I'd be interested in having you do the taillights on my 2011 Mercedes Benz CLS 550. Please let me know. Thanks!

[@UWISHPROD]

Not located there anymore. Sorry about that.

[@henrylong45]

How far away are you from Ohio, now?

[@UWISHPROD]

Couple states away.

[@henrylong45]

How much would you charge me to do my taillights if I came there?

[@hammgarcia7938]

Did u sand them before you sprayed them with the vht spray

[@UWISHPROD]

No. Only reason, if I ever remove the nightshades, my lights would be scratched up.

[@hammgarcia7938]

Got it. Going to do my lights. Thanx for the tips. Great video as well.

[@thestang8289]

Wouldn't plasti dip glossifier put over the nite shades be the best way to do this or vice versa, putting glossifier first then nite shades? I've never tried it but would be very interested in someone that does!

[@thestang8289]

Chandler Pizzi Nope but I read that it won't peel properly so I wouldnt try it..... But vice versa would work Glossifier over nite shades but it doesn't give the glossy look imo

[@envisionstudios2382]

I did and it came out textured and still matte.

[@allycrean5270]

Can I use acrylic clear coat? Because the vht itself says not to be used on acrylic surfaces? I know clear coat is on top of it though but will it mix negatively?

[@UWISHPROD]

I’m not sure of this. I know the process I used work. Sorry I can’t be of help

[@pussymstrr]

Did it give you tail light hazy finish?

[@haydencomau]

How do I remove this? My tint has faded and looks like shit now. I wanna remove it all and do it properly with a vinyl tint. Will the sanded surface cause any issues when applying the vinyl?

[@UWISHPROD]

Lightly wipe away with mineral spirits and use a small amount. Don’t sand it off. As long as you never sanded the original plastic it should be fine.

[@andrejones3930]

Great video. Did you sand the lights before applying VHT?

[@UWISHPROD]

No. The reason being, if you ever remove the VHT for whatever reason, your lights will be dull sand look like doo doo.

[@austingoins7038]

I just did mine today, but after I finished they came out a little scratchy. I guess I could have sanded too hard, but do you have any recommendations on how I can remove the scratchy look?

[@UWISHPROD]

+Austin Byrum You could always lightly re-sand and then re-clear. Finish off with buffing again.

[@UWISHPROD]

The rustoleum tint is just about the same as VHT. The clear coat will clean it up nice.

[@SceFlie]

Do we have to use clear coat or can we skip the clear coating stage and just sand and polish?

[@ZakDeckich]

+SceFlie use a clear coat

[@UWISHPROD]

+SceFlie It is your choice, but it is best to use a clear coat as it adds better protection and a long term shine.

[@elw619]

Very nice, can't wait to try this out!

[@NATIN2KRAZY]

YOU ARE THE MAN!! I'm goina attempt this today

[@Zx10rshawn]

Could I use this method for a rattle can paint job on my front bumper?

[@UWISHPROD]

+Zx10rshawn Ya this process will work the same. Just take your time