Slow day at work today and since I have a bum foot at the moment anyway, I just have to show up for the most part.

anyway....

I saw that a fellow member, budhayes3, was selling his clean, stock taillights and since mine were getting real cloudy around all edges, I clicked on his ad.
https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...d.php?t=478570
I saw mention of "candy-ing taillights" and had no idea WTF these guys were talking about until Billy posted a link. I decided to try it, and couldn't be happier at the moment. Still feel kinda bad I didn't buy his after asking about them though. If I ever "candy" another set, it'll be some ratty looking ones like mine anyway.

I used a slightly modified process on mine since I am so damn impatient. (and couldn't find the suggested grits last night)

BTW, ALL sanding was done with WET sandpaper and plenty of water.
Removed Taillights
Taped up REVERSE lights
Scuffed w/320 grit
Followed w/600 grit
Rinsed and dried w/plain water
Wiped thoroughly w/Tack Cloth
Sprayed one light coat of Candy Apple Red and waited about 15 minutes
Applied 2 more fairly heavy coats, 15 minutes apart, which all but eliminated any "orange peel"
Let paint dry under forced air heater for about 2.5 hours
Removed tape from Reverse light area
Wetsanded taillights with 1500 grit, then dried and tack-clothed them again
Put 3 nice coats of clear on them using the same method as the paint
Waited another 2 hours and slapped them back in...

The topcoat is smooth enough for my truck, IMHO, that they really do not "need" wetsanding, but after a few days I plan to probably wetsand with 2000 grit and hand polish them.

Only suggestion I can offer is to order/buy TWO cans each of the color and the clear. The cans are so small it's hard to judge how much is left while painting. With the cost of gas, I ordered directly from manufacturer since I couldn't find a hobby shop nearby enough to justify traveling to it as opposed to just paying the $6 shipping charge...

I used:
Testors #1605 Transparent Candy Apple Red
Testors #1814 Gloss Clear Coat Enamel

I attached a few pics of end results. I also attached one showing the cloudy look it had before.

 

They look great, give it a nice touch...way better IMO.

 

Thanks, and I agree 100%.

Can't believe that I had never heard the term before...guess I'm getting old, lol.

 

Oh ya they look much better, i always wanted candied tail lights. Thats the reason I bought the lights I have now..

 

Thanks.
Go for it! It's one of those simple, very inexpensive mods that actually makes a difference. I have less than $20 invested including the sandpaper.

 

good job, looks very nice!

 

That looks great, nice work!

 

Nice! Good option for those thinking about switching to 2003 + taillights.

 

Going to give this a try. Nice write-up and your tail lights look great!!

 

Wow, they came out awesome man, glad that I was able to help! Looks so much cleaner without the amber lens in there, breaking it up