How do I paint my GT tail lights...

Kamaro Killer · 09-17-2002, 12:38 PM

I am buying a set of used GT taillights today for 60 dollars and they are almost brand new, well they look brand new. The only problem is they are red and my car's white. I want to paint the taillights black (not the lens), but I'm not sure of what the task will consist of doing. If someone has repainted their trim, or any plastic, let me know what paint you used, and wheter you used some stripping solvent of some kind. This is probably in the wrong sectin, but it won't see any traffic in the appearance section. Thanks, Keith.

Kamaro Killer · 09-17-2002, 02:36 PM

I was also wondering, do the taillight covers come apart from the lens? Thanks, Keith

GodStang · 09-17-2002, 05:28 PM

I did the plastic on my 1994 tail-lights. They did not come apart and had to do alot of tapeing. I just lightly sanded it and than used black spray paint. I think they have special plastic paint. I used normal Kraylon about 1.5 years ago and it still looks great. There is a pic of it on my user ride.

Jthompson · 09-17-2002, 06:42 PM

FYI, my buddy had a 91 gt. He ditched the gt tailights with those bars for a stock lx tailights out of the same year. Really cleaned up the appearance quite a bit.

Hozer 88GTConv · 09-17-2002, 07:09 PM

Frankly, I prefer the stock GT "Cheese Grater" tail lights. The stock look makes a car sharper IMO.
Yes, the lense is easly seperated from its housing. Unfortunately, you will have to mask each individual lens. But it is worth it.
Getting the LX tail lights or even worse, the stupid Euro lenses is a cop out and takes away from the original appeal of the car.
I am obviously biased, and a little hypocritcal as I have had to get a cowled hood due to my RR's, taller valve covers, phenolic spacer etc...
But I still have my turbines!

Hozer 88GTConv · 09-17-2002, 07:14 PM

I think the white "cheese grater" would look much better on your car than the darker clear lenses of the LX.
Not a flame, just my personal appreciation of the original car.

Kamaro Killer · 09-17-2002, 07:22 PM

I am going to get the GT taillights, and paint the housing black, then get the 85-86 taillights and put the pinstriping on them to make my own Cobra R taillights, then I'm going to get some used LX taillights so I can switch them out whenever I want a change. I think I'm going to get another fiberglass hood too(I have a 4" cowl hood), maybe one like Cyberstang's. I would like to get mostly used parts so I don't break my bank account on the appearance of my car, unlike all ricer's, lol. Does the plastic vented area come apart from the lens, or is the lens attached to the plastic vents? If I could pull the plastic vented part off, how is it done? Thanks, Keith

Hozer 88GTConv · 09-17-2002, 07:28 PM

The clear lens is molded to the frame. You will have to mask.

Stang_Crazy · 09-17-2002, 07:34 PM

Just so you know, the 85-86 GT taillights came in grey. The pre 85's came in black...just something to keep in mind. I got the 85-86's forgetting about this and when they got here, I had to do alot of masking to change them from grey to black. hey do look really good though and are different from the LX taillights that everyone else has.

Jthompson · 09-18-2002, 12:42 AM

Oh well, I guess I am in the minority. Personally I don't like that cheesy 80's tail light appearance of the GT's. Ford got a little carried away on those cars with the body kits and so forth. It looked great at the time, but now adays...; we as mustang people tend to be biased. I see those cars like they were my own son, I could never dislike it, but to anyone else, they are those "ugly 80's mustangs"

Sorry, I didn't mean to rain on anyones parade, I have an 86 gt, and it is my baby. Make sure you post pics when you are done... Good luck!!!

lx5091 · 09-18-2002, 01:09 AM

I here ya JT with the gt lights, no thanks, but as we all say 'round here, I'm biased too. Personally I like the lx lights better than any, always have, simply because they are the simplest, cleanest look around on any application. I don't know if I could change my perfect original stock body, but if I ever did I'd probably go with the cobra rear bumper and side skirts, a stalker front bumper, a gt wing and I'd keep the lx lights and maybe even buy a fresh set. and I'd have to throw in a full paint job, this calypso is wearing my eyes, maybe I'd go cool mint listerine!

Mach 1 · 09-18-2002, 05:21 AM

Another vote for the GT taillights. Much sharper than the LX lights that everybody swaps to. My freind couldnt "give" me a set of those ugly LX lights.

Kamaro Killer · 09-18-2002, 02:51 PM

If that's even a word. I like variety! I got the GT lights last night, now I just have to paint them. I will post pics of all three when I get the others. I have a saleen wing and a 4" cowl hood, so that takes my stock look away. I'll pull this thread up and post pics on it as soon as I get all my lights. Take care, Keith.

DRASTiK · 09-19-2002, 01:36 AM

It'll look like this?

Kamaro Killer · 09-19-2002, 01:45 AM

See, that's what I'm talking about. I like that look a lot better than white! Hey Dave, you could just give me your car, since you don't want it anymore

It's done up like I want mine already! How about a trade, lol. But with the better engine, lol, Keith

DRASTiK · 09-19-2002, 01:48 AM

Sure I'll give it to you..... right after you give me the money for it.

09-17-2002, 12:38 PM	#1
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	How do I paint my GT tail lights... I am buying a set of used GT taillights today for 60 dollars and they are almost brand new, well they look brand new. The only problem is they are red and my car's white. I want to paint the taillights black (not the lens), but I'm not sure of what the task will consist of doing. If someone has repainted their trim, or any plastic, let me know what paint you used, and wheter you used some stripping solvent of some kind. This is probably in the wrong sectin, but it won't see any traffic in the appearance section. Thanks, Keith. __________________ 1993 GT 5.0-My Stang Rice Hater's Club Member 22

09-17-2002, 02:36 PM	#2
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	Nobody? I was also wondering, do the taillight covers come apart from the lens? Thanks, Keith __________________ 1993 GT 5.0-My Stang Rice Hater's Club Member 22

09-17-2002, 05:28 PM	#3
GodStang College Stanger Join Date: May 1999 Location: Aiken,south carolina, usa Posts: 1,097	I did the plastic on my 1994 tail-lights. They did not come apart and had to do alot of tapeing. I just lightly sanded it and than used black spray paint. I think they have special plastic paint. I used normal Kraylon about 1.5 years ago and it still looks great. There is a pic of it on my user ride. __________________ 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra

09-17-2002, 06:42 PM	#4
Jthompson Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Corona, Ca. Posts: 80	FYI, my buddy had a 91 gt. He ditched the gt tailights with those bars for a stock lx tailights out of the same year. Really cleaned up the appearance quite a bit. __________________ Jeremy 1986 Mustang GT Convertible 1972 2 door 302 Maverick 1994 POS head gasket clubbed broke down T-bird with $6000 left to pay off

09-17-2002, 07:09 PM	#5
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	GT tail lights... Frankly, I prefer the stock GT "Cheese Grater" tail lights. The stock look makes a car sharper IMO. Yes, the lense is easly seperated from its housing. Unfortunately, you will have to mask each individual lens. But it is worth it. Getting the LX tail lights or even worse, the stupid Euro lenses is a cop out and takes away from the original appeal of the car. I am obviously biased, and a little hypocritcal as I have had to get a cowled hood due to my RR's, taller valve covers, phenolic spacer etc... But I still have my turbines! __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

09-17-2002, 07:14 PM	#6
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	and another thing... I think the white "cheese grater" would look much better on your car than the darker clear lenses of the LX. Not a flame, just my personal appreciation of the original car. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

09-17-2002, 07:22 PM	#7
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	See, I've got a plan to please everyone, especially me I am going to get the GT taillights, and paint the housing black, then get the 85-86 taillights and put the pinstriping on them to make my own Cobra R taillights, then I'm going to get some used LX taillights so I can switch them out whenever I want a change. I think I'm going to get another fiberglass hood too(I have a 4" cowl hood), maybe one like Cyberstang's. I would like to get mostly used parts so I don't break my bank account on the appearance of my car, unlike all ricer's, lol. Does the plastic vented area come apart from the lens, or is the lens attached to the plastic vents? If I could pull the plastic vented part off, how is it done? Thanks, Keith __________________ 1993 GT 5.0-My Stang Rice Hater's Club Member 22

09-17-2002, 07:28 PM	#8
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	lens... The clear lens is molded to the frame. You will have to mask. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

09-17-2002, 07:34 PM	#9
Stang_Crazy It's never clean enough! Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Shaler, PA Posts: 1,542	85-86's Just so you know, the 85-86 GT taillights came in grey. The pre 85's came in black...just something to keep in mind. I got the 85-86's forgetting about this and when they got here, I had to do alot of masking to change them from grey to black. hey do look really good though and are different from the LX taillights that everyone else has. __________________ ~Dan 2001 SVT Lightning 89' GT : Taking up garage space and waiting for a buyer... Rice Hater's Club - Member #11

09-18-2002, 12:42 AM	#10
Jthompson Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Corona, Ca. Posts: 80	Oh well, I guess I am in the minority. Personally I don't like that cheesy 80's tail light appearance of the GT's. Ford got a little carried away on those cars with the body kits and so forth. It looked great at the time, but now adays...; we as mustang people tend to be biased. I see those cars like they were my own son, I could never dislike it, but to anyone else, they are those "ugly 80's mustangs" Sorry, I didn't mean to rain on anyones parade, I have an 86 gt, and it is my baby. Make sure you post pics when you are done... Good luck!!! __________________ Jeremy 1986 Mustang GT Convertible 1972 2 door 302 Maverick 1994 POS head gasket clubbed broke down T-bird with $6000 left to pay off

09-18-2002, 01:09 AM	#11
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	I here ya JT with the gt lights, no thanks, but as we all say 'round here, I'm biased too. Personally I like the lx lights better than any, always have, simply because they are the simplest, cleanest look around on any application. I don't know if I could change my perfect original stock body, but if I ever did I'd probably go with the cobra rear bumper and side skirts, a stalker front bumper, a gt wing and I'd keep the lx lights and maybe even buy a fresh set. and I'd have to throw in a full paint job, this calypso is wearing my eyes, maybe I'd go cool mint listerine! __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

09-18-2002, 05:21 AM	#12
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	Another vote for the GT taillights. Much sharper than the LX lights that everybody swaps to. My freind couldnt "give" me a set of those ugly LX lights. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

09-18-2002, 02:51 PM	#13
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	I guess I'm unbiased If that's even a word. I like variety! I got the GT lights last night, now I just have to paint them. I will post pics of all three when I get the others. I have a saleen wing and a 4" cowl hood, so that takes my stock look away. I'll pull this thread up and post pics on it as soon as I get all my lights. Take care, Keith. __________________ 1993 GT 5.0-My Stang Rice Hater's Club Member 22

09-19-2002, 01:45 AM	#15
Kamaro Killer Mustang Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 528	yep, just lke that! See, that's what I'm talking about. I like that look a lot better than white! Hey Dave, you could just give me your car, since you don't want it anymore It's done up like I want mine already! How about a trade, lol. But with the better engine, lol, Keith __________________ 1993 GT 5.0-My Stang Rice Hater's Club Member 22

09-19-2002, 01:48 AM	#16
DRASTiK Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 536	Sure I'll give it to you..... right after you give me the money for it.

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