Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

I did a search on here and didn't come up with much. From what I've seen, it appears that lacquer thinner will take it right off, but at the same time, I don't want to mess up the taillights. Only reason I'm doing this is because my car didn't pass inspection with the smoked tails. Anyone else have better options for removing this stuff?

UnVMySS

iTrader: (31)

I'd use denatured alcohol. It won't destroy the lenses and will take the paint off. Plus one for removing the paint. The look gets old after a while...

MR_M

iTrader: (5)

I would be careful with the lacquer thinner. I used it to remove vht on a previous car once and although it took the vht off it caused some hazing on the lense. I would try wet sanding first.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

What grit should I use? Do you think wet sanding will take it all off? I need to do this TONIGHT so I can take my car back in tomorrow to be re-inspected.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

If you sand enough it'll come off, yes.

Are yours totally black or just darkened a little bit?

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

You can sand, just need to level out the plastic via buffer and compound like PlasticX

stevesfbody

Yeah lacquer thinner is a no-no

__Z__

iTrader: (6)

Just use gasoline... ive used it on several pairs without incident

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

So would using something like 400 grit not be a good idea? I've got that at home already. I just need a quick fix so I can take it back in tomorrow to pass inspection. I'm sure 400 grit isn't ideal, but will it work without ******* up my taillight lenses?

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

You just put some on a towel and wipe?

__Z__

iTrader: (6)

yes, ive even poured some onto the lights, and scrub away...

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

400 grit would take the tint off pretty quick. You would probably have some scratches in the lenses that you'd need to use finer grits to sand out and they would look dull and ugly, but they would be normal color again.

Rise of the Phoenix

iTrader: (27)

Wouldn't using the finer grits after going with the 400 grit keep it from looking dull and ugly? Obviously giving them a good polish after all the sanding is done will help too.

I honestly plan on re-spraying them with VHT Nightshade once I get the car passed. I'm only removing it because I have to in order to get it to pass inspection.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Yeah, bad sentence structure there I meant it would look dull and ugly after the 400 grit but it should at least pass inspection I would think. Yes, the finer grits would then sand out the ugliness.

Maybe you should look to get a cheap set of tails for inspection purposes. Like buy a set that have warped lenses for dirt cheap.

stevesfbody

Use 1500 and buff after

bayer-z28

iTrader: (14)

I wetsanded the living HELL out of mine just to lighten it up a shade. Unless you've got some arms of steel and a lot of time, it may take a while.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

Need a coarser grit to start with. I had an issue with unevenness and cracking the first time I used niteshades so I sanded it down and started again. Coarse grit didn't take too long to do it, and I can guarantee you I certainly don't have arms of steel Of course use a finer grit to get rid of the deeper marks before tinting again.

bigbomber5

I used Goof Off, no problems

VinR1

iTrader: (17)

X2 for gasoline - 2min per lense tops

__Z__

iTrader: (6)

+50, gonna be redoing mine soon, and this is how ill go about stripping them.