BraemerZ28

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys, I also posted this in the main VHT thread, but figured folks may not look in there since it is such a long thread. Here's my issue...

I pulled my side markers and 3rd brack light to do the Night Shades trick. I wet sanded everything with 600 grit and then 2000 grit. Cleaned with alchohol and then painted per instructions on the can. Side markers turned out great, but the 3rd brake light spider cracked like crazy!!! I thought maybe I had some chemical or something on the brake light. So, I sanded it back down to the plastic using 250 grit, then wet sanded again with 600 and 2000. Cleaned this time with water, let dry overnight, and painted. SAME THING!!!

I've sent VHT an e-mail asking for input. Anyone out there have an idea of why the side markers would work so well while the brake light would get screwed up? I used the same prep, did them at the same time, in the same shop.

Any help?

Thanks,

Silas2k

iTrader: (5)

wow thats strange, i did my side markers like urs with no problem... my first thought was that u were using a very high wattage bulb in the 3rd... but then wed see more people cracking after they sprayed the headlights... i dunno man im stumped... gl tho

BraemerZ28

iTrader: (2)

Yeah - these haven't been back in the car yet so bulb power shouldn't make a difference. This cracking happens right away while the stuff is drying. Wierd.

Thanks,

KEE AUDIO

iTrader: (65)

I'm not sure on this but maybe try 1500 instead of 2000 grit to give it a little more bite maybe?? It would still be smooth but the paint may have a little easier time. If that doesn't work try taking it down to the plastic again. Then spray some clear coat over it. Let it cure. Then try spraying the VHT on the clearcoat. It may act like an adhesion promoter. Might stick to it since it doesn't stick to the plastic directly. Just some ideas. Don't know why it wouldn't stick since you cleaned it well the first two times. Good luck!!

davidfre21

iTrader: (3)

That stuff may just be reacting to the plastic, it happens sometimes ... For my side markers i used a couple light coats of black base coat and cleared it. They looks a lot nicer than yours, they are more glossy. Makes it look like they arent there with my car being black

01 Red WS6

iTrader: (4)

That happened a few times on my 3rd brake light too. I gave up and went with a different idea

BraemerZ28

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys. I'm not quite done with the side markers yet - still want to clear them, wet sand, and buff. That should bring out the shine like some were describing. I'm just happy the VHT worked on them.

I have sent a note to VHT regarding the 3rd brake light issue. Depending on how/if they answer, I may try using the clear first as suggested. The light is trash the way it is now so there's nothing to lose.

If that doesn't work, I 'll end up buying a new one and leaving it red.

Thanks,

davidfre21

iTrader: (3)

try my method, go to a paint supply store and buy a small *** amount of black base coat and use a cheap spray gun from like harbor frieght.

NOBR8KSS

iTrader: (12)

Same thing happened to me. The tail lights, side markers, and front turn signals all turned out great, but the 3rd brake light cracked. It must be a different kind of plastic that is reacting to the paint.
JC

LS1>girlfriend

iTrader: (19)

you have a chemical on the third light too "hot" for the vht to stick too. sand it all down again and rub really good with laquer thinner, then resand with 400. that should work.

ive never done vht but thats my solution with painted items

transambandit

iTrader: (6)

same thing that happened to mine, there was nothing i could do i had to buy another brake light, if you try sanding it down with some gritty sand paper you might get it to work

Ru2slo_99

How long did you wait between coats. If you paint something then wait for a couple of hours and put on another coat, it will peel up.

Irocss85

iTrader: (1)

same exact scenario. painted all tail lights, side marker lights, and 3rd brake light. all came out perfect except the 3rd brake light. exact same thing. Im goin to try a product called "bulldog" thats a plastic adhesion promoter, see how that works. oh, and BTW, I sanded with 800 to sand down the #s on the light, then sanded with 1000 grit. Im positive that its just a matter of the product reacting to the chemicals in the VHT. we'll see what happens.

oh, and wetsand and buff the VHT before and after you clear coat it. it makes a huge difference in the shine.

Havok2

iTrader: (118)

hmmmmm

rdmelton

iTrader: (25)

I know that this is an old thread, but any updates from VHT on how to prevent this?

Irocss85

iTrader: (1)

yeah, just dont do it.

rdmelton

iTrader: (25)

FYI: I really wanted to tint the third brake light, so I decided to try it by applying clear coat directly to the plastic surface of the third brake light, and then applying the nite shades onto the clear coat, and then clear coat over the nite shades. Everything worked great, and I didn't have any cracking or peeling.
Here's some pictures: http://rdmelton.autoeducation.com/ca...ers.html#brake

99FormulaM6

iTrader: (21)

also, my buddy tried VHT on his side markers/rear brake light and ran into the same problem.. but he tried to use laquer thinner (as someone mentioned above) to clean it off...and that was the worst mistake ever. it took off the VHT fine..and it also started to eat at the plastic too. And this was just getting a towel wet with it and rubbing. it ruined the plastic and he had to buy another one. Soi dont recommend lauqer thinner at all... Just a FYI...

arioch

same here....i wetsanded down to the plastic and tried again and it came out better, not perfect but the top is pretty good now, the underside just needs some more wetsanding

BIG_MIKE2005

iTrader: (116)

The only thing I can think of that could cause this would be putting too thick of a coat on at once or not good prep work.

Mine has been done for over a year & is parked outside year round with no cover. All my VHT stuff still looks exactly like it did the day I finished it. No fadding, peeling or cracking.

I'm not sure what is causing you guys this problem. But I do know not very many have had this issue when you look at the bigger picture, so that leads me to believe its the person using the product instead of the product itself.