Niteshade - Focaljet

**01focuszx3** · 05-23-2008, 07:50 AM

Would it be a pain to niteshade the turn signals on a zx3 grille? I know it would be alot easier to do a svt grille. Or has anyone done this before, i'm getting ready to niteshade all the lights i can this weekend. just wondering

thanks

**zetecgt** · 05-23-2008, 07:56 AM

VOTE 1 FOR BANNING OF ALL NITESHADE TOPICS!!!

nah, it'll be easy. Just tape up the grill area and go.

You'll have to peel the tape off before the niteshade fully cures though.

dave.

**01focuszx3** · 05-23-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetecgt

VOTE 1 FOR BANNING OF ALL NITESHADE TOPICS!!!

nah, it'll be easy. Just tape up the grill area and go.

You'll have to peel the tape off before the niteshade fully cures though.

dave.

lol, good one. nah, i like a challenge. I haven't seen anyone do this one before.

**98LowRanger** · 05-23-2008, 08:26 AM

Remember that paint preperation is key! Make sure you clean any of the lights your going to tint really well. SEM makes a plastic paint prep that I like to use, but really any degreaser should work. I never sanded/scuffed any of the lights I tinted and never had any problems. Niteshades WILL do odd things when the humidity is high though. Also remember to do light coats till you get the darkness you desire. Good luck!

**01focuszx3** · 05-23-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98LowRanger

Remember that paint preperation is key! Make sure you clean any of the lights your going to tint really well. SEM makes a plastic paint prep that I like to use, but really any degreaser should work. I never sanded/scuffed any of the lights I tinted and never had any problems. Niteshades WILL do odd things when the humidity is high though. Also remember to do light coats till you get the darkness you desire. Good luck!

Thanks, i alwayz do my research before i do something

**deception** · 05-23-2008, 09:12 AM

Yeah I think I ended up doing about 7-8 light coats before i got the darkness i wanted on my side markers, maybe a few more even.

**98LowRanger** · 05-23-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deception

Yeah I think I ended up doing about 7-8 light coats before i got the darkness i wanted on my side markers, maybe a few more even.

Yea I think I did about the same. The first 2-3 coats don't seem to do much, but when it starts to darken it darkens a lot with each additional coat.

**Silfox** · 05-23-2008, 01:05 PM

You are going to laugh, but I've niteshaded one of my grills with a sharpie. Just a larger chisel point sharpie.
Another grill I acually used Niteshade but I didnt even mask off the lights, just sprayed the entire grill.

I think Ive gone through 5 grills.

**01focuszx3** · 05-23-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silfox

You are going to laugh, but I've niteshaded one of my grills with a sharpie. Just a larger chisel point sharpie.
Another grill I acually used Niteshade but I didnt even mask off the lights, just sprayed the entire grill.

I think Ive gone through 5 grills.

good job!! j/k

... how did the grille look when you sprayed the entire grille?

**ridindirtyzx3** · 05-23-2008, 05:37 PM

i did mine, i just taped of the grill part, and then i sprayed just the orange singnal part.

**focusonfocus** · 05-23-2008, 06:09 PM

don't forget to clearcoat it after and polish until it gets shiny..

**saurin37** · 05-23-2008, 06:26 PM

You don't need to bother taping off anything...

Niteshade doesn't have a glossy finish; you can spray down the whole grille if you want and it won't change the look at all. Just focus on the signals and fade out any wet-look into the center with light, continuous sprays and it'll look fine.

You DEFINITELY don't need to clear-coat or polish either. Maybe if you're doing taillights, sure. But the grille turns? Don't bother.

**Great One** · 05-23-2008, 08:44 PM

When I did mine I taped everything off and I think I did about 7 thick coats of niteshade, and I think 5 coats of clear getting thicker towards the last shade.

**focusonfocus** · 05-23-2008, 10:24 PM

why no for clear coating and no polishing??
even it is small surface, why having dull finish..
well it is upto you but..which one do you prefer??

i googled some pic and this is what it looks like with nithshade only..

and clearcoat and polish

**Silfox** · 05-23-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01focuszx3

good job!! j/k

... how did the grille look when you sprayed the entire grille?

Turned out great. The grill isnt glossy anyhow, so it all just blended in fine.

**TJs98GT** · 05-24-2008, 07:07 AM

i just picked some up yesterday, dont know when ill actually get around to doing it though

**saurin37** · 05-24-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focusonfocus

why no for clear coating and no polishing??
even it is small surface, why having dull finish..
well it is upto you but..which one do you prefer??

Like I said in my post before, it's a different story with taillights because there's a large surface area and you want it to match the finish of the car's body itself. I'd do clear and a little wetsanding there.

The grille in our cars is matte black plastic, though, and the finish of straight niteshade looks just fine on the turns. I'm just saying I don't think the effort of a) taping off all the little crevices in it just right, and b) spraying a half dozen coats of clear, is worth it.

**Azwethinkweiz** · 05-25-2008, 01:40 AM

A lot of people say to do really light coats.... I found that nightshades is actually really glossy on its own without buffing or clear coating if you apply heavy coats... To the point where it's almost about to sag/run. Takes practice but you'll see what I mean if you try it on like a plastic bottle or something.

**saurin37** · 05-25-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azwethinkweiz

A lot of people say to do really light coats.... I found that nightshades is actually really glossy on its own without buffing or clear coating if you apply heavy coats... To the point where it's almost about to sag/run. Takes practice but you'll see what I mean if you try it on like a plastic bottle or something.

x2, spraying really close up in exactly the way you describe is how I've done all of mine.

**LowZX3on17s** · 05-25-2008, 10:35 AM

yea ^ i didnt follow a normal painting procedure for mine either and i think they look good.

**01focuszx3** · 05-25-2008, 10:39 AM

Ok, all i had time to do was the bumper lights, so here it is and thanks for the comments!

**01focuszx3** · 05-25-2008, 10:42 AM

oh yea, i sanded that stupid writing on the lenses too

**saurin37** · 05-25-2008, 11:14 AM

Looks good man.

**Bparks717** · 05-25-2008, 06:56 PM

I night shaded my grill turns i didnt even tape off and they came out amazing and havent worn off at all it sticks really well just dont do ur headlights i made that mistake ill post some pics but ya i didnt ven tape off i just removed it form the car and hit it it came out great

**01focuszx3** · 05-25-2008, 08:59 PM

Ok, i'm mad. What is the best brand clear coat to use for niteshade? It's weird cuz i used Krylon clear on my interior parts and it's all glossy. I used the same stuff on my taillights today and it made them gray!!! And yes before anyone asks, i did look at the can before i sprayed

. I had to sand all the crapy clear and niteshade off. Now i re-sprayed the tails and need to know what kind did you use? And after this, i agree with zetecgt to get them professionally cleared, but i don't have the money for that right at this momment.

05-23-2008, 07:50 AM	#1
01focuszx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Morganton NC, Posts: 794	Niteshade Would it be a pain to niteshade the turn signals on a zx3 grille? I know it would be alot easier to do a svt grille. Or has anyone done this before, i'm getting ready to niteshade all the lights i can this weekend. just wondering thanks __________________ Marshall low priced euro foci parts!!

05-23-2008, 07:56 AM	#2
zetecgt EXTREME douche pickle! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: $@N @NT0N10, T3X@$ Posts: 7,027	Re: Niteshade VOTE 1 FOR BANNING OF ALL NITESHADE TOPICS!!! nah, it'll be easy. Just tape up the grill area and go. You'll have to peel the tape off before the niteshade fully cures though. dave. __________________ Ford Owners Club of San Antonio Oh! Don't mind me. I'm just upping my post count..... x p Making people reply with "WTF" since 2004

05-23-2008, 08:26 AM	#4
98LowRanger Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oak Ridge, North Carolina Posts: 1,289	Re: Niteshade Remember that paint preperation is key! Make sure you clean any of the lights your going to tint really well. SEM makes a plastic paint prep that I like to use, but really any degreaser should work. I never sanded/scuffed any of the lights I tinted and never had any problems. Niteshades WILL do odd things when the humidity is high though. Also remember to do light coats till you get the darkness you desire. Good luck! __________________ 03 LG Focus ZX3 - Daily driver 98 Ranger - Show Truck

05-23-2008, 09:12 AM	#6
deception TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 250	Re: Niteshade Yeah I think I ended up doing about 7-8 light coats before i got the darkness i wanted on my side markers, maybe a few more even. __________________ E4 MAFIA! 2007 Focus SES \| F2 CAI \| Tinted windows and side markers\| Soon to be Dropped and added halo's.

05-23-2008, 01:05 PM	#8
Silfox [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 7,637	Re: Niteshade You are going to laugh, but I've niteshaded one of my grills with a sharpie. Just a larger chisel point sharpie. Another grill I acually used Niteshade but I didnt even mask off the lights, just sprayed the entire grill. I think Ive gone through 5 grills. __________________ ▓▓░░░ ▓▓▓▓▓

05-23-2008, 05:37 PM	#10
ridindirtyzx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lebanon, PA Posts: 865	Re: Niteshade i did mine, i just taped of the grill part, and then i sprayed just the orange singnal part. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/ruast8champ Mods: 17'' Enkei Evo 6 Rims, AEM CAI, OBX Header, Borla 2.25'' Exhaust, Steeda Short Shifter, Eibach Sportlines, Vis Invader Carbon Fiber Hood, 7'' In-Dash DVD Player, 12'' Kicker Sub, 1200W Sony Amp, Streetglow Gold-Line Underbody Kit (broken, but will soon be fixed), tint, and some other minor stuff

05-23-2008, 06:09 PM	#11
focusonfocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: toronto, on Posts: 3,773	Re: Niteshade don't forget to clearcoat it after and polish until it gets shiny.. __________________ MECP certified mobile installer 2000 Kona Dirt.www.cardomain.com/id/focusonfocus

05-23-2008, 06:26 PM	#12
saurin37 TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buxton, ME Posts: 664	Re: Niteshade You don't need to bother taping off anything... Niteshade doesn't have a glossy finish; you can spray down the whole grille if you want and it won't change the look at all. Just focus on the signals and fade out any wet-look into the center with light, continuous sprays and it'll look fine. You DEFINITELY don't need to clear-coat or polish either. Maybe if you're doing taillights, sure. But the grille turns? Don't bother. __________________ Ben P :: '03 Black PZEV 2.3L ZX3 :: FocusSport Stealth Exhaust :: Bronze SES 16"s :: Cosworth CAI :: Glow

05-23-2008, 08:44 PM	#13
Great One TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lompoc, Ca Posts: 170	Re: Niteshade When I did mine I taped everything off and I think I did about 7 thick coats of niteshade, and I think 5 coats of clear getting thicker towards the last shade. __________________ '03 Zx3 Zetec Toredor Red Magnaflow catback, FC race short shifter, AEM CAI, 17" Enkie Pk6 with Nitto NeoGens.

05-23-2008, 10:24 PM	#14
focusonfocus Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: toronto, on Posts: 3,773	Re: Niteshade why no for clear coating and no polishing?? even it is small surface, why having dull finish.. well it is upto you but..which one do you prefer?? i googled some pic and this is what it looks like with nithshade only.. and clearcoat and polish __________________ MECP certified mobile installer 2000 Kona Dirt.www.cardomain.com/id/focusonfocus

05-24-2008, 07:07 AM	#16
TJs98GT TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Jersey Posts: 403	Re: Niteshade i just picked some up yesterday, dont know when ill actually get around to doing it though __________________ 1998 Mustang GT, Vortech T-Trim(16#s intercooled), Forged 302 stroker, Stage 2 Ported Polished Heads, Comp XE274 Cams, Ported/Polished Bullitt Intake Manifold, TKO Trans, 03 Cobra IRS swap. http://rides.webshots.com/album/559219923mdvdiw 2002 SVT Focus #3473 of 4788 born on 7-24-02 K&N Filter w/silencer removed, EAP HID headlights, SCT Tuned, CFM Adj STS, Black EAPs

05-25-2008, 01:40 AM	#18
Azwethinkweiz Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Plattsburgh, NY Posts: 3,481	Re: Niteshade A lot of people say to do really light coats.... I found that nightshades is actually really glossy on its own without buffing or clear coating if you apply heavy coats... To the point where it's almost about to sag/run. Takes practice but you'll see what I mean if you try it on like a plastic bottle or something. __________________ 2003 Ford Focus Zx3 - Too many mod's to list in 6 lines 2008 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200C 105th #6 - Just a slow hog...Yeah, right. [FJ] [ Sponsors ] [ Search ] [ Exterior How-To's ] [ Interior How-To's ] [ ax0n's FocusHacks ] [ Guidelines ] [FJ] .

05-25-2008, 10:35 AM	#20
LowZX3on17s Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Stuart / Gainesville Florida Posts: 1,047	Re: Niteshade yea ^ i didnt follow a normal painting procedure for mine either and i think they look good. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3; 2007 Dodge Charger R/T; 2004 SVT Focus (gone) 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 2008 f150 STX It's Great to be a Florida Gator 2006 King of College Sports

05-25-2008, 10:39 AM	#21
01focuszx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Morganton NC, Posts: 794	Re: Niteshade Ok, all i had time to do was the bumper lights, so here it is and thanks for the comments! __________________ Marshall low priced euro foci parts!!

05-25-2008, 10:42 AM	#22
01focuszx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Morganton NC, Posts: 794	Re: Niteshade oh yea, i sanded that stupid writing on the lenses too __________________ Marshall low priced euro foci parts!!

05-25-2008, 11:14 AM	#23
saurin37 TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buxton, ME Posts: 664	Re: Niteshade Looks good man. __________________ Ben P :: '03 Black PZEV 2.3L ZX3 :: FocusSport Stealth Exhaust :: Bronze SES 16"s :: Cosworth CAI :: Glow

05-25-2008, 06:56 PM	#24
Bparks717 TEAM Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida, Palm Coast Posts: 347	Re: Niteshade I night shaded my grill turns i didnt even tape off and they came out amazing and havent worn off at all it sticks really well just dont do ur headlights i made that mistake ill post some pics but ya i didnt ven tape off i just removed it form the car and hit it it came out great __________________ 80 Firebird=sold (sadly) 89 240sx= project 02 focus zts= automatic (TRADED IN THANK GOODNESS) 00 Focus ZX3= euro sex beast in production I live to praise my lord father Christ

05-25-2008, 08:59 PM	#25
01focuszx3 TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Morganton NC, Posts: 794	Re: Niteshade Ok, i'm mad. What is the best brand clear coat to use for niteshade? It's weird cuz i used Krylon clear on my interior parts and it's all glossy. I used the same stuff on my taillights today and it made them gray!!! And yes before anyone asks, i did look at the can before i sprayed. I had to sand all the crapy clear and niteshade off. Now i re-sprayed the tails and need to know what kind did you use? And after this, i agree with zetecgt to get them professionally cleared, but i don't have the money for that right at this momment. __________________ Marshall low priced euro foci parts!!