1993 Cobra Registry

I’ve gotten a few inquiries of how I painted my tail lights. Here is a recap of the process. I’m sure there are more eloquent solutions but this is the route I took.

Supplies:
Aftermarket SVO/93 Cobra tail lenses with taped stripes – http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/ite ... r-93-Cobra
Grey SVO trim paint – http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/ite ... Trim-Paint
Black pin stripe (I used this) – http://www.autozone.com/autozone/access ... ifier=7342
Grey Scotch-Brite – http://3mcollision.com/products/tools/s ... 37448.html
Blue Painters Tape – http://www.homedepot.com/p/ScotchBlue-1 ... dHH4PnSb9M

I started with a set of new SVO/93 Cobra reproduction lenses from Late Model Restoration, a can of SVO grey paint (LMR as well), two packages of black pin stripe, grey Scotch-Brite, and some blue painters tape.

The first thing I did was take the black pin striping and laid it down on the lens on both sides of the grey taped pin stripes, effectively creating a black/grey/black stripe for each of the 6 grey stripes (I needed two packs of tape; 40 feet isn't enough for two lenses). Once the six sets of black stripes were laid down, I removed the 6 grey stripes. I used a razor blade to pick the edge of the grey stripe; once it was pealed up a bit, you can just pull it off with your hands. For the fifth stripe, which is not complete. I laid down an additional 4” strip of pin striping to cover where painted stripe will end.

Next I took my blue painters tape and masked the rest of the lens. The only exposed area at this point should be the six stripes. Now I took my grey Scotch-Brite and scuffed the lens where the stripes were going.

After that it’s just painting. I hung my lenses and applied about 4 coats of grey SVO paint until I felt the coverage was about right. Follow the instructions on the paint can.

I let the lens dry overnight then removed all the pin stripe tape.

Nice write up. Thanks for sharing your procedure.

^^^^
X2. Seems like a lot of work, but from the pics you posted ... worth the effort.

Could you post pictures of the results?

Done this a time or to!
Work at a collision center
I like to clear over the whole lens after i am done protects stripe from being buffed off and uv rays from breaking down the rattlecan smoke paint...

From measuring the lines, and finding posts where others have done the same, we know that the stripes are 1/8" wide. With 3/8 voids in between, making it 1/2" from the top of one stripe to the top of the next. I just found a neat tool I am going to try - it is a pinstripe stencil tape. It has 3 lines 1/8" wide, with 1/8" void in between. This means that if I block off the center opening, i will end up with two lines that are 1/2" from top to top. Line up a second piece so it matches the lower line from the first tape, and again blöock the center, and you have three parallel lines that are all 1/2" from top to top. They also sell single line 1/8" tape so I will see which is easier to do - the overlapping tape as described above, or just adding the third stripe with a different single line stencil tape.

I have this on order along with some SVO gray trim lacquer. I will take pics as I test this out and let you all know if this makes it easy to stripe lenses. Personally I hate the repros with the stripes that are just tape stuck on the plastic. I want as original as possible. I bought a couple of taillight assemblies that were in decent shape, used wet sanding at 1000, then 3000, and finished with a buffing with plastic polish. They look like new... Just need the right color on the dark areas and the stripes! Hopefully this will come out looking good.