My new tinted taillights and emblems...

I would do that first. If it chips or you don't like the finish you'll have to sand it down then anyways. If it works out well, you'll save some time and frustration...

and I think the blacked out look is pretty nice. Very clean, works well on black.

 

In the spirit of the amazing look from Treehggr's work, I have started the same venture.
I'll post a pick as soon as I'm done with operation Black Emblem


PS Treehggr, what color is the gas electric hybrid decal in your profile pic?
(not trying to copy) LOL I have black already, just wondering as it looks cool and I don't remember seeing it.

 

I was reading this thread, and I had a couple of questions. Is it legal to tint the lights in California. Also would you recommend head and tail or only tail. Second of all do you think it could work with either of the blue prii, if so which one would be better. I'm trying to get black rims, tint my windows, and maybe the lights. thanks.

 

I don't know what's legal there...or here for that matter with respect to tinting lights, but I don't think I would tint the headlights. I think you pull this off with the Spectra Blue but not Seaside. The Seaside color is very cool and nice where SB is more aggressive, at least to me.

 

I finished the Toyota symbol in Matte Black for the rear end.
No sanding, no prepping, except cleaning the symbol with alcohol.

The front Toyota symbol has been removed permanetly.
The Hybrid symbols look a bit more delicate, but I'd sure like to black them out as well.

ZC1

 

ZC1,

Did you put any clear coat over that?

Why did you use "Caliper paint?"

 

That looks pretty clean...now you'll have to let us know about durability.

 

Probably about 5 coats of matte clear coat was sprayed over the shiny caliper paint. All paint came out of a spray can.
I chose matte clear coat because everything black on the car is matte and would have looked really weird with a SHINY Toyota symbol sticking out.

When spraying I put the emblem on a small piece of foam and moved it's position after 2-3 minutes so it didn't get stuck and I removed the glue from the backside first.

When painting the calipers, they turned out so smooth and shiny plus the can boasted durability and stickability so who was I to argue with a spray can? (I know nothing about paint).

I was almost shocked everything went on and dried so smoothly.
The drying time was unreal, less than 10 minutes every coat.

I left it in my basement, where I had sprayed it, for 2-3 days after the final matte coat. When I handled it later, it didn't feel sticky or give me that cheap paint over feel that I've gotten on other spray jobs.

You probably know this, but I think the secret is correct paint applied in multiple thin coats on a properly prepped surface. Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad.


ZC1

 

wow! my exact same set-up... but, props for getting those LED license plate bulbs in! i read somewhere here, that the black plastic part is TOUGH to remove! i have a black one as well, and tinted all over... nice to see a prius with the same setup!

 

very nice blacked out prius. =)

 

.
Badda bing, badda boom!

Here's mine.
I went the hard route and prepped like a mad man.

-Sanded the chrome surface(not off, just to rough it up) with 300 grit
-Cleaned emblem in denatured alcohol
-Used aerosol: self etching primer / gloss black / clear coat (several apps of each)
-3m tape(packaging specifically said for car stuff)

And here it is!
Full writeup and more pics HERE
.

 

very...very nice

 

look cool, however many states there illegal.