How to Blackout Third Brake Light

[generalmgr]

No it doesn't. The zep method is not the same as the BAP lights. Stop spreading lies.

Technically you’re correct, the Zep mod and BAP lights are not exactly the same. Put them side by side though, lights on or lights off, and you’ll see they do look very similar and the performance (luminosity) appears equal.

Sure, an insurance company can point to that modification to try to deny a claim. They are not in business to pay claims, they make money by not paying them. So yes, it’s a slight risk in some states. In PA, fault is generally assigned to the driver of a vehicle that rear ends another vehicle. It’s up to the rear-ender to make and prove a case relieving them of fault, and it is a high bar to cross. We take risks every day, this is just another that you accept, or don’t. A piano might fall out of the sky on my head when I step out my front door, but I still venture out once in a while.

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[2023Area51]

I ZEP'd my third brake light. It's the same procedure as the tail lights. It makes a small difference. It's noticeable, but not nearly as striking as the tail lights. I was going to tint, but went with this to match the tail lights.

FWIW, the third brake light is the same as the F-150. There are a number of black out options out there that will fit the Maverick.

 

[generalmgr]

I went on ebay and bought a 2015 2016 Ford F150 Smoke LED 3rd Brake Light Replacement for $14. Now just need the rain to stop to install it.

Do you know if this fits without modification? If it does I may pick one up myself.

 

[FabMav]

Do you know if this fits without modification? If it does I may pick one up myself.

According to others on this sight, Ford uses the 2015 and newer third brake light on several models including our parts bin raided Mavericks to save costs.

 

[Bwicka]

The lights from a tremor or black appearance package are not that expensive , especially if you eBay the stock ones !
seems like a lot of labor for dimmer lights , especially since spray tint for lenses or film is also readily available.
id go tint and brighter led lamps if you want to burn the labor hours . Or just buy new and resell stocks. Probably only out $50-100 depends what your hourly life rate is worth to you.

 

[CurtisB]

Hello all, in regards to the "Zep process", I have a few questions. Once one has removed the tailight and are ready to "Zep it". Does the entire housing have to be completely submerged in a large bucket to do this? I want to make sure I buy enough of Zepp and a large enough bucket to do it. Do you soak it over night? 2 hours? 30 minutes? Should I do while the wife is out shopping so she doesn't ask me "What are you doing"? How do you rinse out the inside and do you have to use distilled water to rinse it out. I've seen all kinds of suggestions and if I decide to do this, I want to do it right the first time.

 

[NiCkyGee]

Hello all, in regards to the "Zep process", I have a few questions. Once one has removed the tailight and are ready to "Zep it". Does the entire housing have to be completely submerged in a large bucket to do this? I want to make sure I buy enough of Zepp and a large enough bucket to do it. Do you soak it over night? 2 hours? 30 minutes? Should I do while the wife is out shopping so she doesn't ask me "What are you doing"? How do you rinse out the inside and do you have to use distilled water to rinse it out. I've seen all kinds of suggestions and if I decide to do this, I want to do it right the first time.

I would recommend Plasti-Dip Smoke. You can keep adding coats till you get the level of tint you like. Then some Glossifier. The best thing is you can just peal it off if you want to make a change.

 

[Lane]

Hello all, in regards to the "Zep process", I have a few questions. Once one has removed the tailight and are ready to "Zep it". Does the entire housing have to be completely submerged in a large bucket to do this? I want to make sure I buy enough of Zepp and a large enough bucket to do it. Do you soak it over night? 2 hours? 30 minutes? Should I do while the wife is out shopping so she doesn't ask me "What are you doing"? How do you rinse out the inside and do you have to use distilled water to rinse it out. I've seen all kinds of suggestions and if I decide to do this, I want to do it right the first time.

I filled a plastic bin close to the size of the tail light with the Zep. A gallon wasn't enough to cover the lens completely. Left the lens in it for maybe a half hour which took care of half of it, then flipped it around for another half hour so it got the other half. A tap water rinse will leave water spots inside. Walmart has distilled water and a gallon was enough for me for both. Just fill it through the holes and make sure it swishes around really well. I think I blew mine out afterwards with compressed air also, then left them in bright sunlight for a day afterward to evaporate the last of the water inside that will sit in the corners and can't easily be shaken out. More info and pics of what I did are in my build thread here. I've done spray tint in the past and used a plastic film also. This is by far the quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to do the job.

 

[CurtisB]

I filled a plastic bin close to the size of the tail light with the Zep. A gallon wasn't enough to cover the lens completely. Left the lens in it for maybe a half hour which took care of half of it, then flipped it around for another half hour so it got the other half. A tap water rinse will leave water spots inside. Walmart has distilled water and a gallon was enough for me for both. Just fill it through the holes and make sure it swishes around really well. I think I blew mine out afterwards with compressed air also, then left them in bright sunlight for a day afterward to evaporate the last of the water inside that will sit in the corners and can't easily be shaken out. More info and pics of what I did are in my build thread here. I've done spray tint in the past and used a plastic film also. This is by far the quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to do the job.

Thanks Lane! I do have a heat gun that I have used in the past for the corners of a custom job I did on a previous car. I don't like paint spraying. Saw some Youtube videos on it. Been there, done that. You really need a dust, dirt wind free environment to do it. I always had some lint or dust afterwards. I'll just do the "Zep Dip".

 

[dhill59]

Oh boy. Thanks for your very thoughtful contribution, Steve.

The blackout “trick” for the tail lights creates a finished product that is exactly the same as what you would get if you had bought the black out package from ford.

But go on. Tell me how you know better.

Wrong

 

[Adventitious_Agent]

I ZEP'd my third brake light. It's the same procedure as the tail lights. It makes a small difference. It's noticeable, but not nearly as striking as the tail lights. I was going to tint, but went with this to match the tail lights.

FWIW, the third brake light is the same as the F-150. There are a number of black out options out there that will fit the Maverick.

So, I’m assuming it’s not just as easy as the taillights? Can’t just take the third brake light off and dunk it in zepp? I figured the electrical components are more integrated in the housing, so I didn’t want to start unscrewing things, realize it, and then have to put it back together.

 

[Defconxzero]

Can’t you just fill the tail lights partially and do the sides first then flip and do the rest without filling all the way so the reflector cups never get removed? This would seem to get the look while leaving them fully functional without sacrifice… to anyone that’s done the zep trick, could this work?

 

[swerver15]

I tried filling them up only partway up to the lip of the reflector on mine and it did leave some chrome in the base where the bulb sits, but I think either the fumes or whats left as it was being rinsed were enough to strip most of it. I just went back after and covered the cup with silver hvac tape.

 

[Defconxzero]

I tried filling them up only partway up to the lip of the reflector on mine and it did leave some chrome in the base where the bulb sits, but I think either the fumes or whats left as it was being rinsed were enough to strip most of it. I just went back after and covered the cup with silver hvac tape.

how did you accomplish this? small tape pieces thru the holes or did you take it apart?? any pics of final product?

 

[swerver15]

Yes, I cut pieces and carefully put them in through the hole, it was a pain to do but I wanted to. Unless you get right on top of it you cant really tell. If you get right on it you can see where I couldn't angle enough

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