does anyone have good advice on painting gen 1 mazdaspeed 3 tail lights

Painting as in spray-tinting?
If so, here's a tutorial over on 6crew (tails are from a 350z though ) for using VHT Nite Shades spray tint.
http://www.6crew.com/forum/showthread.php?8855-DIY-VHT-Nite-Shades-Tail-Lights&highlight=tail+tint

I do believe I've heard about another new kind of spray tint, but I don't remember what it's called off the top of my head.

one easy ghetto way to go:
on my old car, I took the tail-lights off the car, wrapped them in clear vinyl, heat shrunk it, then spray painted whatever on-top of the vinyl. Paint bonds to the vinyl really well.
100% removable and even though I don't have the car, the paint held up for over 8 years (guy that has it now still has those taillights and they're still holding up) no primer, no sealer...
you can see what i did on the rear GO pic in my gallery...

the paint process usually fades within months even when done right. i remember when i painted the tals on my old fc. kinda of a pain in the *** process cause of all the sanding that was involved. turned out nice but started to fade within 3 months or so



get these instead
http://www.lamin-x.com/Mazda-3-Wagon-2007-to-2009-s/960.htm