I am planning on painting my center tail light tomorrow if it's nice out. My question is that I have a carbon fiber mitsu emblem that I want to put on and i'm not sure if I should put the emlbem on first, tape it up and paint around it or will it stick on fine on a freshly painted surface? The reason I ask is because the emblem instructions say to clean the surface off good with alcohol before sticking it on and obviously I can't do that after I paint it. Sounds like a dumb question but does anyone have a suggestion?

I say put it on after you paint it. It would be more difficult to put it on and then tape it off. The factory one that is on the front is painted under it, and it has no problem sticking. I would just wait a couple days for the paint to dry, then clean it with a dish soap that removes dirt and oil and then place it on.
-Todd

after u paint it definitly . if u put it on b4 ur paint will probably start chipping around the edges .

Thanks for the advise guys. It's been raining in Jersey all weekend so it looks like i'll have to wait another day to do it.

Be sure to scuff the surface of the light with some 500 grit before you paint it to help ensure the paint will stick. I painted mine, let it dry for a day or so, the hit it with some clear. I got a few little bug footprints in it so I went and wet sanded it with 1500 then buffed the hell out of it. Its a thing of beauty.