hey guys a set of taillights i ordered just came,they are used and are slightly scuffed up, is there anyway to restore the origonal look of the plasic?
You can try 1000 grit sandpaper then go 1500 grit then 2000 grit then get some rubbing compound and rub them out really good .Should do the trick!
wontthis take off hte shine or the outside of the light? willi have to apply soem sort of coating to renew it afterwards ?
Quote:
rub them out really good
always a good idea
My car may run 18s, but I can do your taxes in 10 seconds flat.
JBO lube - they would never have enough in stock and we'd never see RodimusPrime again
I would like to know this too. I have some taillights that need attention
Andrew Fletcher wrote:wontthis take off hte shine or the outside of the light? willi have to apply soem sort of coating to renew it afterwards ?
\
no, if done right they will look almost new
04 Ranger EDGE"of insanity"
Sonic Blue 4.0 4x4 32"'s
Another cav? maybe? 2.4? 5spd? only time can tell
I'd actually start with a 320 grit, and take off all the DOT approved crap so wax doesn't get stuck in it, work your way up to a 1500/2000 grit, then a rubbing compound and finally a polishing compound. It will make them shiney and new looking again, when you're done throw a clear on for extra shine and to protect all the sanding you did!
There will always be someone faster than you, but thousands slower and dumber than you.
Try some Meguiers plastic-x
Can you do this to the headlights as well? Mine are pretty worn, and pitted.
Thanks!
I'd imagine you could and it shouldn't be a problem--only thing is on the 2000-2002 headlights you have those little pieces of protruding plastic from where the lense was made, at least thats why i think they're there! and underneath is just empty space, so as long as you don't try to sand those flat--shouldn't be a problem.
Also, as eternal said, plastic-x works pretty good, it's an abrasive designed for plastic... so if you have any minor stuff it'll come off, if it's major though you have to sand.... for things like pitting, I'd start with 320 for sure.. then 400, 600, 800, etc.... Take your time and they'll turn out great.
There will always be someone faster than you, but thousands slower and dumber than you.
Machzel08 (Teh Jew) wrote:Quote:
rub them out really good
always a good idea
Isnt it though!
Yeah you can use 320 to but just whatch out and dont go to hard or to much cause you risk putting deep scratches in the plastic that may not come out!
Blue04sunfire reborn Spring08! Coing sooner than you think!
thanks for the info guys its taillights were talking about here though the headlight lumps will not be a problem
also at walmart in automotive theres a package in a shiny silver bag its a restore kit. used it on some composite lights for my dad 2yrs ago and they are 11 yr old lights they look almost new just takes a while.
I've used a plastic polish made by 3M that works well also as long as the plastic isn't too far gone. If it's started to fall apart though, you'll have to approach it with sandpaper first. The 3M number is 39010, and it's not only for cleaning and polishing, but it's designed to restore optical clarity...blah, blah, blah. (read directly off of the bottle)
My 04 cavy's headlights are pretty much peeling. I'm not even sure what it is that's coming off really, but it looks almost like clear coat flaking off.
F-body Guy wrote:I'd imagine you could and it shouldn't be a problem--only thing is on the 2000-2002 headlights you have those little pieces of protruding plastic from where the lense was made, at least thats why i think they're there! and underneath is just empty space, so as long as you don't try to sand those flat--shouldn't be a problem.
Also, as eternal said, plastic-x works pretty good, it's an abrasive designed for plastic... so if you have any minor stuff it'll come off, if it's major though you have to sand.... for things like pitting, I'd start with 320 for sure.. then 400, 600, 800, etc.... Take your time and they'll turn out great.
those little peices of protruding plastic is their to focus the beam of light from the bulb, with out them the light would just scatter all over the place.
