polishing tail light lenses???

[696pack]

Can someone give me the best method for polishing tail light lenses to bring back the nice clear, shiney look?

 

[Photon440]

How dull are they? I've had great results by using 1000 grit sandpaper, red polishing compound and then Meguiar's PlastX. Try the plastx first, go to heavier stages if it still needs it. But be careful with the sandpaper around ridges and lettering...

They'll shine like new, especially if you can get to the back of the lenses to make sure all the dust is out.

-=Photon440=-

 

[Lowhound]

My tail light lenses had some minor stress cracks or spider webbing I have called it. I cleaned them good & then shot them with a PPG 20/21 clear. It filled in the scratches & they looked practically new.A couple people even asked me what company was reproducing them because they thought they were new.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Can someone give me the best method for polishing tail light lenses to bring back the nice clear, shiney look?

In the latest episode of graveyard cars, they actually did work on a 70 road runner. there was drama surrounding the tailights. He used straight muriatic acid and the soft side of dish sponge then rinsed in water. they looked new when he was done

 

[70rr-brian]

In the latest episode of graveyard cars, they actually did work on a 70 road runner. there was drama surrounding the tailights. He used straight muriatic acid and the soft side of dish sponge then rinsed in water. they looked new when he was done

That is what I was going to say.... See that show for all the complaining people have done about it just answered a forum question.

 

[67 coronet]

i use the headlight restore kits on all my lenzes and clear platic that is dull,works fantastic.meguires kit works good,but there are several kits on the market.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I had some pretty scratched up lenses on my 68 Mustang and I carefully took a cloth and wiped the surface with a strong solvent like enamel reducer. The solvent melts the surface just enough to blend the scratches and leave a shiny look. But you must go carefully so the lens doesn't pick up the particles from the towel. You might try a brush made of a material that is slow to react with the solvent. I'm sure finishing with a polishing compound will make for a nice result, and thinking back I believe that's what I did.

Spraying with clear is an interesting idea, but in my experience the top coat will be adversely affected by the UV. On my 67 Ranchero a buddy polished the trim and sprayed with clear and in less than a years time it's flaking off and has turned yellow. POR makes a clear that supposedly won't yellow. I have some but have yet to try it out.

 

[Sixer]

I've had great success with this-

Works wonders on plastic-and it has more uses-great for buffing out paint scratches, windshield haze etc.