How To Fix These Tail Lights?

[ilb3]

Not really fix but perfect ...

I used VHT Nightshades on them, and then I clearcoated them. The clearcoat was duplicolor clear acrylic enamel and had been sitting in my garage for a while in this heat ... so it looked like a layer of dust on my tail lights.

I cleaned them off, tried polishing compound and PlastX plastic cleaner but nothing really cleaned them up. I am trying to get a nice shiny polished look to them.

This is them now:



I can either sand them down all the way and start over or ... ?

[ChrisGT]

I would try lightly wet-sanding them and then polishing. If that isn't bringing them to a gloss, sand it all off and try again. Use a good couple of coats of clear.. then lightly wet-sand the clear and buff it to a shine.

[Double Dizzle]

Exactly what Chris said. Some people even wetsand in between coats. I have done 4 sets of tails and a few other lenses and I will wetsand a couple times.

[ilb3]

Can you explain the process/products for polishing in depth please?
I am a big rookie when it comes to detailing, thanks.

[flamed03vert]

everytime I've seen VHT paint used it turns out like that. Yes you need a wetsand and buff on them.

[Allen Anderson]

Theres a thread on polishing headlights in the How-To forum. Its specifically for the Diamondite Kit.

If you can't afford that toothpaste a terry cloth and elbow grease will buff them to a newer look, but will only last 3-6 months.

Check out this thread if you want longer lasting results.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-new-post.html

[DLB]

Since you are admittedly a "big rookie", I would simply suggest you pick up one of these kits:
3M Headlight Lens Restoration System, headlight polishing kit, restore yellow headlights, 3M plastic polish

You can see on the product page there a pic of a rear third marker light I did and how it turned out.

That kit has simple instructions that you can follow to a T and achieve the same results. Plus it leaves you with a couple of tools that you will be able to use again in the future. I would bet money that will return the lights to perfect condition. That kit doesn't get a lot of attention here because a lot of guys (myself included) just keep the right grit of sandpaper and polish on hand and can do them - but it is a good buy. It can also be found locally if you can't wait on shipping.

I have successfully used the Night Shades, but there is a very fine line on how to get it right. My method was always SUPER thin coats, about 4 coats thick. You have to wait for the product to hit the exact right mark when you respray the next coat, and temperature and humidity changes where that threshold is. Good luck.

DLB

[ilb3]

Thanks guys, how much do detailers usually charge for a restoration? In case I go that route

[DLB]

Thanks guys, how much do detailers usually charge for a restoration? In case I go that route

More than the $20 it would cost you to do it (assuming you use the 3M kit and have a cordless drill).

DLB