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polishing tail light lenses? #2499558
05/23/18 04:59 PM
05/23/18 04:59 PM
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stickman Offline OP
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Does anybody have any tips on polishing tail light lenses on a 70 challenger. I seen graveyard carz use some water acid mix. Not sure if I want to chance that. Thanks guys.


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EB5 70 U Code RT/SE Shaker Challenger
Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2499595
05/23/18 06:02 PM
05/23/18 06:02 PM
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Portland, OR
shawge Offline
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I used Plast-X by Meguires and a foam pad on a drill to polish my 70's lenses. Came out decent after about an hour's worth of work.

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2499612
05/23/18 06:48 PM
05/23/18 06:48 PM
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So Cal
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Wet sand them and slowly bring them up to 1000 grit or so.

320 grit would just be a guess. Depends how scratched they are.

Then hit them with the plastic polish.

Car polish will work too. So does toothpaste.

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2499670
05/23/18 08:55 PM
05/23/18 08:55 PM
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Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
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I put them in the glass bead cabinet and lightly etch the entire surface, especially the corners.

Then I clear coat them. Spray bomb clear won't work, it takes clear from the gun. It will only take a couple of ounces, so the extra from most any paint job will be more than enough.

The clear will make the surface look shiny and new and it is harder and more scratch resistant than the plastic itself.

We also sand and clear coat the dull headlights in newer cars. Makes most look new again. And they stay that way, unlike polishing.


Master, again and still
Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2499691
05/23/18 09:58 PM
05/23/18 09:58 PM
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I have used mothers mag wheel polish on all my lenses. Even the speedo lens. Works great.

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2499831
05/24/18 02:57 AM
05/24/18 02:57 AM
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Cut and Shoot, TX
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Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: DaveRS23] #2499835
05/24/18 03:15 AM
05/24/18 03:15 AM
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northwest USA
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Originally Posted By DaveRS23


We also sand and clear coat the dull headlights in newer cars. Makes most look new again. And they stay that way, unlike polishing.


What grit do you use on the headlights? Thanks

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: mopars4ever] #2499851
05/24/18 07:26 AM
05/24/18 07:26 AM
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Wichita
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GY3 Offline
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Originally Posted By mopars4ever
I have used mothers mag wheel polish on all my lenses. Even the speedo lens. Works great.


I've done this as well.


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Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2499885
05/24/18 10:24 AM
05/24/18 10:24 AM
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Saw this as a demo at a trade booth, Wenol Metal Polish (Red), works very well.
I suspect it may be similar to the mag polish some have recommended.

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: NANKET] #2499891
05/24/18 10:41 AM
05/24/18 10:41 AM
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Benton, IL.
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DaveRS23 Offline
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Depends on just how bad the surface is. 600 to 1000 typically. It's not real critical. Sand scratches don't usually show through.

But you do need to remove some material. The light's surface will be rough and the damaged plastic needs sanded off.

And have a heat gun or hair dryer handy. The lights are quick to "blush". But a little heat clears them right up.


Master, again and still
Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: DaveRS23] #2499920
05/24/18 11:54 AM
05/24/18 11:54 AM
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California
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I use a metal polish called Wenol. It does a nice job on plastic head light lenses also.

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2499967
05/24/18 01:38 PM
05/24/18 01:38 PM
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Rust Belt, SW PA
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I use a cutting buffing compound, no need to sand first... the compound does that for you.


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Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: mopars4ever] #2499995
05/24/18 02:50 PM
05/24/18 02:50 PM
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Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
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Originally Posted By mopars4ever
I have used mothers mag wheel polish on all my lenses. Even the speedo lens. Works great.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2500021
05/24/18 03:41 PM
05/24/18 03:41 PM
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Calgary, Alberta Canada
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Used the Meguires plastic cleaner and then plastic polish on my 70 Sport Sat lenses . . .took my time, and when thru them a few times, then finally used a cleaner/wax on them . . .turned out perfect. Sure it took more time than the sand paper route, but I did not want to be too aggressive with 1970 lenses ! . . . on my "new" cars, I always give the lenses a going over with the "cleaner/wax" that I would use on the body of the car. Keeps the lenses looking new !!! . . .

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: GY3] #2501262
05/28/18 10:59 AM
05/28/18 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted By GY3
Originally Posted By mopars4ever
I have used mothers mag wheel polish on all my lenses. Even the speedo lens. Works great.


I've done this as well.


So have I; with great success. Anything with light grit that can cut will work. I often use paint polishing compound for things like this too.

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2502043
05/30/18 12:35 AM
05/30/18 12:35 AM
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srt Offline
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Crest toothpaste with damp cotton cloth, follow by wash with detergent, to finish apply plastic polish (novus or mothers plastic polish)

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2502067
05/30/18 01:22 AM
05/30/18 01:22 AM
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Clear cote them!


Have a great day
Iowan

"obsolete is neat"

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: Iowan] #2502086
05/30/18 02:24 AM
05/30/18 02:24 AM
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Ever try removing CC from a lens? The 2 part clear are b**ch to remove if needed.

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: stickman] #2502100
05/30/18 03:04 AM
05/30/18 03:04 AM
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Why would you need to, but if that is a concern use clear lacquer. It is available in an aerosol.


Have a great day
Iowan

"obsolete is neat"

Re: polishing tail light lenses? [Re: shawge] #2502268
05/30/18 03:17 PM
05/30/18 03:17 PM
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MICHIGAN
DynoDave Offline
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Originally Posted By shawge
I used Plast-X by Meguires and a foam pad on a drill to polish my 70's lenses. Came out decent after about an hour's worth of work.


This is what I've used on the instrument cluster lense. Took several treatments to achieve the effect I wanted, but I liked that it was mild.


DynoDave
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